Portal/Chamber 09



This chamber is more an exercise in ignoring extreme pessimism from GLaDOS, rather than a difficult challenge. The level begins with GLaDOS saying: "The Enrichment Centre regrets to inform you that this next test is impossible. Make no attempt to solve it."

- GLaDOS

Despite the pessimism, this chamber is easily solvable. Do not worry if you destroy a cube in the emancipation grid, as another one will simply be deployed for you.

Walkthrough
To begin, create a portal at ground level so that you can take a cube up to the platform, using the fixed orange end of the portal there.

Once a cube is placed right in front of the orange portal, you have two options. You can either shoot a portal through the small opening (above the emancipation grid; with the radio on your second playthrough) so that you can simply walk through the orange portal with the cube to the button, or you can walk without the cube through the grid, and then create another portal somewhere on the other side of the room which will then lead to the cube; collect it and put it on the button to open the door and allow you to reach the chamberlock. Remember that if you pass through the grid, the blue portal will disappear.

"Fantastic. You remained resolute and resourceful in an atmosphere of extreme pessimism."

- GLaDOS

No Cheating SpeedRun in One Segment for Mere Mortals
There is a minor opportunity for a finesse in this chamber. The first step described in the Walkthrough, above, is to get both the cube and yourself up onto the raised platform. There is no necessity, however, to do this with one blue portal. First, place a blue portal under the cube, so that it falls out of the orange portal onto the platform. Then place a blue portal under your feet, so that you follow the cube. This avoids your having to walk all the way over to where the cube is. As an alternative, use a blue portal to get up to the platform yourself first, then reposition the blue portal under or behind the cube to fetch it up after you. In the second step, place the blue portal so that you have the shortest distance to travel once you pass through in order to place the cube on the button. If you crouch, you may be able to get it on the ceiling, almost over the button. As usual, move as soon as you can for each step, using the strafe keys to keep moving in the right direction as you turn to place portals. Practice until the whole thing is in muscle memory and you just flow through the chamber.