Portal returns in free new remake of original game, download and play now

Portal fans can now enjoy a full remake of the original game developed in Portal 2’s engine, released for free by modding team Rhubarb & Rhubarb.

The Portal games are often cited as some of the best games developed by Valve, given their ingenuity at developing clever puzzles with interesting mechanics, as well as the subtle storytelling that the games contain.

In case you’re looking for an excuse to replay, or have just finished the games for the first time and want to branch out to new pastures, this new release is sure to quench your thirst.

Portal: Alive & Kicking reimagines the original 2007 game with the improvements and changes made to Portal 2’s Source engine.

While Portal and Portal 2 were both developed using Source, the sequel introduced a lot of new enhancements that Valve introduced with the Left 4 Dead games, such as improved lighting, better textures, and more adaptability with Steamworks.

Portal: Alive & Kicking takes advantage of the Portal 2 engine with these improvements, promising that you can experience the original game with “improved puzzle cues to a carefully designed visual style, as well as countless little details.”

These improvements are even said to rival that of Portal 2, making for a consistent experience if you’re replaying the franchise.

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Portal: Alive & Kicking is the perfect release for hardcore Valve fans

The game includes the entirety of the original Portal’s story campaign, as well as the advanced test chambers that players could challenge themselves to for a high score.

The release also features a new dynamic soundtrack that “combines the styles of both Portal's forlorn drones and Portal 2's reactive scoring”.

Features like Steam achievements and full controller support are also included out of the box, as are quicksaves and quickloads.

Rhubarb & Rhubarb has also teased that new free content may be added to the game in the future, but right now the focus is on perfecting everything from the original Portal.

You can only download Portal: Alive & Kicking for free if you own Portal 2. Interestingly, you don’t need to own the original Portal in order to get this.

Portal was released for PC and Xbox 360 in October 2007 as part of The Orange Box, later coming to PS3 a month later and Nintendo Switch in 2022.

Portal 2 was then launched four years later in 2011, receiving a standalone release this time on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, as well as coming to Nintendo Switch in 2022 alongside the original.

Although the games are set in the Half-Life universe, they’re often considered to be their own franchise, and you don’t need to play one to understand the other.

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