Portal 2: Let Them Eat Cake!

Portal was the surprise hit of 2007. Nobody, really, saw it coming; those who did were undoubtedly struck by its humor and originality nonetheless. It's no surprise, then, that many people are excited about Portal 2. This is the really exciting part of a game's development, when rumors are stirring and developers give out little tid-bits of information to create buzz. Take rumors from Kombo about the introduction of a new AI host similar to GLaDOS named Cave Johnson. Apparently a casting call for voice actors to play Cave Johnson, the recently deceased Founder and CEO of Aperture Science, was sent out several months ago. If you read some of the sample dialogue (not posted here for fear of being burned at the stake for giving spoilers), you'll see that this is gonna be some pretty funny stuff. The midwestern/southern accent, along with the unavoidable eccentricities of being a billionaire forever preserved in a computer, should take Portal 2 in an interesting new direction. I normally am very hesitant when one gaming site claims an anonymous but trusted source for such a big exclusive, but this seems a bit too clever to be fake.

In terms of storyline, I haven't heard too much. The introduction of Johnson hints at a sequel, as GLaDOS is fundamentally "Still Alive," but functionally in pieces (remember all the backup pieces in the basement with the cake at credits? Multiple AIs are possible). Or, maybe they'll go with a prequel, having Johnson be the first true "host" of Aperture Science training exercises/mandatory cremations.

Everyone looking forward to this one?