Speaking to videogame consumer site 1Up, head of Valve Software Gabe Newell has made the not inconsiderable statement that the developer’s upcoming and recently announced Portal 2 is “the best game we’ve ever done.”

If you take into consideration that this is the company that has brought us games from the Half-Life franchise, the Left 4 Dead franchise, and games such as Team Fortress 2 and the original Portal, this is one lofty comment.

Newell discussed expectations for Portal 2, after the original games stratospheric reception, and how the game may be received by fans:

“One of the nice things about The Orange Box was it allowed us to try out a couple of different things, and Portal really seemed to resonate. We got the signals that we wanted—this is what people liked; this is what people didn’t like. And to us, it was like, ‘OK now we know how to take this big,’ so that’s what we’re going to do with Portal 2.

“When we shipped Left 4 Dead and then came out with Left 4 Dead 2 a year later, you know a lot of people were excited, and then there were the people who decided, ‘Something must be wrong; Valve must be turning to the dark side.’

“So I think you always have that challenge on your new games, explaining ‘Why is it worth their time? Why is it worth their money? Why is it worth their passion?’ And that’s a case you have to make with every release you do.”

And then answer to those questions?

“Oh Portal 2’s great. It’s the best game we’ve ever done. It’s pretty clear, just internally.”

Newell also hinted that a new ‘end song’ might find its way into Portal 2, by alluding to the fact that Valve may be working with Jonathan Coulton who created the original classic end song for Portal that had fans in stitches, and capped off a wonderful adventure:

“Jonathan Coulton is awesome - he’s just brilliant,” said Newell. “He’s a joy to work with. He’s brilliant.”

Source: 1Up