Book Review: Portal 2 Collector's Edition Guide

Portal 2 Collector's Edition Guide

Getting a guide book for Portal 2? Doesn't that take away the satisfaction of solving puzzles for yourself?

Well, in order not to take away your sense of accomplishment, the guide is designed with three spoiler levels that aims to help you solve the puzzles with as little help as possible.

The first spoiler level just provides single sentence textual hints - most of the time that's enough solve the test chambers. The second level provides visual hints in the form of screenshots without text. Finally, the third spoiler level is the full blown step-by-step guided walkthrough with 3D schematic maps, numbered steps and commentary. Also in spoiler level 3, you get additional alternative solutions and information on hidden trophies and rooms.

The guide also covers the multi-player stages in the similar way.

New to this guide is the inclusion of some movie codes. They are QR (Quick Response) code that work like barcodes. You scan them with your phone using a QR scanner app and it will take you to the video walkthrough. That would be the ultimate spoiler. The videos aren't up yet as I'm writing this review, but should be up soon.

Other information included are the trophy guides, hidden areas and things to discover, top 10 quotes from GLaDOS, Wheatley and Cave Johnson (that guy is hilarious), speedrunning guide to Portal 1, the in-depth story of Portal 1 & 2, interviews with Valve crew and some concept art and visuals.

Exclusive to the collectors' guide is the hardcover, two ribbon bookmarks and an expanded art section. Not sure if the interviews are included, probably not because they take up quite a few pages. The interviews are interesting to read if you want to find out more about designing the game and ideas, or how the funny ending song came about.

This is a wonderful guide for a wonderful game.

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Portal 2 Collector's Edition Guide available at:
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon.fr | Amazon.it | Amazon.co.jp

Portal 2: The Official Guide (paperback) is available at:
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon.fr | Amazon.it | Amazon.co.jp

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