Steam - the digital distribution platform, not water vapor

[Matthias720]

I was wondering if anyone here has a Steam account, and if so, if you would be interested in a Redwall forum group there. If so, I will make one. It would be great to be able to co-op games together (Portal 2 anyone?).

Also, feel free to discuss anything Steam related here.

[Lily]

I'm mad at Steam, because I tried to download several of their sale packs when they had their 24 hour sales, and I couldn't download a single one. No cheap games for me.

[The Lady Shael]

I have a Steam account but I only got one to play Portal 1 & 2. (still need to play 2 actually....>.<) My sister made me download Team Fortress 2 because it was free but I haven't gotten around to checking it out yet.

[Lily]

I have yet to download Portal 2, but you've made me want to... if Team Fortress 2 is free then I might give that a go too.

[Taggerung_of_Redwall]

Team Fortress 2 is the only game I've downloaded. It's free to play, but the only thing I got out of that game is why I like all other FPS I've played better, for numerous reasons.
I've been wanting to get Portal, haven't bought it yet. Lack of spendable money.

[Matthias720]

I have been playing a large amount of Terraria in my spare time. Unfortunately, it looks like that free time is quickly evaporating.

[Taggerung_of_Redwall]

Portal is free to download on Steam until the 19th. I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't played it yet.

[Matthias720]

Sweet!

Anyone who hasn't played Portal before, go and get this game, like, right now.






Stop reading this post and go get it...









Seriously, stop reading this, and go get Portal....











Fine, I'll just give you a link to it...










Okay, I'll stop talking now...

[Lily]

You know what I think? They need to make Portal 2 available for free. 

[Matthias720]

You know what I think? They need to make Portal 2 available for free. 

They will. When they release Portal 3. >.>

[Taggerung_of_Redwall]

Portal was released for free due to the buzz about gaming in the classroom, as well as information about teachers using Portal for physics and critical-thinking skills, has inspired Valve to offer the software for free.

[Bananagirl]

ok so i just made a steam account and got portal for free, love it  , it makes you feel kind of weird when you get turned around in a portal 

[Lily]

Horray, another convert! Be warned, once you start it's hard to stop until you finish the game. 

[Folgrimeo]

Snagged Portal 1 for free thanks to that offer (even if downloading over 3GB was a pain), and I completed it today. That was fun and a real mind-bender near the end (oy, having to create portals while flying and turning in the air... at that point I stopped looking at the screen and tried to memorize where to shoot because I'm not good with not knowing which way's up). It may be short but it didn't feel like it. Also managed to complete a couple of the advanced puzzles, though it's not easy. I also recommend checking out the developer commentary, some interesting tidbits on how they revised parts of the game to mellow out the pacing and ease frustration. With something as unusual as Portal, they really did need to slowly introduce one concept at a time - and yet it felt just right. I didn't go wild over the things that have become memes and catchphrases (since by definition they were shoved down my throat years ago), but I can see how they'd be memorable.

Half-Life 2 and its episodes are the only other games I've played on Steam (I own them). HL2 I have a soft spot for as it's a first-person shooter I was able to get through most of without cheating. Later I'd get through Goldeneye 64 with ease and eventually make my way through the first Half-Life (greatly abusing my power to save and load anywhere), but HL2 was the first time I felt I could finish a FPS. Call it pacing or few enemies during encounters, but it was nice. And yet as good-looking as HL2 is, I prefer the first game for its more believable architecture (somehow I found being trapped in Black Mesa for hours to be more immersive than any area in HL2). HL2: Episode One I pretty much glossed over, it was good but not something I found memorable. Episode Two caught my attention by finally bringing trees into the universe, and... you know, I would swear Episode Two felt about as long as HL2 did, though that could be because of all the driving and feeling like you really accomplished something near the end.

My favorite part of HL2 Episode Two though was the antlion defense scene. Wow. Even if it didn't seem as hectic as it should have been, the frantic commentary of your comrades helps keep things intense, along with the ominous lights that keep amping up the waves of enemies. And then just when it feels overwhelming, you get an adrenaline rush and feel like you can take on anything. You're gonna wipe them out or die trying. It's rare that I get that sort of encouragement from a game, much less a buzz. Well, except for any game where you kill a big thing with a well-placed rocket, that's always cool.

[Bananagirl]

ok so portal is really short, i finished downloading the game at about 4:20 PM and i finished the game at about 11:30 PM the same day  its addictive