Portal
By Valve
Link two surfaces and learn to redirect movement through Aperture's test chambers.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
Inside the game
THE QUICK INTRODUCTION
What’s it all about?
Portal gives you a simple-looking device that connects two places, then asks what movement becomes possible between them. A wall can become a route into another room; falling can become a way to build momentum. The test chambers teach those relationships through situations you can try for yourself.
The writing supplies a dry, increasingly uneasy accompaniment, but the central satisfaction comes from seeing a room differently. It is an accessible starting point for players curious about first-person spatial puzzles, provided they are comfortable navigating a 3D viewpoint. This entry is the original Portal. Portal 2, already present in Discover, is a separate sequel rather than an alternate edition of this game.
Release and platform details
Developer: Valve. Publisher: Valve. Steam edition release date: Oct 10, 2007. Desktop systems listed on Steam: Windows, Linux.
Official sources
Store information checked on 15 October 2026. Availability, device requirements and optional purchases can vary by region and platform.
Artwork and image credits
Image credit: Valve. The official cover and gallery images come from the developer/publisher’s Steam listing. Gallery images represent the PC store edition and may include promotional panels. Mobile editions may look different. Images belong to their respective owners.
Your kind of game if…
You want concise spatial puzzles, a memorable setting and room to experiment with movement.
GET OFF TO A GOOD START
How to play
- Identify which surfaces accept portals.
- Place one portal where you need to arrive and inspect the approach to the other.
- Use a fall when a crossing needs more momentum.
- Observe moving hazards before attempting the full route.