# I'm stuck in Portal (first one) in test 15 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 31, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279 "2012-01-31T05:07:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/1 "2012-01-31T05:07:11Z")
I can’t get past the first challenge in Test Chamber 15, I’ve followed directions like this: > [@](#): > > —Test Chamber 15— Move forward and there will be a wall in front of you and on top of that is a force field. You can’t shoot any portals through it. Also once you go through the force field, any portals behind you will disappear. To get to the other side, turn around and there will be a indented wall above you. Shoot a blue portal there and an orange portal anywhere so that you can go through it. Go through the orange portal and as you are falling, shoot an orange portal below you and you will be launched over the wall. Continue forward and in the next room will be a room with and energy ball. to no avail. I still land in the first part of the test chamber. I’ve been stuck for a week, at least. I’ve tried different FAQs, but they all say essentially the same thing. I’m pulling my hair out. That doesn’t help either. What am I doing wrong? Or are my reflexes just not quick enough any more? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/2 "2012-01-31T05:13:47Z")
So if I’m reading the walkthrough right, this is the first chamber that trains “flinging.” If so, that one can be quite a bitch. I find it easier to put a portal on the panel sticking out, falling and seeing where I land, and then shooting a portal under me without moving. This means that it requires approximately 0 reflexes to do the fling (in this room at least, wait until later). ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/3 "2012-01-31T05:24:05Z")
You can watch Youtube walk-throughs of every test in both games if you’re so inclined. [Test 15](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JavOo9F5tw) ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/4 "2012-01-31T06:43:08Z")
A few weeks ago, someone round here linked to the [Universal Hint System](http://www.uhs-hints.com/uhsweb/hints/portal/14.php). It may be able to help you out. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/5 "2012-01-31T07:29:14Z")
OK, I’m past that first problem, and I think that I can figure out the second problem by myself. Thank you. No cake in sight yet, but I’m not at the end of the level. I usually count on GameFaqs for my game info needs. In fact, when I was playing Final Fantasy IX, GameFaqs had more info than the official game strategy book. More hint/faq sites are always welcome, though. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/6 "2012-01-31T11:31:08Z")
I’ve found for Portal, nothing works better than a Youtube video. As for FFIX, that official book was infamous for being absolutely useless and sending you to the Internet for anything actually useful. Literally, they’d write URLs in the book and expect you to go there. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/7 "2012-01-31T14:41:08Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > As for FFIX, that official book was infamous for being absolutely useless and sending you to the Internet for anything actually useful. Literally, they’d write URLs in the book and expect you to go there. And of course, often the URLs were no longer working correctly, even in 1999. They are completely useless now, of course, and you have a $13 POS to read. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/8 "2012-01-31T19:11:13Z")
I just started playing Portal last night too. I had to hand the controls over to my husband for that bit - I just did not have the coordination to do what needed to be done (I almost never play video games and I’m not used to using a keyboard for games). It’s a fun game, but the sounds/music are creeping me out. The noise the elevator makes reminds me of the radio static on Silent Hill and I keep expecting zombies to jump out and attack me (I didn’t play SH, but watched the storyline unfold as my husband played!) My husband couldn’t understand why I broke out into nervous/scared laughter when the instructional voice said (paraphrased) “at the end of this training, you will be missed.” I thought she said _minced_, which is a terrifying thought! :smack: I take these things way too seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/9 "2012-01-31T19:14:50Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > My husband couldn’t understand why I broke out into nervous/scared laughter when the instructional voice said (paraphrased) “at the end of this training, you will be missed.” > > I thought she said _minced_, which is a terrifying thought! :smack: > > I take these things way too seriously. Oh, you have so much _fun_ ahead! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/10 "2012-01-31T20:16:11Z")
For whatever it’s worth, Test 15 was my most frustrating Portal test. Especially the second half with all the running and portaling and button pressing. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/11 "2012-01-31T20:34:58Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > Oh, you have so much _fun_ ahead! 😃 Oh god, please no radio-static-four-legged-no-head-zombies! 'minced" :eek: Though I like games where you don’t get laughed at for dying (wah-wah-wah GAME OVER you sissy). Anything with a time trial gets completed by my husband and I struggle massively with 3D game worlds (you should see me shoot at anything that moves in FPS…online teammates hate me when I try to play)… heck, I struggle with 2D games too! Can you tell why I don’t play a lot of video games? I love the puzzles in Portal so far and it’s a style of game that I really like (the one and only game I’ve completed 100% by myself is _Grim Fandango_). I’m going to try it with a game controller rather than a keyboard - I screw up a lot just based on forgetting which button to click for what. :smack: My terminology: Blue portals are innies. Orange portals are outies. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/12 "2012-01-31T20:45:16Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > Oh, you have so much _fun_ ahead! 😃 And cake. Don’t forget the cake. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/13 "2012-01-31T23:40:20Z")
> [@](#): > > My terminology: > Blue portals are innies. Orange portals are outies. You can’t always choose which way you’re going to go through a portal pair (well, you _can_, but it requires excellent reflexes and aim, and makes the game much harder). Sometimes, it’s far, far easier to reuse a portal you just came out of as the “in” portal for the next jump. Another tip: There are multiple ways to do most things in the game, and for most of the things you need to do, there’s at least one way that does not require lightning reflexes. So if you ever find yourself saying “This is _impossible_; I’d have to be a robot (or a teenager) to do that quick enough!”, start looking around for other ways to do it. The robot (or teenager) method might indeed be possible, and that might be relevant for doing a map in Challenge Mode (where you’re trying to minimize your time, or the number of portals you use, or the number of steps you take), but it’s not necessary for the regular game. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/14 "2012-02-01T00:04:14Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > Oh god, please no radio-static-four-legged-no-head-zombies! Not to worry. That exact thing you said is definitely not in the game. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/15 "2012-02-01T00:22:43Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > You can’t always choose which way you’re going to go through a portal pair (well, you _can_, but it requires excellent reflexes and aim, and makes the game much harder). Sometimes, it’s far, far easier to reuse a portal you just came out of as the “in” portal for the next jump. Oh yeah, I realized that, but the names pretty much got assigned in one of the first levels where the orange portal was already set, so they’ve stuck. It helped me remember which mouse button to click - somehow “innie” and “outie” for left and right was easier to remember than “blue” and “orange”.:dubious: > [@neofishboy](#): > > Not to worry. That exact thing you said is definitely not in the game. Oh. Good, then. ::slightly scared of what comes next:: The game is installed on my husband’s computer, and so I won’t really play without him… he’s working late shifts this week, so more middle-of-the-night gaming. He thinks it’s hilarious that I’m so nervous playing this game! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/16 "2012-02-01T00:31:21Z")
After you finish Portal you’ll have to tell us what you think! I love this game! Also, you MUST get Portal 2, its like 10 times better! > [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > OK, I’m past that first problem, and I think that I can figure out the second problem by myself. Thank you. No cake in sight yet, but I’m not at the end of the level. > > I usually count on GameFaqs for my game info needs. In fact, when I was playing Final Fantasy IX, GameFaqs had more info than the official game strategy book. More hint/faq sites are always welcome, though. There was a reason for that. Square-Enix, I think they were just Squaresoft at the time, wanted to move on to a more web-based system, probably one using their own company’s web portal, as a substitute for the typical strategy guide. Before that, gamers were used to the company itself creating a massive and comprehensive strategy guide for their Final Fantasy games. But it didn’t work, gamers liked having a strategy guide in their hands, so Square never did it again. That’s why you won’t find any official strategy guides from Prima or Brady Games or whatever for FFIX, but there are ones for FFVII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII, etc. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/17 "2012-02-01T01:03:49Z")
Portal 2 is already purchased and waiting for install from Steam 🙂 We bought both during the holiday sales. Asking to play Portal got my husband to stop playing Orcs Must Die! which I am beginning to hate hehehe. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/18 "2012-02-01T04:58:59Z")
I’ve downloaded a number of fan-made levels, but I have little patience for the ones that require mid-air split-second multi-level flings. I like to _think_ my way through puzzles, not rely on hitting some 0.1-second window, missing, spending another minute getting back into position, miss it again… two or three failures and it’s time for the cheat codes. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/19 "2012-02-01T07:11:16Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > For whatever it’s worth, Test 15 was my most frustrating Portal test. Especially the second half with all the running and portaling and button pressing. Yes, I just went out and bought the largest bottle of extra strength Advil I could find. A video game is not worth taking Vicodin for. > [@YogSosoth](#): > > After you finish Portal you’ll have to tell us what you think! I love this game! Also, you MUST get Portal 2, its like 10 times better! I really like puzzle games, as long as they are not twitch games. I used to adore the old Infocom games. There’s nothing quite like working on a puzzle for several days, and then realizing the solution. I am mostly really enjoying this game, and I probably will have to get Portal 2 after I finish Portal. I received a YouTube link in an email for the ending of the game, with “Still Alive”. I could not get it out of my head, and that’s why I got interested in the game. Yeah, there’s some spoilers in the song, but it’s worth it, I think. > [@](#): > > There was a reason for that. Square-Enix, I think they were just Squaresoft at the time, wanted to move on to a more web-based system, probably one using their own company’s web portal, as a substitute for the typical strategy guide. Before that, gamers were used to the company itself creating a massive and comprehensive strategy guide for their Final Fantasy games. But it didn’t work, gamers liked having a strategy guide in their hands, so Square never did it again. That’s why you won’t find any official strategy guides from Prima or Brady Games or whatever for FFIX, but there are ones for FFVII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII, etc. Heh. That’s not what they said, but it’s far more believable than the letter I received from them: > [@](#): > > Dear Lynn: > > Thank you for your feedback on our recently published FINAL FANTASY IX > Official Strategy Guide. This guide takes a new direction due largely to > consumer feedback on previous strategy guides. A great deal of comments we’ > ve received in the past suggested that strategy guides often reveal plot > spoilers and provide too much of a “hand-holding” walkthrough. Many > consumers felt that much of the satisfaction gained by self-discovery in an > RPG was lost by using such guides. BradyGAMES and SQUARESOFT decided to try > and address gamers’ concerns with the release of this new and innovative > guide. > > It’s important to note, however, that our guide will lead players through > the game in its entirety without relying upon the online strategy guide at > [PlayOnline.com](http://PlayOnline.com). It covers every aspect of the game with the goal in mind of > providing our readers with the necessary information, but without having to > “hold their hand” every step of the way. The PlayOnline call-outs are simply > references that will provide additional hints, tips, or strategy to > supplement what is currently in the strategy guide. > > As always, we are glad to hear any feedback you may have on this matter and > we thank you for your continued support of SQUARESOFT. > > Caroline > Customer Support Rep. > SQUARESOFT > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: “Lynn Bodoni” \ > To: \; \ > Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 1:15 AM > Subject: Final Fantasy IX guide > > \> I despise the new FF9 guide. It is only a very basic overview, and for > any > \> USEFUL information, I am directed to the “Playonline” site. It is not at > \> all convenient for me to pause my game, drop my game controller and get > \> online when I find myself absolutely confounded by an area or puzzle. In > \> the future, I believe that I will buy only UNAUTHORIZED game strategies, > if > \> this is how Brady guides will be written in the future. When I buy a > \> strategy guide, I expect it to stand alone for the most part. It seems > that > \> 90% of the information I want or need is only available online. > \> > \> I generally buy each Final Fantasy (or other Square RPG) game as it comes > \> out, and I buy the strategy guide when I pick up the game. Usually I try > to > \> finish the game without opening the guide, and then I replay it, to get > the > \> items and areas I missed the first time. This will not be the case any > \> longer. I will still buy the games, but I will NOT be picking up Brady > \> guides automatically. I do not like the Play Online feature, as it is yet > \> another login and password that I have to remember, and it’s very > \> inconvenient to drop everything, look up my login and password, and then > go > \> to the online area. I’ll just go to gamefaqs, I’m sure that the > information > \> is there, and is much more accessible. > \> > \> In short, Bradygames, you have lost a customer. I doubt that I will EVER > \> purchase another one of your game guides, unless you make this purchase > \> right for me, by sending me a COMPLETE hardcopy guide of the game > strategy. > \> This means that I want, in hardcopy, all the information that is available > \> through the Keywords at Playonline. > \> > \> Demographics: I’m female, 43, the main game purchaser in the household, > the > \> main game player in the household, I buy every Square RPG that comes out > \> (and until recently, every Bradygames guide to the games as well), and my > \> household income is over \. > \> > \> > \> Lynn Bodoni ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279/20 "2012-02-01T07:18:52Z")
[QUOTE=GLADOS] Good times. [/QUOTE] :)🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-stuck-in-portal-first-one-in-test-15/611279.md?page=2)