I just got an email from Black & Decker announcing their new VPX System of power tools.  Don’t know how I wound up on their mailing list really…or why they think I should be interested in this VPX system…  But I did, and they do, so I got the email.

And my first thought upon opening the email and seeing a picture of these new VPX System power tools is that they look like something Aperature Science would make.

I spent most of the day today playing Portal… Absolutely fantastic game, but it’s awfully short - I’ve already finished it. Well, not exactly.

There are now a number of “challenge maps” that I can try… Basically the same maps that I’ve already done, but with the difficulty ramped up a bit.

And, like most games these days, there are a number of hidden things to unlock… Achievements to earn, and director commentary tracks, and things like that.

I’m interested in the “challenge maps”, but I really don’t think I’m obsessive enough to go after all the achievements and stuff.

The game is probably between three and five hours long…depending on how quickly you get the hang of the portal system, how clumsy you are, how bad your timing is, etc. It took me around three hours to finish it.

There is a wonderfully dark sense of humor that permeates the game. The mechanics of the portal system are tons of fun. The level designs are very challenging. The whole thing was just plain great. It’s been a while since I played a game that satisfying.

I wish it was longer… But at the same time, there is something to be said for ending on a high note. I’d rather be left wanting more than have a game drag on to the point where it isn’t fun anymore.