Portal

Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal puts players in control of Chell, who wakes up in an empty laboratory and must complete physics-based challenges using the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device. Guided by the AI GLaDOS, You navigate test chambers by creating portals between two flat planes, utilizing momentum redirection and conservation. With its innovative gameplay and witty narrative, "Portal" offers players hours of unique puzzle-solving experiences as they uncover the mysteries of Aperture Science. Special thanks to GamePhobias for pulling together a lot of the information below.

• Release date: 10-10-2007
• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Valve & Electronic Arts
• Platforms: Android, Linux, MacOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, Xbox 360

Triggers for this game

Crime

• Being Held Against Will

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  It is unclear in the game whether you were a volunteer for the tests or was kidnapped. The game can be read either way.

  • Can't be avoided

• Explosions & Bombs

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  The plasma/electricity balls disintegrate with a faint smashing sound, although it is not violent-sounding. The boss battle involves explosions via guided rockets being aimed at the player. These are used to damage a sentient computer. The explosion lasts for a split second and is always warned against by a series of distinctive beeps.

  • Can't be avoided

• Guns & Shooting

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  Turrets are present in some levels and shoot at you. You hear gun noises and bullet trajectories shown on screen. If you are hit, blood spatters appear. The main game mechanic revolves around a portal gun that is shaped somewhat like a gun and fires portals. It is not used in-game as a weapon.

  • Can't be avoided

• Human Trafficking & Forced Labor

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  Though it is implied that you may have originally been a volunteer, you are not given the option to leave the testing areas. Instead, you are forced against your will to complete the tests or die.

  • Can't be avoided

• Kidnapping

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  It is unclear in the game whether you were a volunteer for the tests or was kidnapped. The game can be read either way.

  • Can't be avoided

• Misc. Crime

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  It is implied that the Player Character was a voluntary test subject for a legitimate laboratory. However, the plot reveals that the computer took over and began testing subjects in violation of ethical medical procedures.

  • Can't be avoided

• Murder

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  The computer antagonist intentionally gassed scientists with a neurotoxin prior to the events of the game, which is briefly discussed in-game. The computer antagonist attempts to murder you several times throughout the game.

  • Can't be avoided

• Stalking

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  You are constantly being watched by the antagonist throughout the game, who will often comment on your actions.

  • Can't be avoided

• Torture

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  The computer administering the tests is intentionally verbally abusive towards you. The statements are occasionally threatening or insulting, including the computer condescending to or mocking you repeatedly throughout the entire game. Examples of this are being called fat, dumb, etc.

  • Can't be avoided

Death & Loss

• Death of Parent

  Heavily implied

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  It is heavily implied in the game that your parents have been killed

  • Can't be avoided

• Drowning

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  There are levels where toxic water is underneath you. If you fall into it, you die. Also touching the water harms you.

  • Can't be avoided

Gore

• Blood

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  Blood spatters occur on walls if you are hit with bullets from turrets

  • Can't be avoided

Hate & Discrimination

• Ableism

  Sanism, going 'crazy'

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  Ratman (unnamed in game) is a scientist who participated in the lab prior to the events in the game. After the computer took over, he made several lairs throughout the game that the player can choose to explore. These lairs contain assorted phrases (the cake is a lie, help, etc.) and tally marks that show his eventual despair and descent into madness. These places are not required to be explored and can be avoided by not exploring the areas after the main testing part of the game.

  • Is avoidable

• Appearance Discrimination

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  The computer administering the tests is intentionally verbally abusive towards you. The statements are occasionally threatening or insulting, including the computer condescending to or mocking you repeatedly throughout the entire game. Examples of this are being called fat, dumb, etc.

  • Can't be avoided

• Dehumanization & Objectification

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  You are reduced to nothing but a test subject throughout the game. Generally, you are not referred to by your name but by you testing number. After finishing testing, the computer administrating the tests states that you should be disposed of because you are no longer of use. It is implied that there are other test subjects also being dehumanized in the game, but you do not meet them.

  • Can't be avoided

Non-Sexual Abuse & Violence

• Bullying

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  The computer administering the tests is intentionally verbally abusive towards you. The statements are occasionally threatening or insulting, including the computer condescending to or mocking you repeatedly throughout the entire game. Examples of this are being called fat, dumb, etc.

  • Can't be avoided

• Emotional Abuse

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  The computer administering the tests is intentionally verbally abusive towards you. The statements are occasionally threatening or insulting, including the computer condescending to or mocking you repeatedly throughout the entire game. Examples of this are being called fat, dumb, etc.

  • Can't be avoided

• Harassment

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  The computer administering the tests is intentionally verbally abusive towards you. The statements are occasionally threatening or insulting, including the computer condescending to or mocking you repeatedly throughout the entire game. Examples of this are being called fat, dumb, etc.

  • Can't be avoided

• Psychological Abuse

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  The computer administering the tests is intentionally verbally abusive towards you. The statements are occasionally threatening or insulting, including the computer condescending to or mocking you repeatedly throughout the entire game. Examples of this are being called fat, dumb, etc.

  • Can't be avoided

• Stalking

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  You are constantly being watched by the antagonist throughout the game, who will often comment on your actions.

  • Can't be avoided

Phobias

• Acrophobia

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  This game involves a lot of heights, and using heights to progress to checkpoints. You use momentum to jump and will have a first-person experience of falling. However, you are equipped with boots that allow you to land without injury from an indefinite freefall, so there is no risk of gore or death from falling.

  • Can't be avoided

• Claustrophobia

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  You begin the game confined to a “living cell.” There are environmental hazards that can crush the player. The game has some small spaces where you must crouch to move.

  • Can't be avoided

• Hemophobia

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  Blood spatters occur on walls if you are hit with bullets from turrets

  • Can't be avoided

• Misc. Phobias

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  Electrophobia (Fear of electricity) — Some of the levels involve a ball of plasma-like electricity that is lethal to the player, but there are no graphics depicting electrocution. Pyrophobia (Fear of fire) — There are three major instances of fire in the game: Incineration of companion cube, Incineration of personality cores (boss battle), Attempted incineration of the Player Character, during which the Player Character (first person) is slowly lowered into a fire. All fire situations are necessary to progress the game’s plot.

  • Can't be avoided

• Necrophobia

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  Some levels involve floors that are acidic and cause death. The death visuals show the acid on screen for about a second before restarting the level.

  • Can't be avoided

• Nyctophobia

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  After the main testing areas are finished, the platforming areas become shadowed and dark. They are never so dark that you cannot see the environment around you, though.

  • Can't be avoided

• Thalassophobia

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  There are levels where toxic water is underneath you. If you fall into it, you die. Also touching the water harms you.

  • Can't be avoided

Traumatic Events

• Misc. Traumatic Events

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  You are forced to throw away the companion cube, which you supposedly had a fondness for. Though it is not shown in-game, the antagonist states that often subjects form attachments to the cube and are traumatized by its destruction.

  • Can't be avoided

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