Thinking with Time Machine: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:28, 1 October 2024

Revision as of 15:34, 9 October 2024

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{{Short description|2014 modification for Portal 2}}

{{goodGood article}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}

{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}

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| publisher = SignHead Studio

| engine = [[Source (game engine)|Source]]

| platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]|[[OS X]]|[[Linux]]}}

| released = April 18, 2014

| genre = [[Puzzle-platform game|Puzzle-platform]]

| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]

}}

'''''Thinking with Time Machine''''' is a 2014 [[Video game modification|modification]] for ''[[Portal 2]]'' developed by Ruslan "Stridemann" Rybka, and released by SignHead Studio. The player controls [[Chell (Portal)|Chell]], the protagonist of the [[Portal series|''Portal'' series]], wields the [[portal gun]], while the gameplay revolves around the concept of a tablet-like [[time machine]] that is also controlled by the player. The tablet allows the player to record their movement and replay the recordings, creating a double that performs the recorded tasks. Additionally, the mod allows the player to see their own legs by looking down.

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{{main|Portal (series)#Gameplay}}

[[File:ThinkingWithTimeMachine_ClipboardScreenshot.jpg|thumb|alt=A screenshot of Thinking with Time Machine showcasing the time machine tablet|The player controls a tablet-like time travel device throughout the game.|left]]

Like the [[Portal series|''Portal'' series]], ''Thinking with Time Machine'' is a [[Puzzle-platform game|puzzle-platform]] modification for ''[[Portal 2]]'' played from the [[First person perspective|first-person perspective]], in which the player must solve puzzles in "test chambers".<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Moore |first=Bo |date=April 28, 2014 |title=This Portal 2 Mod Lets You Play Against Yourself |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/04/thinking-with-time-machine/ |access-date=August 4, 2024 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030025025/https://www.wired.com/2014/04/thinking-with-time-machine/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2014 |title=Thinking with Time Machine |url=https://kotaku.com/games/thinking-with-time-machine |access-date=August 4, 2024 |work=[[Kotaku]] |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804180052/https://kotaku.com/games/thinking-with-time-machine |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="pcg">{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Christopher |date=April 27, 2014 |title=Mod of the Week: Thinking With Time Machine, for Portal 2 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/mod-of-the-week-thinking-with-time-machine-for-portal-2/ |access-date=November 11, 2017 |work=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> Throughout the game, the player controls [[Chell (Portal)|Chell]], the protagonist of the ''Portal'' series.<ref name="ply">{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=April 26, 2014 |title=Mod adds time travel to Portal 2 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/4/26/5656526/time-travel-mod-portal |accessdate=November 11, 2017 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> The player uses the [[portal gun]] that can create two ends of a portal, colored orange and blue.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |date=July 11, 2007 |title=The Orange Box E3 2007 Preshow Hands-On - Portal |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-orange-box-e3-2007-preshow-hands-on-portal/1100-6173775/ |access-date=August 4, 2024 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804180052/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-orange-box-e3-2007-preshow-hands-on-portal/1100-6173775/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game also features other ''Portal'' mechanics such as buttons, cubes, and laser fields.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name=":3" />

In addition to the portal gun, the player is also given a tablet-like "[[time machine]]" in their left hand.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name="ply" /> Looking down at the tablet allows the player to record and control their movement, including walking, jumping, and picking up objects.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="pcg" /> After recording themselves, the player user can playback the recording, which summons a double who would perform the selected motion.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name="ply" /> Only one recording can be played at a time, although it can be replayed infinitely.<ref name="pcg" /> This allows the player to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.<ref name="rps">{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Alice |date=April 23, 2014 |title=Portal 2 Mod Adds Time-Travelling Legs |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/04/23/portal-2-mod-valve-time-travel/ |access-date=November 9, 2017 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804180131/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/portal-2-mod-valve-time-travel |url-status=live }}</ref> Recordings can perform all the actions a normal player can, and the player can also stand on their double, allowing them to reach higher surfaces.<ref name="pcg" /> After performing a new action, the previous recording is deleted.<ref name="pcg" /> Another feature of ''Thinking with Time Machine'' is the ability for the player to see their own legs by looking down, which is not available in the ''Portal'' series.<ref name="pcg" /><ref name="rps" />