Aperture Science might be trying to tell us something.
We're less than two months away from the planned April 20th release date of the sequel to Valve's beloved Portal, which means that it's time to start seeing some leaked information (or, if you prefer, "leaked" information). Xbox360achievements obtained the full achievement list for the Xbox 360 version of the game, and while most of them are what we've come to expect from Valve (yes, there is one called "Still Alive") one in particular has the rumor mill abuzz about how Portal 2 might tie into the long, long, long-awaited Half-Life 2: Episode 3.
The achievement in question is called "Ship Overboard," with the requirement: "Discover the missing experiment." It doesn't sound like much, right? However, fans of the Half-Life series will likely immediately make the connection with the Borealis, an Aperture Science research vessel supposedly carrying dangerous and experimental cargo. Trying to beat Gordon Freeman's Black Mesa laboratory to the punch, Aperture ignored safety protocols - and Borealis vanished along with all hands.
The discovery of the Borealis in an undisclosed Arctic climate was a major plot point in Half-Life 2: Episode 2 (watch the scene here, in case you need a refresher), with Dr. Kleiner hypothesizing that the ship's experimental cargo could be humanity's key weapon in the struggle against the Combine.
Oh, and the Borealis was also a prominent part of the very first Episode 3 teaser art from five bajillion years ago. There's that, too.
So what could this all mean? Not unexpectedly, Valve fans have already warmed up the discussion engine quite well enough on their own. The sticking point is that Portal 2 is set over a century after the events of the first game, which was itself set well after the Black Mesa incident from the original Half-Life. Even if Chell could find the Borealis, what secrets could it possibly hold?
That is, unless the secret is time travel. Which would be pretty monumental, now that I think about it.
Of course, this could also just be Valve yanking everybody's collective chain as the Half-Life 2: Episode 3 team uses their cut of the Steam fortune to hold donuts-and-beer parties, while snickering to themselves at how everybody actually thinks that they're actually working on the game. Can't rule that out, no sirree.
I'm sorry. I love Valve and their games but they're release pacing is awful and as good as their work is, I just refuse to let this "leaked" bit of news excite me. I officially stopped holding my breath for Valve games long ago.
Rivers Wells: I'm sorry. I love Valve and their games but they're release pacing is awful and as good as their work is, I just refuse to let this "leaked" bit of news excite me. I officially stopped holding my breath for Valve games long ago.
Same here, honestly.
The moment some real information comes out about it is the moment I start freaking out. Not a moment before then.
Rivers Wells: I'm sorry. I love Valve and their games but they're release pacing is awful and as good as their work is, I just refuse to let this "leaked" bit of news excite me. I officially stopped holding my breath for Valve games long ago.
Same here, honestly.
The moment some real information comes out about it is the moment I start freaking out. Not a moment before then.
This, I understand that they take their time so they don't release a half assed game but good lord this is insane. I'll get excited again when Gabe actually explains just what the fuck has been taking so long with this game.
I'm not holding my breath for Episode 3 (although it would certainly be appreciated), but what's 'conversion gel'? Is it the rumored gel that lets you walk on walls? That'd be sweet.
Also, it's nice to see Valve still has their wit and science references on full display here.
Using the Borealis' teleporter time travel device you travel back to Black Mesa moments before the Cascade. Where upong you deliver a large quantity od data to Eli Vance and prevent the Combine from ever having their attention drawn to Earth.
As a result you are written out of existence and Gordon Freeman is just some boring science bod working in a lab in the desert.
The end...
Also, does anyone seriously believe we'll be playing Portal 2 this April?
As much as VALVe games have quality, that quality is pretty old by todays standards, I mean seriously, Source needs an update. So there is no excuse for why Episode 3 is taking so long. In fact Episodic titles are supposed to be shorter, sold for less and take less time to make, VALVe has the first 2 but what about 3? I can't wait for their excuse to be "It's only been 4 years."
Damn, there's not a lot of meat to this. The one thing we DO know about the Episode Three/Portal connection is that the Borealis is involved somehow. All this really tells us is that the Borealis (or some kind of nod to it) is probably also in Portal 2.
VGC USpartan VS: As much as VALVe games have quality, that quality is pretty old by todays standards, I mean seriously, Source needs an update. So there is no excuse for why Episode 3 is taking so long. In fact Episodic titles are supposed to be shorter, sold for less and take less time to make, VALVe has the first 2 but what about 3? I can't wait for their excuse to be "It's only been 4 years."
Any mention of a ship in a Portal game makes it pretty obvious that they're making a link with Episode 3. Still not convinced Ep3 is coming out anytime soon though.
John Funk: Of course, this could also just be Valve yanking everybody's collective chain as the Half-Life 2: Episode 3 team uses their cut of the Steam fortune to hold donuts-and-beer parties, while snickering to themselves at how everybody actually thinks that they're actually working on the game. Can't rule that out, no sirree.
Well of course that isn't going to happen. Critical Miss killed off Gabe Newell. It won't be long before the impact of that is truly felt.
Spoiler: Click to ViewPHA+SSdtIG5vdCBzdXJlIGlmIEkgc2hvdWxkIGFwb2xvZ2l6ZSBmb3IgdGhhdCBsYXN0IHB1bi4uLjwvcD4=
John Funk: Valve yanking everybody's collective chain as the Half-Life 2: Episode 3 team uses their cut of the Steam fortune to hold donuts-and-beer parties, while snickering to themselves at how everybody actually thinks that they're actually working on the game. Can't rule that out, no sirree.
My thoughts exactly, i bet they dont want to make it and move on to new things, which is 'fine in my book.
Honestly some of the other achievements intrigue me more example "the rat man's den" is that the name for the guy in back hallways of the first portal? Portrait of a Lady: Find a hidden portrait who on earth could that be? You Made Your Point: Refuse to solve the first test in Chapter 8 do you have to kill companion cube again?
If I turn out to be right about how Portal 2 ends--leading directly into Half-Life (Episode) 3--I'm going to make sure NO ONE hears the end of it. I've been saying this for several months, and I'll say it again:
Portal 2 needs to end with Chell getting thrown back in time. She wakes up on her back, much like the end of Portal, and suddenly you hear a familiar voice: "Oh my God! Are you okay?" Alyx appears and looks down at Chell (the camera). She then looks off screen: "Gordon! Over here!" Footsteps, then Gordon looks down. Cut to black.
If I'm right, I will demand a prize--preferably a job working for Valve. :-)
VGC USpartan VS: As much as VALVe games have quality, that quality is pretty old by todays standards, I mean seriously, Source needs an update. So there is no excuse for why Episode 3 is taking so long. In fact Episodic titles are supposed to be shorter, sold for less and take less time to make, VALVe has the first 2 but what about 3? I can't wait for their excuse to be "It's only been 4 years."
We're in year 5 going on 6.
Episode 2 came out in 2007...? It hasn't even been four years. : /
Shinx: I think everyone at Valve has a fetish for messing with their fans.
That and hats.
Valve pacing sure is crap but hey... they sure know how to make games. I keep playing all this regular off the shelf games over and over again and suddenly BAM! a valve game. That's really cool.
Leaked Portal 2 Achievement Ignites Episode 3 Rumors
Aperture Science might be trying to tell us something.
We're less than two months away from the planned April 20th release date of the sequel to Valve's beloved Portal, which means that it's time to start seeing some leaked information (or, if you prefer, "leaked" information). Xbox360achievements obtained the full achievement list for the Xbox 360 version of the game, and while most of them are what we've come to expect from Valve (yes, there is one called "Still Alive") one in particular has the rumor mill abuzz about how Portal 2 might tie into the long, long, long-awaited Half-Life 2: Episode 3.
The achievement in question is called "Ship Overboard," with the requirement: "Discover the missing experiment." It doesn't sound like much, right? However, fans of the Half-Life series will likely immediately make the connection with the Borealis, an Aperture Science research vessel supposedly carrying dangerous and experimental cargo. Trying to beat Gordon Freeman's Black Mesa laboratory to the punch, Aperture ignored safety protocols - and Borealis vanished along with all hands.
The discovery of the Borealis in an undisclosed Arctic climate was a major plot point in Half-Life 2: Episode 2 (watch the scene here, in case you need a refresher), with Dr. Kleiner hypothesizing that the ship's experimental cargo could be humanity's key weapon in the struggle against the Combine.
Oh, and the Borealis was also a prominent part of the very first Episode 3 teaser art from five bajillion years ago. There's that, too.
So what could this all mean? Not unexpectedly, Valve fans have already warmed up the discussion engine quite well enough on their own. The sticking point is that Portal 2 is set over a century after the events of the first game, which was itself set well after the Black Mesa incident from the original Half-Life. Even if Chell could find the Borealis, what secrets could it possibly hold?
That is, unless the secret is time travel. Which would be pretty monumental, now that I think about it.
Of course, this could also just be Valve yanking everybody's collective chain as the Half-Life 2: Episode 3 team uses their cut of the Steam fortune to hold donuts-and-beer parties, while snickering to themselves at how everybody actually thinks that they're actually working on the game. Can't rule that out, no sirree.
(via Joystiq)
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