This week on XBLA in Brief, we take a look at Portal: Still Alive. Sure, it seems like an easy choice for those wanting to try Portal without paying for The Orange Box. 15 bucks for the original Portal and 14 new challenge maps? Sounds pretty good to us. The only real question is whether or not the 14 additional maps are worth it to Portal fanatics. At a buck a map, we're inclined to say yes. Check out the latest installment of XBLA in Brief to see what's new in Still Alive.
[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon). [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
Just a word of advice, but for the two people under a rock that you mentioned in the video it might not have been a good idea to put Still Alive in the credits. Then again, I doubt there's someone who hasn't heard it by now.
It was nice getting these maps free on PC, and also the maps from the Portal: Prelude mod for free as well. While they aren't quite as enjoyable without Glados, the actual design and puzzles are as good as any of the ones in the original game. I'd say their alone worth 5 - 10$, and they should really offer them alone.
i have the orange box, but i have this downloading right now. it's a great pick up and play game, and it'll be grand to have it at easy access all the time
Anyone else notice that this is the first XBLArcade game that you can't play on an Arcade unit? The game is 600+mb. Fine for me, but not if all you have is a 512 Memory Card.
Does this mean that full retail releases will be available for download soon, as Microsoft is selling Core/Arcade owners hard drives?
I hate how DLC is just another excuse to make a profit, buying the game alone should be enough to entitle you to all the DCL for free. Bad decision IMO I wont be buying extra maps when I can just go out and buy a new game for double the price. DLC is too expensive
{ Oct 22nd 2008 at 4:45PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Michael Paul @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:57PM
So, no sign of JUST the extra maps as cheaper DLC for Orange Box owners? Dang...
AshTR @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:57PM
So the maps really are the Portal Flash addon ones. Nothing new that PC gamers didn't already get then.
So the only good thing about it is that it's the same price as the PC version and you don't have to get The Orange Box just to get Portal.
PerfectStrategy @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:26PM
The PC version is $20 actually.
AshTR @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:42PM
Hmm...The money to point converter I used must have been off.
Ethan795 @ Oct 24th 2008 9:53AM
And it's only 14 of around 40 of the maps freely available on the PC...
Still it's great to see maps get bought by Valve...
http://portalmaps.wecreatestuff.com/
greg @ Oct 30th 2008 8:58PM
No, a new copy of portal for the PC is $10. It was $20 when it first came out, but they dropped the price.
I just bought a copy for $10, and love the game. Now i just need to finish it.
rip off @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:12PM
Yet more rip off DLC...
Ok so you dont HAVE to buy it but there should have been the option to grab just the new maps.
Ive already bought orange box so I why would I buying something ive already paid for?
Big mistake Valve.
joeybeast @ Oct 23rd 2008 9:28AM
Not everyone's got the Orange Box.
offday @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:29AM
Yeah. Big mistake Valve. This guy already has the Orange Box. Why didn't you contact him first?
Aero @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:12PM
Just a word of advice, but for the two people under a rock that you mentioned in the video it might not have been a good idea to put Still Alive in the credits.
Then again, I doubt there's someone who hasn't heard it by now.
NukeAssault @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:30PM
Id be all over this if i had the space... =(
Xiphias @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:44PM
Make space! It's worth it :)
If you don't already have portal...
Or at least if you like portal a lot, the new maps are cool
NukeAssault @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:58PM
I could totally clear up like 7 gigs exactly... but that specific content cant be downloaded again... ever. >_>
john paul @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:59PM
Why can't you download them? There is a download history in account management in the marketplace blade.
NukeAssault @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:26PM
It wouldn't matter. Those items aren't on the market place any more period. W/e though. I plan on getting a bigger HDD soon anyways.
Chris @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:55PM
So for a relative Portal noob. If I already complete a challenge stage, I can't go back later and get a lower time? Otherwise it tells me I Cheated?
dicknjane @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:00PM
watching this made me get soo excited. thanks Richard. another $15 spent. lol
ogvor @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:13PM
It was nice getting these maps free on PC, and also the maps from the Portal: Prelude mod for free as well. While they aren't quite as enjoyable without Glados, the actual design and puzzles are as good as any of the ones in the original game. I'd say their alone worth 5 - 10$, and they should really offer them alone.
AjDaChipmunk @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:32PM
Aww man! Portal is about the only thing I play in Orange Box. Oh well... might go play some Rock Band 2 because of the credits though... Still Alive!
Jody Anthony (gamertag and psn: JodyAnthony) @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:54PM
i have the orange box, but i have this downloading right now. it's a great pick up and play game, and it'll be grand to have it at easy access all the time
zebwinz @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:16PM
Anyone else notice that this is the first XBLArcade game that you can't play on an Arcade unit? The game is 600+mb. Fine for me, but not if all you have is a 512 Memory Card.
Does this mean that full retail releases will be available for download soon, as Microsoft is selling Core/Arcade owners hard drives?
Tegolin @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:54PM
Already bought it for PC, for custom maps, for 20$ Man...
emirabal @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:05PM
Just more of my f***ing money down the tubem thanks a lot xbla, i hate you and love you at the same time.
Brian @ Oct 23rd 2008 7:05AM
I'm kind of pissed off at this.
I bought The Orange Box mainly for Portal at £35. Then this comes out which it basically Portal and a few new maps, For cheaper!
If I knew this would be coming out I'd SO not buy The Orange Box.
offday @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:31AM
You could have seen it coming. They released Portal by itself over Steam right when the Orange Box came out.
Brian @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:39AM
Yeah I could kind of see it but I wasn't sure.
El Capitaine @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:16PM
When did you buy it? Portal: Still Alive was announced at E3, and they said there would be new stages and achievements.
And as an arcade title, there is absolutely NO WAY it would be more than 1600 MSP.
And for the UK,
the current price of 1200 MSP is £10.20
but even if it was 1600 MSP, that would still only be £13.60.
You could've known...
Brian @ Oct 24th 2008 7:58AM
I bought it before any news on Portal: Still alive.
Dan @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:58PM
I hate how DLC is just another excuse to make a profit, buying the game alone should be enough to entitle you to all the DCL for free. Bad decision IMO I wont be buying extra maps when I can just go out and buy a new game for double the price. DLC is too expensive
Fafhrdd @ Oct 23rd 2008 8:21AM
I'll buy it!
I'm a day late but I can't wait!!!
Toff74 @ Oct 27th 2008 3:15PM
Great Game. Never played Portal before so bought it and completely hooked. WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!