Tag Archives: Portal

“Your test times show you are going too slowly.”

I have to admit that I’ve never played the popular video game Portal or any of its sequels, but I like to think I know a good diorama when I see one. I’ve been entirely too verbose this weekend, so I’ll just let this lovely image by eldeem do the talking. I will say that I really like the lift-arms under the platform, and the placing of the various elements in this shot is perfect.

Your test times show you are going too slowly.

According to the Ryan you can even actually play this course yourself, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Portal 2 Testchamber: Overall View

The Companion Cube featured in this diorama was designed by Gaelen Mibeck (MooseBot) and used with permission by the builder.

Portal Weighted Companion Cube breakdown

As always it has been a pleasure being your weekend DJ here at TBB. Until next time, the long distance dedication line and the first time caller line remain open.

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“I’ve really let the place go since you killed me, by the way. Thanks for that.”

We could fill pages and pages here on The Brothers brick with excellent LEGO models inspired by the Portal universe. In fact, we have. Joining the ranks of wonderful LEGO Portal builders is Gabe Umland, whose dilapidated Portal 2 test chamber includes some excellent technological decay — something hard to do well in LEGO.

Dilapidation

Speaking of GLaDOS, I quite enjoyed seeing Pacific Rim last week, and I’m surprised we haven’t seen more LEGO creations inspired by giant robots fighting giant sea monsters from another dimension…

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Atlas & P-Body by eldeeem

Despite heroic contributions from Xbox friends like Tyler, I never quite managed to get all the way through co-op mode in Portal 2. Still, it was really really fun, and I always enjoy seeing LEGO renditions of the paired test subjects Atlas and P-Body. This version by Ryan H. (eldeeem) is at a larger scale that enables him to add plenty of detail and color contrast. I’m rarely a fan of rubber bands as critical structural elements in LEGO models (yes, even in official sets), but by adding them around other bricks, Ryan has softened the corners of several blocky areas rather nicely.

Atlas & P-Body

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“How are you holding up? Because I’m a potato.”

Alex Kobbs of Kooberz Studios posted his LEGO Portal video back in December, but it looks like we only featured the behind-the scenes video. I recently finished Portal 2 again, and Alex posted about the video on Flickr, so now seems as good a time as any to highlight the main video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0R8Qpjl8Q

Since this is Part 1, I wonder when Part 2 will be out. Can’t wait!

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Portal 2 Stop Motion

Alex Kobbs (Kooberz) is no stranger to LEGO stop motion films. His works have been featured here in the past. His latest film based on the Portal 2 video game has just become public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0R8Qpjl8Q&list=PL6CE54910432EFBFC&index=1

If you like it, be sure to cast your vote in the Machinima Interactive Film Festival.

Be sure to check out his Youtube Channel for his other films.

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Portal on CUUSOO

I have seen a lot of discussion with respect to CUUSOO, in particular in terms of licenced themes, but generally about feasability of the entire program. Everyone obvioulsy has their own opinions, but personally I think the program is brilliant. We have to keep in mind that this is all in Beta right now and obvioulsy the kinks will be worked out over time. I think the true success of CUUSOO will be through highly thought out projects that are designed with the program in mind…just throwing any given LEGO model on there won’t work in most cases.

Now with all that being said, Team Jigsaw, made up of Five X Five, Brickthing, Lego Junkie, and Arkov have just published a new project based on the hugely popular Portal video game series. I have to be honest, I have never played the games, but I am familiar with the design and aesthetic of it, and one thing is very clear with this project…these guys put a tonne of thought and effort into all aspects of the design!

Well here we go again!

The thing that really stands out with this for me, is that they have really designed it with different types of possible sets in mind. This wouldn’t be restricted to just a simple building set. One of my favourites is the LEGO boardgame version.

Portal Board Game (Cuusoo)

Be sure to check out all the details and ideas. If nothing else, these guys deserve a pat on the back for their planning and development. I think they have set the bar rather high for the design effort of future projects. This had previously been denied by the CUUSOO team, but their perseverance got it reconsidered and approved for voting.

Well done guys!! I really do think that this is a project that could be a huge success!

CUUSOO PROJECT

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Portal 2 test chambers in Lego

These two recent Portal 2 test chambers by Haypro (above) and [LJ] (below) shows off the dilapidated testing environment that many players of the game found memorable.

Portal 2: Rotten Test Chamber

Portal 2.

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Top 10 most popular LEGO models of 2011

We’ve taken a look at the top LEGO news stories of 2011, but The Brothers Brick is really about the great LEGO creations built by LEGO fans all over the world. Let’s take a look back at the ones that proved most popular over the course of the year.

  1. Plum B’s LEGO Gears of War Lancer assault rifle with firing action and motorized saw blade

LEGO Gears of War Lancer assault rifle with firing action and motorized saw blade

  1. Nick Jensen’s life-sized LEGO Halo sniper rifle
  2. Hannes Tscharner’s (aka Marshal Banana) 10,000 piece LEGO Star Wars Jawa Sandcrawler

diorama

  1. Will Page’s Portal turret
  2. Michael Thomas’s LEGO Settlers of Catan design
  3. ShoBrick’s post-apocalyptic stormtroopers
  4. Nathaniel Shields’s LEGO Halo grunt
  5. OneLug’s 7-foot LEGO Tower of Orthanc from Lord of the Rings

The Last March of the Ents

  1. Ben Caulkins’s life-size LEGO Halo Master Chief armor
  2. Chris Malloy’s LEGO Minecraft diorama

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Portal 2’s Chell and companion cube in Lego

Tyler (Legohaulic) built Chell and a companion cube from Portal 2 to go along with his Lego Atlas and P-Body.

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Still Alive

Obvious Portal references aside, I was drawn to this ship by Jack McKeen (madLEGOman), because of the interesting shapes I saw in a thumbnail. The cockpit shape is really quite beautiful, even if it can’t actually fit a fig inside. It reminds me of a compound eye, as it’s covered in various facets. The angular engine pods contrast with the bulbous cockpit for an interesting build overall.

Even after you're dead...

I’m not goint to lie, the cake looks great, so delicious and moist.

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I’m going to work on the assumption that you’re still alive

Chris McVeigh (powerpig) joins the Portal 2 fun with his take on Wheatley, everyone’s favorite talking ball on a track, wonderfully voiced by Stephen Merchant.

Wheatley

(For the record, it’s hard picking a good Wheatley quote that isn’t a spoiler.)

UPDATE: Chris has posted an instructions file compatible with LEGO Digital Designer, along with a helpful cross-section of Wheatley in his setup photostream:

LEGO Portal 2 Wheatley cross-section

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Finally, a nemesis worthy of my vast intellect

Following his amazing GLaDOS from Portal 2, Brandon Bannerman (Catsy) miniaturizes a turret to minifig-scale (or near enough), alongside an adorable custom Chell fig, complete with ASHPD.

Chell, ASHPD and Turret

For all of you out there who’d like your own turret to keep you company during the long twilight of civilization, Brandon has kindly posted instructions.

Turret Breakdown

Another interesting thing about Brandon’s design has been watching it evolve based on feedback from fellow builders. See the earlier iterations here and here, together with the comments that inspired the final version.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.