When comparing Portal vs BombSquad, the Slant community recommends Portal for most people. In the question“What are the best Android games for Nvidia Shield?” Portal is ranked 2nd while BombSquad is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose Portal is:
The main mechanic of the game revolves around solving different puzzles using a handheld portal device - a device that can bend space and time to create a wormhole through which you can move.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Requires solving spatial and physics based puzzles using portals
The main mechanic of the game revolves around solving different puzzles using a handheld portal device - a device that can bend space and time to create a wormhole through which you can move.
Pro Humorous telling of a dark story
Portal is known for its humor. Even years after it's been out in the world people are still quoting and referencing it in everyday situations.
Pro The game leaves clues to a deeper story
Throughout both Portal games there are hints left in various forms that fill in more of the story, including information about Chell's personal history.
Pro Innovative gameplay
Portal has won multiple awards for innovative design. Using a first person view and portals that allow one to traverse a room through one placed in one location to the other placed in another location to solve puzzles was and still is a very unique game design.
Pro Created one of the most memorable characters in gaming history - GLaDOS
GLaDOS, or Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System, is the main antagonist of Portal games. She is voiced by Ellen McLain with the voice later processed to sound closer to how a text-to-speech program would synthesize a voice.
GLaDOS initially functions as a guide to the player and is only later revealed as a manipulative, narcissistic, sinister and passive-aggressive character that wants to kill the protagonist.
GLaDOS is the main force that moves the humorous yet dark narrative of Portal series with her remarks being simultaneously hilarious and terrifying.
Pro Character-driven
Even though the only organic sentient being in this game is the player's character, this game features some of the most memorable and intriguing characters in fiction or in gameplay. GladOS obviously, but also the drone robots that sweet-talk the player to a sudden death (and then forgive you when you dismantle them), the clues left behind by former test subjects, the abandoned hints of what the lab used to be like. It tells a story without telling a story, and immerses you more than most other games can ever hope to achieve.
Pro Made people fall in love with an inanimate, virtual object
The game made people emotionally attach to The Weighted Companion Cube and feel uncomfortable when later forced to incinerate it.
Pro Merges first-person shooting mechanics with platforming and puzzle-solving
Portal uses an engine that was meant for a first person shooter and creates puzzles that need solved through various stage with the use of platforming. While not the very first game to merge platforming with and FPS the puzzle aspects make it unique in that no other game had done this specific combination yet.
Pro Making it halfway and completing unlocks new content
Getting to the halfway point in Portal will unlock challenge maps and finishing the main story will unlock advanced chambers.
Pro The sequel contains an AI powered by a potato
If that is not funny, then nothing is.
Pro Fun party game mechanics makes this a great game to play at gatherings
BombSquad consists of a bomb-based multiplayer gameplay (somewhat similar to Bomberman) that is geared towards a party setting. Throwing bombs at your friends (who are in the same room or online) while you simultaneously try not to get blown up yourself makes for great fun, especially in large groups.
Pro Intuitive mechanics allows the game to be an easy title for anyone to pick up and play
The mechanics of the game are quite easy to understand. This way anyone to wants to try it out will not have to deal with hours spent learning the game. Great for a party with many players, or across multiple different platforms from home, since just about anyone can grasp the mechanics quickly.
Pro Good cross platform compatibility means you can play against anyone, no matter what platform they play on
BombSquad can be played cross platform on Android, iOS, PC, and Mac. This way no matter the platform the player prefers, they can still play with their friends.
Pro Large amount of game modes keeps the gameplay fresh
There are 12 online and local co-op missions in the game that allow for up to 4 players. There are also player modes (like tower defense or football), as well as a couple of PvP modes, such as free for all or versus. Sadly, the only single player modes are co-op modes played with an AI.
Pro Innovative and versatile control schemes allows for a wide selection of methods of controlling the game
BombSquad is one of the few games that has succeeded in innovating android gaming. You can set a tablet or an android TV as the screen, while using the remote app on your Android or iOS phone as the controller. They connect to each other via WiFi, which allows for responsive controls over wireless.
Pro Momentum based gameplay allows the player to utilize their movement to their advantage
During gameplay, players can utilize their momentum by hitting harder or throwing farther. So starting from one side of the screen and then reaching the other as you perform a throw or hit can give a lot more strength to their throws or hits.
Pro Immersive mode support allows the game to display in full while being played on an Android device with a software navigation bar (stock Android)
BombSquad has built-in immersive mode support for playing games in full screen on devices that have software navigation keys. This is done by the OS, hiding the navigation bar while playing the game, so it plays fullscreen.
Pro Heaven for modders
With some Python knowledge, making new gamemodes is very easy. With a little more work, you can totally flip the game on its head with new characters, powerups and maps.
Pro SHIELD games and K1 compatibility affords the game even better performance
Bombsquad is SHIELD games compatible and nVidia K1 optimized. This makes for a good game to test out the graphics capability of a Shield device or the Nexus 9, as the K1 offers 50% more detailed graphics.
Cons
Con Somewhat short
Portal takes 2-3 hours to complete which means it can be completed in one sitting. This may not be enough game for the money for some people and should be considered before purchasing.
Con Portal mechanics not used much to their best ability
Certain parts of the game sees the player using portals to manipulate sentry guns that fire rockets in order to progress in that stage, Mechanics like this make for a really enjoyable way to manipulate ones environment but sadly are not used too often.
Con Outdated graphics
The game was released in 2007, making it somewhat of an older title, because of this the graphics will not be on par with modern releases.
Con Not enough support for IOS
Con Not much fun when played alone
While this game has a single player campaign, playing alone isn't as much fun as the multiplayer. Single player mode tends to be extremely difficult, which does detract from the enjoyment of the gameplay. Also, being that the game is designed to be played in groups, to play against 3 other AI players in not as fun or as unpredictable as playing against human players.