THE GAMER: ’Portal Kombat Day’

This is an incredible week to be a gamer. We’re getting some huge releases that a lot of fans have been looking forward to. First up, “Portal 2” from Valve Software.

It’s been a while since we last heard from GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System), the lead antagonist of 2007’s Game of the Year, “Portal.” When we last saw her, she was in a thousand pieces, just scattered, burning wreckage. As the psychotic creation of the mysterious Aperture Laboratories, “doing science” at some grizzly, human cost, we thought she was gone for good. Yet, as the flames died down into smoldered ash, she could still be heard, eerily taunting us with a little ditty by Jonathan Coulton called “Still Alive.” And then, on April 19, 2011, she came back.

The first “Portal” was a masterpiece. The central plot of the game revolved around a series of tests that the player, playing as the female protagonist, Chell, would have to perform in order to survive. Each of these tests required the use of a “portal gun” that could open holes in two different points in time and space, allowing the operator to pass through them, instantly crossing large distances. At the heart of these tests was GLaDOS, an artificial intelligence that would coax the player along with empty promises and, when that approached failed, insults and threats. Of course, by the end of the game, you’ve made a few grim discoveries about the fate of Aperture Laboratories and the true nature of GLaDOS. In the end, you’re left with a lot more questions than answers.

Between “Portal’s” unique gameplay concept, intriguing setting and hilariously dark humor, it’s no wonder it struck a chord with gamers all over the world. Tie in the references to Valve Software’s other hugely popular franchise, “Half-Life,” and, suddenly, “Portal” goes from a neat diversion to a twisted chapter in an overarching story that we haven’t even scratched the surface of. What, really, was going on at Aperture Labs? Where did the staff go? Who is Chell? Who were the other test subjects, and how does it all tie-in with the events that occurred at Black Mesa? Well, looks like we’re finally going to get some answers.

“Portal 2” is available for Mac, PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

MERE MORTALS

Another huge release this week is “Mortal Kombat” (or, “Mortal Kombat 9”).

Available now on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, “Mortal Kombat” is the latest installment in the legendary fighting game franchise featuring many of the characters from the arcade smash hit.

The story takes place sometime after the events of “Mortal Kombat: Armageddon,” but goes back to the era the first three games took place in.

History is being altered as Raiden sends warnings to his past self about the events that have unfolded in “Armageddon.” With Raiden’s enlightenment comes a vastly different timeline, resulting in a series of events that sees some characters radically changed from the original history. As the tournament goes on, players will have a choice between 26 characters to fight as, featuring dozens of moves and fatalities to use in their battles.

Developer NetherRealm Studios have been working hard to make the game as accessible to casual players while giving players who want to delve a little deeper into the game plenty of complexity, style and strategy to work with. Overall, it’s still the same one-on-one fighting experience that fans have come to expect, featuring 3-D graphics on a 2-dimensional plane.

These are just two of the biggest releases this week, causing many to dub April 19 “Portal Kombat Day.” However, you might also want to head to your local retailer to take a look at some of the other big titles that launched this week, including “SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy Seals” on PlayStation 3, “Conduit 2” on Wii and “Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection” for PlayStation Portable.