The Linux Game Box #6: ASCIIPORTAL

This week we're gonna talking about a game that is totally and unmistakable AWESOME. Asciiportal is a portal game developed by Joe Larson and inspired by Portile, Super Serif Bros and Portal by Valve. 

Title: ASCIIPORTAL
Genre: Puzzle (portal game)
License: MIT
Website: http://cymonsgames.com/asciiportal/

Installation requirements --> 9

There's no need for installation. You just download the Linux version and double click the bin. That's very straightforward and a always nice when you see something so simple with a Linux game.


Gameplay fun --> 10

Asciiportal is a portal game and that mean that's all fun. You're basically stuck in rooms and must evade by casting portals and walking through them to proceed on your way. Portals are like space wormholes but limited in range by the two way-points that the player places in two location of the map. Once placed, the two portals creates a tunnel as if the reality itself is bent, and the player can travel through it. There are several elements like barriers, spikes, ladders and so on that force you to be cunning in order to clear the levels.


Graphical appeal --> 7

As the name suggests, Asciiportal is completely text based thus every graphical element is in ascii. But don't fool yourself, this doesn't mean asciiportal isn't graphically cute, on the contrary the graphics made the game look stilish and enforce the sensation of being trapped inside some computer guts.

Sound delight --> 9

I'm so glad that this time I can say without a doubt that the sound snd music of the game are great. Music is composed by Steve Fenton. I've played a dozen of levels and I've listen only to two tracks: one for the menu and one for the levels. The music does really a great job in making this game even more enjoyable. The track for the levels is especially nice and creates a sci-fi atmosphere. By the way it reminds me a lot of the kind of music used in the game X2 The Threat. The sound is also noticeable, especially the voice effect that accompanies the instructions / advises of the guiding computer at the beginning of every level.

Story enchantment --> 3

As far as I've understood the story has no practical use in asciiportal. Maybe it is revealed further into the game but as far as I played there was scarce glimpse of it. It seem that whoever your character is, you must escape and to do so there's only one way: reach the exit of each level figuring the way out, overcome all sorts of hazards and of course use portals.

Bonus point --> 8

The game is totally open source and this means you're not just permitted but also encouraged to take a peek of the code and exploit it. Joe personally wrote me that "ASCIIpOrtal is released MIT open source. It's the closest to a "do whatever you want" license i could find. I'm of the opinion that the world is a better place when everybody shares. ;)".
If you're willing to hack but you're not capable or not comfortable with messing with the code, then there's a map editor, provided by Mads Lund, you can download here and use to create your own level. The editor is a MS Windows .exe but it works flawlessly (or so it seems to me) under wine.

OVERALL SCORE --> 9.4

Maybe my opinion is biased by the fact that I'm a total nerd but asciiportal and its creators are way cool.
Just try this game and drop me a line about what you think.
Below you can see asciiportal in action.