Thinking with Time Machine

Thinking with Time Machine is a single-player mod for Portal 2 developed by Stridemann, and released by SignHead Studio. It was initially released to Steam in April 2014, for Microsoft Windows, and OS X systems, available freely to existing owners of Portal 2.

Thinking with Time Machine
Developer(s)Stridemann
Publisher(s)SignHead Studio
EngineSource
Platform(s)Windows, OS X
ReleaseApril 18, 2014
Genre(s)Puzzle-platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay
Main article: Portal (series) § Gameplay
Chell holds a clipboard in her left hand, allowing her to use the game's time travel mechanic.

In Thinking with Time Machine, the player controls Chell, the protagonist of the official Portal games.[1] In addition to the series' "portal gun", it also gives the player a tablet-like "time machine", allowing them to record their movements, and summon a double who performs those motions. The player can only use a single recording at a time, with previous recordings being deleted when a new action is taken. Recordings can perform all the actions a normal player can, and the player can also stand on their recording, allowing them to reach higher surfaces.[2]

Most of Portal 2's testing elements are included in the mod, with new mechanics being taught through an instruction board.[2]

Release and reception

Thinking with Time Machine was released for free to existing owners of Portal 2 via Steam on 18 April 2014 by developer Stridemann and publisher SignHead Studio.[3][4] It was one of the top 200 Steam games in the year of its release.[5]

The game was received positively by multiple PC gaming reviewers.[6][2] Alice O'Connor of Rock, Paper, Shotgun positive in a positive 2014 review "for those lacking in some of the social niceties, it’s perhaps the closest we’ll get to playing Portal 2 co-op.” PC Gamer reviewer Christopher Livingston similarly praised the mod, stating that "working with your past self will seem almost as natural as working with a co-op partner".[2] Though writer for Wired Bo Moore praised the overall design of the puzzles, he noted that some lacked "Valve polish".[7] Additionally, both Moore and Livingston criticised the mod for not featuring enough portal-based puzzles, especially in initial levels.[7][2]

References
  1. Good, Owen S. (April 26, 2014). "Mod adds time travel to Portal 2". Polygon. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  2. "Mod of the Week: Thinking With Time Machine, for Portal 2". PC Gamer. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  3. "Thinking with Time Machine on Steam". Steam. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  4. "Portal 2 mod Thinking With Time Machine now available on Steam". PC Gamer. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  5. "Steam Gauge: Measuring the most popular Steam games of 2014". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  6. O'Connor, Alice (April 23, 2014). "Portal 2 Mod Adds Time-Travelling Legs". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  7. "This Portal 2 Mod Lets You Play Against Yourself". Wired. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
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