Portal

This section details the controls for Portal on PC and Xbox 360, specifically for Test Chamber 00.

PC Controls:

Xbox 360 Controls:

Test Chamber 00 (TC00) Walkthrough:

Commentary Nodes:

• The first commentary node, featuring Gabe Newell, explains how to interact with commentary nodes. To listen, aim at the symbol and press the 'use' key. To stop, press 'use' again. Some nodes may pause gameplay to show something.
• The second commentary node, featuring Kim Swift, discusses the importance of players understanding portals and how seeing oneself through a portal helps grasp the concept.

Wait for the countdown timer. After the countdown, a computer voice will begin.

Computer Voice: "We hope your brief detention in a relaxation vault has been a pleasant one. Your specimen has been processed and we are now ready to begin the test proper. Before we start, however, keep in mind that although fun and learning are the primary goals of our enrichment center activities, serious injuries may occur. For your own safety and the safety of others, please refrain from touching (bzzzzzzzzt). Por favor bord˜n de fellar. Muchos gracias de fellar gracias. Stand back, the portal will open in three, two, one."

Commentary Node:

• The third commentary node, featuring Kim Swift, explains that early playtesters thought portals led to other dimensions. To counter this, the first chamber uses a visually unique room as a reference point for when players first step through a portal.

Turn left and press the 'use' key to activate the first commentary node.

Turn right and press the 'use' key to activate the second commentary node.

You can interact with the environment in the initial room. Using the toilet (R1) will cause it to flush and trigger a computer voice. You can lift and throw the clipboard (R2), or drop it (R1). The coffee cup can be lifted and thrown to break. The radio can be picked up but has no other function.

Turn and run through the portal.

Immediately outside the portal, turn left. Commentary Node: [Ray Raitt] discusses the player's orange jumpsuit, designed to reinforce their status as a test subject and help them stand out visually. The mechanized heel spring was added to explain the player's ability to survive long falls.

To your right, you will see a giant lighted panel that describes the hazards for each test. These panels appear in every test chamber. Turn left and follow the path.

Along the path, look up to see a Commentary Node: [Realm Lovejoy] explains that the frosted glass observation rooms create a feeling of being watched while maintaining mystery, and serve as practical light sources.

Head through the door to find a button. After entering, turn right to find another Commentary Node: [Robin Walker] explains that Portal serves as an extended player training exercise, introducing gameplay tools and layering them into increasingly difficult puzzles, starting with the button/box mechanic before introducing portals.

In this room, you will find a button and a tube that dispenses cubes. The door opens when you stand on the button, but closes when you step off. To solve this, take an Aperture Science Weighted Storage Cube (using R1, the use key) and place it on the button (pressing R1 again to drop it). Head through the now open door.

[Computer] "Excellent. Please proceed into the chamberlock after completing each test. First, however, note the incandescent particle field across the exit. This Aperture Science Material Emancipation Grid will vaporize any unauthorized equipment that passes through it - for instance the Aperture Science Weighted Storage Cube."

Head through the Aperture Science Material Emancipation Grid and into the elevator.

Test Chamber 01 (TC01)

As you proceed, the panel will light up, indicating no hazards. Head to the ledge and drop off.

Commentary Node: After falling, look to the right of the portal. [Paul Graham] discusses how players are made to feel safe within portals, with objects being pushed or teleported out as a portal closes rather than being destroyed.