When comparing Portal vs Goat Simulator, the Slant community recommends Portal for most people. In the question“What are the best split-screen PS4 games?” Portal is ranked 35th while Goat Simulator is ranked 45th. 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
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
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 4 player local coop
Pro Physics-based sandbox design allows for a ton of mayhem
Goat Simulator is a basic sandbox game where the point is to just cause as much destruction as possible. The actual physics of this sandbox are actually designed to be buggy, which can lead to plenty of ridiculous outcomes.
Pro Stumbling across the many easter eggs adds a nice level of "happy accidents"
With the smattering of easter eggs hidden around the open world, it can be quite fun to try out different methods of finding them.
Pro Multi os support (Linux/Mac/Windows)
Pro Wacky freestyle parkour movement makes for a satisfying way to traverse the game
It's extremely satisfying to land that triple back-flip combo when running around the open environments of the game.
Pro Intuitive controls makes for an easy game to pick up
It does not take long to figure out the basic controls of the game. This way just about anyone can pick it up in no time, allowing themselves to enjoy the gameplay over worrying about learning difficult controls.
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 Becomes boring without buying DLCs
After exploring all there is to see in the game, it can become quite dull to the point that you will probably not play it that much anymore. There are DLCs available to extend the gameplay, though they do cost extra money.
Con You quickly run out of things to do
There is not much to do once you explore the game for a minute or two. It is mostly an open sandbox, but it can get repetitive due to how little there is for you to do.
Con Quirkiness of the game is definitely not for all audiences
Some people will take one look at this game and wonder "what's wrong with kids these days". It certainly isn't for everybody thanks to the quirky and pointless gameplay and purposefully horrible graphics