Rating of
4.5/5
Unique and Fun Puzzle Game
Nick - wrote on 01/01/19
Bridge Constructor Portal is a puzzle game where your objective is to complete 60 test chambers by building bridges to deliver all vehicles successfully. In this iteration, ClockStone Software got a license to be able to use Portal gadgets, which makes this game unique and fun.
Story: There isn't much of a story to this game. You're a new employee at the Aperture Science Enrichment Center given the assignment to deliver vehicles safely in test chambers. As you progress, you're congratulated and given meaningless office flare and words of wisdom.
Presentation: The game is visually good, and levels are easy to comprehend. There isn't a lot of audio, but when you run your build and attempt to deliver vehicles, a nice soundtrack is played. The vehicles have test subjects driving them, and they tend to bail and die at any stressful moment which is entertaining. Luckily, you only need to deliver the vehicles and no ones cares about the occupants.
Game Play: During many of the beginner levels you are given quick tutorials to help you learn the game. This game allows using a controller or mouse. I don't recommend using a controller. Some levels require a pretty extensive build, and you'll be making very fine tweaks to your levels which in my opinion can only be done easily with a mouse. There is a basic, small set of components to use to build bridges. Levels focus on three game mechanics you have to grasp. Vehicle routing, bridge engineering, and timing. The hardest levels for me were the ones that required precise timing using switches to open up clear paths for the vehicles to make it to the end. There were two levels that had this mechanic which I think I may have cheated on a bit, but any solution is a solution as long as your whole convoy is delivered. Trying out different builds is easy with five save slots per level, so you don't have to worry about losing anything you've built.
As you build levels, it tracks how much money you've spent. This doesn't appear to be used for anything except telling you how much you've wastefully spent when you complete the level. The developer should add an online leader board for each level for the most efficient builds. This would add a lot of replay value for the obsessed people out there.
Originality: A unique puzzle game where Portals are used in combination with bridges to make a fun experience. The physics and puzzle aspects are good and make for good game play.
Replay Value: There are basically two objectives to every level. First, deliver the standard set of 1 to 3 vehicles safely. And if you're up to the challenge, deliver the whole convoy which can be up to 12 vehicles. The game added several more hours of enjoyment for me with convoy delivery, since you have to tweak, or even rebuild your level to accomplish delivery of more vehicles successfully. After fully completing a level, I don't see much reply value to go back to play it again, but I think that would be the case with any puzzle game. There is a Steam workshop, so if you really love this game, go build your own levels, and play other contributions.
Recommendation: If you like puzzle games, this game is a must play. It has a combination of fun and challenge. If you want to stick to just fun, you don't have deliver the convoys if you don't want to. However, I did find two of levels quite challenging and difficult to complete even the basic vehicle delivery. I ended up playing 22 hours, completing the game with all achievements. One achievement did bork for me, but quitting and re-launching the game corrected the problem and I got the last achievement. Well worth the $10 is costs to buy it.
Hours Played: 22 hours
Achievements: 100%
Ratings:
Story: 2/5
Presentation: 4/5
Game Play: 5/5
Originality: 4/5
Reply Value: 3.5/5
Overall (not an average): 4.5/5
