It’s been over a decade since players last took the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device in their hands to explore the weird world of Valve’sPortalgames. With its memorable characters and thrilling puzzle-platformer gameplay, few franchises have left a mark on players the way thatPortalhas. As fans continue to clamor for a third entry in the series, Valve should consider moving away from the characters and conflicts established withthe firstPortalgameand transporting players back in time to the glory days of Aperture Science forPortal 3.
Exploring the depths of the Aperture Science facility during the latter half ofPortal 2gave players more details about the bizarre history of the organization. Throughout this section, players uncover audio logs from late CEO Cave Johnson explaining how Aperture Science was at the height of its power during the 1950s and 60s before beginning a rapid and disastrous decline, and it’s this tumultuous time period that would make a perfect setting forPortal 3. With Arkane’sretro-themedDeathloopshowing that this era’s aesthetic still holds an appeal for many gamers, letting players explore Aperture Science during the swinging 60s would be the perfect way to shake up thePortalseries.
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With No Half-Life 3 on the Horizon, Portal 3 Has Little to Gain from Moving the Timeline Forward
One surprise for players of the originalPortalwas discovering references toHalf-Life’s Black Mesa research facility scattered throughout the game. This unexpected connection between the two franchises was reinforced inHalf-Life 2: Episode 2as players searched for a vanished Aperture Science research ship, the Borealis, that could hold the clue to overcoming the Combine forces once and for all. Unfortunately, what looked like a looming crossover never came to fruition, as changes inthe development process at Valveseemingly put mainlineHalf-Lifegames on an indefinite hiatus. With these story threads unable to come to fruition whileHalf-Life 3remains in limbo, Valve has little to gain narratively from moving forward in thePortaltimeline and should, instead, look to the past.
Even disregarding the droppedHalf-Lifeconnections, the ending ofPortal 2leaves little room for moving the series’ timeline forward. Not only have protagonist Chell and her AI tormentor GLaDOS come to an uneasy truce, but it is strongly implied throughoutPortal 2that the story takes place tens of thousands of years in the future. Concocting a way to bring Chell and GLaDOS into conflict yet again forPortal 3could feel like a retread of the previous games, and it could also prove difficult to adaptPortal’s signature puzzle-platformer gameplayto a world where most traces of civilization are likely long-erased.
Aperture Science’s Heyday Could Shed New Light on Fan-Favorite Characters
SettingPortal 3in the past would let players see Aperture Science at the height of its power and allow Valve to further explore some fan-favorite characters. The hilariously menacing audio logs from J.K. Simmons’ Cave Johnson were one ofPortal 2’s highlights, and a 1960s-eraPortal 3could give players the chance to finally come face to face with the off-kilter CEO. Johnson’s assistant Caroline could also be given time in the spotlight, letting players learn more about the woman who would eventually lend her personality to the mocking andmenacing AI GLaDOS.
The rivalry between Aperture Science and the respectable researchers at Black Mesa would be perfect fodder for aPortal 3narrative. The game could put players in possession of the original portal gun prototype as they sought to protect it from falling into Black Mesa’s hands in a story full of comedic corporate intrigue. Exploring Aperture Science’s test facilities in its heyday would also open the door to introducing some clever new puzzle mechanics.
SettingPortal 3in the past would be a great way for Valve to expand the series’ lore, revisit some classic characters, and even add exciting new gameplay elements. If successful, it could even help open the floodgates to anew era of Valve sequels.
