I didn’t get around to HL2:Ep2 today, opting instead to continue messing around with Portal.

I ran through it again with the developer commentary on, and it was much quicker this time, only taking two and a half hours and a chunk of that was just waiting while listening to the commentaries.

Then I tried some of the ‘bonus maps’, which are split into two types: advanced levels, and challenges. The advanced levels take the last six puzzle levels and make them a lot harder, restricting where you can place portals, making the necessary timing on jumps tighter, removing cubes and floor spots, etc. They are indeed tougher, but I managed to get through four of them without too much frustration.

The challenge levels take those same six puzzle levels and leave the layout intact, but now you have to complete them within certain limits on the number of portals placed, steps taken, or time elapsed. These challenges are *much* tougher and I’m not sure I’ll be able to do most of them, based on my few puny attempts tonight.

I can’t waste too much time on Portal right now though. Episode 2 still awaits!