Console-owning Portal 2 fans have been cursed, as that amazing game has no sequel or DLC in sight. Fortunately, we now have Quantum Conundrum, an Xbox Live Arcade first-person adventure that (mostly) evokes Portal’s brain-bending puzzles and humorous overtones.

Much like Valve’s masterpiece, you play as a voiceless character making your way through a series of obstacle-filled rooms with the help of an environment-altering device and an omniscient guide providing off-the-cuff instructions. (In this case, it’s your uncle Fitz Quadwrangle, a mad scientist who’s become trapped in another dimension.) Quantum’s Interdimensional Shift Device gives your character the ability to shift the environment between multiple states, so you can lighten the weight of a large obstacle by engaging the Fluffy Dimension, turn a cardboard box into a switch-pushing brick with the Heavy Dimension, slow the speed of a falling chair in the Slow Motion Dimension, or reach higher ground by activating the Anti-Gravity Dimension. Unlike Portal, you’re rarely in control of all of your tools at once, so you may have to traverse a room using just a Fluffy and Slow Motion Dimension, which will allow you to pick up a now-light safe, toss it over a chasm, and ride it to safety.

Ike is usually holding one of the capsules you need to shift dimensions, and he’ll disappear once you take it from him.

For the most part, Quantum builds up your aptitude by slowly introducing new concepts, but a few facets remain frustrating throughout. Near the end, you’ll have to cross pits by making “sine waves” that require a level of physics and reflex mastery far greater than most of the game’s grounded levels. Beyond that, the level of challenge isn’t quite as natural as in Portal: whereas Valve carefully placed portal-friendly walls and gels to encourage players to find their own solutions, Quantum Conundrum’s larger suite of tools requires that Quadwrangle give you some hints outright. Though the challenge is a bit skewed, and gravity-puzzle moments are a bit more irritating than normal, there’s still far more positive than negative in this experiment.

Portal has become a gaming treasure for its unique setting and characters almost as much as its gameplay, and Quantum strikes that same balance by having crazy scientist/negligent uncle Quadwrangle spit out non sequiturs and slight insults. He’s not quite as subversive or quotable as GLaDOS in Portal or Wheatley in the sequel, but it’s pretty funny to hear Quadwrangle (voiced by John de Lancie, who played Q on Star Trek: The Next Generation) talking about bizarre experiments or the many odd pets that have roamed the mansion’s halls over the years.

The DOLLI (Dynamic Object Linear Ligation Interface) spews copies of various items with a cute/disgusting vomiting motion. We recommend watching in the Slow Dimension.

Also rife with character, his home is filled with paintings that shift with the dimensions (see gallery) and a cute furry helper named Ike. In fact, the friendlier environments of Quantum — with tables you can ride via gravity shifts, plushie bank safes you can toss at nametag-wearing creatures, and paintings of Quadwrangle family members — may actually be more conducive to driving your quest than the original Portal’s sterile laboratory. On the rare occasion that a puzzle is more rage-inducing than clever, the artwork, insults, and interactions with Ike add extra motivation.

With a few frustrating puzzles, some unclear solutions, and no cooperative play, Quantum Conundrum isn’t quite as polished as Portal 2 — but it’s a very close homage at a fraction of the price. If you’ve been aching for more drops from Valve, this game will satisfy your quandary.

One of Quantum Conundrum’s most memorable stages has DOLLIs spitting out rainbows of household items you have to jump on. Slow Motion Dimension is highly recommended.

PUBLISHER: Square Enix  •  DEVELOPER: Airtight Games  •  ESRB: Everyone  •  MULTIPLAYER: None  •  ACHIEVEMENTS: Many conundrums  •  COST: 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15)  •  RELEASE DATE: July 11, 2012

On Xbox Live Arcade

+ Captures the spirit of Portal almost perfectly with clever puzzles and a witty guide.

+ Between the mansion, its paintings, and the adorable Ike, you’ll think you stepped into a Pixar movie.

– The professor guides you too much; using gravity to traverse large chasms can be annoying.

? Can you resist looking up puzzle solutions on YouTube?

8.5