While consumers and developers are both likely unsurprised, the delay must have been a hard decision for Valve to make. Portal 2 is undoubtedly one the most highly anticipated games of 2011, if not the decade, and there’s like nothing Valve likely wants more than for people to play their game. It has been over three years since the original Portal and Half-Life: Episode 2 were released (feels more like ten), and while Left 4 Dead has been amazing in the meantime it’s hardly a replacement.
At least everyone can keep a sense of humor about the scenario:
While Valve’s ultimate role in the doom of humanity is still unclear, it will likely coincide with the improbable release of Half Life: Episode 3. Take heart that this will not be occurring soon.
As much as Valve likes to joke about ‘Valve Time’, the delays very likely has much more grounded causes. With the flurry of delays leading into the 2010 holiday season, early 2011 is beginning to look like a very crowded release slot. Perhaps the delay also has to do with Valve’s schedule of announcements, after all they have a number of surprises lined up for the coming months.
February release or April release, Portal 2 is looking to be game of the year material. With a full campaign and cooperative campaign, each said to be around four times as long as the original Portal, come release day will be a glorious day for all gamers.
What are your thoughts, Ranters? Are you frustrated by Valve’s constant delays or are you willing to accept it so long as Valve continues to maintain a high standard of quality? Any conspiracy theories to explain the two month delay?
Portal 2 is scheduled for release on April 20, 2011 in North America and Australia, and April 22 in Europe. Portal 2 is coming to PC, Mac, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms.
