Comments (40) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Deckard1 #1 2 years ago

    I've said this in the forum, but in no way shape or form does that voice over work. Game looks amazing other than that though.
  • Cadence #2 2 years ago

    Please, please tell me that voice isn't going to be in the actual game.
  • rashes #3 2 years ago

    I think it works in a pixar kind of way. Nice to have a bit of company on your journey.
  • klassobanieras #4 2 years ago

    Is that Stephen Merchant?
  • Goodfella #5 2 years ago

    Yes it's Stephen Merchant, it was reported last week that he provides the voice.
  • Tzetrik #6 2 years ago

    I dont mind the actor, but it needs processing - sound s way too clean. Im surprised they released this with it dry.
  • reelbigkris #7 2 years ago

    I thinkt hat this works very well. I was wonderign whether Portal would work as a stand alone game as people had recieved the first one at such an amazing price. A companion that discusses a greater story than before will make the game feel much more polished. However i still hope that there are still writings on the wall which people are able to use to piece together some additional info...

    I think the voice needs an effect to it, something subtle but not auto tuned like glados. perhaps a tinny voice, or a bit of stuttering, a bit like max headroom.
  • HarryPalmer #8 2 years ago

    The presentation is amazing, it really looks stunning. But Merchant's voice just doesn't work here imo. I liked the isolation of the first, and worry that they are over elaborating such a brilliant stand alone game and NOT CONCENTRATING ON FINISHING EPISODE 3!!!!
  • Lukree #9 2 years ago

    This seems more than proof of concept this time!
  • Spency #10 2 years ago

    I think Stephen Merchant is totally aces but I've got to say his voice work in this isn't really doing it for me. Also, he calls it a flashlight. IT'S A TORCH!
  • StooMonster #11 2 years ago

    Much as I enjoy Stephen Merchant's work, I am not sure his voice works for me in Portal 2; although I think his Bristol burr accent sounds great to non-Brits.

    I'll wait until the game comes out to reserve judgement.
  • AnsemsApprentice #12 2 years ago

    The voice sounded rubbish at first, because Smerch sounded a bit nervous, but it was good towards the minute mark and after, when he was babbling. I like it, but it is too human for Portal. It might just be half finished though.
  • GitSomE_UK #13 2 years ago

    I'm sorry but this Barclays Ad voice of Merchants just isn't doing it at all.

    I cannot wait for Portal 2 but that voice :(
  • rashes #14 2 years ago

    anyway it's just a voice. probably works better outside the UK. The game looks class.
    I'm happy
  • crustyjuggleruk #15 2 years ago

    Im fine with the voice, tbh im just GLaD they've chjanged it from the E3 trailers.
  • Ryboy #16 2 years ago

    This is just XXX Video Game porn. I cannot wait for this game. Well, I can obviously wait because I have no choice, but y'know. I think Steven Merchant sounds great. It's going to be hilarious!
  • Rubbish_Russ #17 2 years ago

    I actually think Mr Merchants voice works for me - Portal 2 needed something a little different, rather than being a carbon copy of the first game - and I think adding this character will add something new to our journey into the labs or wherever we go. Really looking forward to this and having a rematch with GlaDOS (?).
  • BritishBlue1 #18 2 years ago

    This looks just too good, can't wait.
  • ChthonicEcho #19 2 years ago

    I think Merchant's performance lacks a bit of emotional dedication to spoken lines. As it is, Wheatley sounds a bit too dry for an excitable and chatty character. And before someone helpfully points out that he's a flock of binary data and therefore must sound artificial: he is a personality core. But perhaps the way these lines are spoken is a placeholder.

    Other than that, I also think his voice should be post-processed to sound a tiny bit more electronic, though Valve always add such touches last, so I'm sure that is on their list.
  • sneetch #20 2 years ago

    @rashes
    anyway it's just a voice. probably works better outside the UK. The game looks class.
    I'm happy


    Yeah, I really like the voice but then again I'm from Ireland; if they used an Irish actor I'm sure I'd be thinking "that doesn't really work" too.
  • sneetch #21 2 years ago

    @ChthonicEcho
    Other than that, I also think his voice should be post-processed to sound a tiny bit more electronic, though Valve always add such touches last, so I'm sure that is on their list.

    Although I like it I think that would be good; GLaDOS sounds electronic and so do the turrets so it'd "fit" better (I think the turrets are actually my favourite video game characters).
  • arcam #22 2 years ago

    But then I thought the voice in the original was really grating too

    You monster.
  • HoraceGoesSquiffy #23 2 years ago

    Why do people always insist that robot voices has to be shoved through a phaser/pitch shifter or whatver to be 'robotish'. I quite like that it's just his plain voice, works well for me.

    As for the trailer - well, nothing much about the actual game is there, but I'm definitely interested!
  • wayn3h #24 2 years ago

    I'm still impressed with how well the source engine is holding up. It really is a testament to those code monkeys at Valve.
  • Martin #25 2 years ago

    Isn't this the same footage that was released a couple of weeks ago?
  • I\'mListening #26 2 years ago

    They can't be serious with that voice-over,surely? I hate it. I can't imagine playing that game with him whining in my ear with that mock-cool/ chav tone.
  • Snaggletooth #27 2 years ago

    I don't have any problem with Stephen Merchants voice, I think it will definately add to the overall game experience and atmosphere... Let's face it, Stephen Merchent, co-creator of one of the most genius and funny shows ever to have graced any TV and Valve, the company that brought us HL, HL2, L4D etc....will make it work, i'm certain of it! This could potentially be a brilliant partnership to bring something fresh to all of us gamers. I am not about to question their creativity.

    Bring it on!
  • up_the_ante #28 2 years ago

    I think Merchants voice works well. Valve keep going for the totally unexpected in Portal, and you've got to say Stephen Merchants voice in this game is....totally unexpected.
  • Ryboy #29 2 years ago

    Don't know what everyone's problem is. The more I listen to his voice the more perfect for the role it sounds.
  • beedyG #30 2 years ago

    Merchant's voice works well as a contrast to GlaDOS - not much gameplay but great trailer for setting the mood: excited
  • Sonic_D #31 2 years ago

    I was negged into oblivion when I said I didn't want Merchant doing the voice over when the story was put up last week.
  • Lemming81 #32 2 years ago

    I don't mind Merchant's voice on the whole, but I'm just not sure this is the right game for it as is. Things should be synthesised and sound more 'robot' because that's Portal, not because all robots should sound like that. It'd be just as jarring if we heard Peter Cullen aka Optimus Prime in this game. It just doesn't fit the universe as we've come to know it.

    But that wasn't the only thing. What about GLaDos herself? She sighs now? Since when did she get so human herself?
  • cristoflanga #33 2 years ago

    Great! I kinda like merchant's voice. It brings a weird childlike feel that I think just adds to the irony.
  • smithdown #34 2 years ago

    Blige, the brizzle accent is getting some abuse here. Come to Bristol and hear it for yourself, Smerch has a lovely soft burr, not chavvy at all. I think he sounds great, I get sick of hearing nothing but plummy accents, or northern accents when advertising companies want to sound 'earthy'. As for the voices/robots being too humanistic, remember they've been alive in the ruins of that place for a looong time, perhaps it's to show their AI has evolved?