10 Video Game Spin-Offs BETTER Than The Main Franchise

Half-Life is undoubtedly one of the PC gaming’s most iconic franchises, finally returning to us last month after 13 years with the launch of VR game Half-Life Alyx. But whilst Half-Life was on hiatus, its spinoff series Portal took the crown.

Released within 2007’s Orange Box collection, Portal took place between HL1 and HL2 with new protagonist Chell. Forced to undertake a series of tests with Aperture Science, you were at the mercy of GLaDOS, a malicious AI that controls the lab as you attempt to escape.

Intended as a bonus feature within the Orange Box, it was kept short in case players didn’t approve but became the collection’s most acclaimed title. Intent to build upon this, Valve confirmed Portal 2 in 2010, releasing the following year.

Featuring a full-length campaign and a separate co-operative mode, we saw Chell awaken from a collapsing statis chamber many years later. Guided by a separate personality core, Wheatley, they accidentally reawaken GlaDOS who begins rebuilding Aperture’s lab.

Receiving praise for its gameplay, excellent narrative and dark humour, it proved that Portal could work as a fully-fledged experience. Benefitting from modern gameplay design, Portal 2 managed to surpass its parent franchise.