The Fun Is A Lie
The following is an actual quote from Valve regarding their opinion on DLC: "We make more money because more people buy it (the game we're selling), not because we try and nickel-and-dime the same customers."
Gee, isn't it great that there are still devoted video game developers that respect their customers and don't try to rip them off any chance given? WHAT'S THAT!? I CAN BUY PORTAL 2 FOR $60+ AND THEN BUY AN ADDITIONAL $85 WORTH OF HATS, SKINS, AND ANIMATIONS! Well they stayed true to their word, $2 for a hat is way more then mere nickels and dimes. They now make their money from robbing their customers blind.
Obviously people can argue that you don't have to buy any of it and that it's all cosmetic, affecting gameplay in no way, shape, or form. But that's the biggest insult of all... After stating that they would not stoop to such a low level... they made all this useless content BEFORE the game even came out. Then on DAY ONE released it all and made it worth more then the actual game. If that isn't a slap to the face of their fans I don't know what is. It's not like they couldn't have just as easily made it all free and got an enormous amount of praise and gratitude from their fans. Considering the sequel is already SIX TIMES as expensive as the original. A better game by all means.
Why was the first one better? Because it was originally included with four other games in a bundle known as The Orange Box. Which at the time, cost as much as Portal 2 does by itself now. Another reason? Because nobody knew what it was, so all the humor and memorable moments became so... memorable. Now they are just trying to force the same charm and wit, and it's kind of sad really. I'm not saying the game is bad, but it's obvious Valves intentions weren't to make another good game. They were just to further cash in on the success of the first one.
Sure they added Co-op and I won't lie I had fun playing it. But what kind of replay value does a PUZZLE GAME HAVE!? Why would I buy different hats for my character just to play the same exact puzzles with someone different? It's not like the answer is ever going to be anything different.
To conclude I will tell you a story. I went to a midnight release with a friend of mine who really wanted this game. The same night the new Mortal Kombat game was being released and they had it set up for people to play... Punch line? I had more fun playing Mortal Kombat in line waiting to buy Portal 2 then I had playing Portal 2. Second punch line? I later learned the story mode in the new Mortal Kombat game is actually longer then Portal 2's story. That's right a FIGHTING GAME has a longer story then a game that is solely based on it's story mode with no replay value whatsoever, whereas the whole idea behind the fighting genre IS replayability. I just wish my friend got Mortal Kombat instead of this piece of crap... At least we'd still be playing it. Whereas the only fun to be had with Portal 2 at this point is seeing how much dust it's collected by now. And that doesn't even sound like fun.