The original Gateway game was one of my favorites from the first CasualGameplay Design Competition (and one of yours too), so I was extremely excited to see that Anders Gustafsson had given us another chapter (hopefully in a series?) to work our way through. In case you missed it, Gateway II is also our runner-up in this competition.
(I will be careful in discussing the game here in case some of you haven't yet played through it. I don't want to spoil the fun of discovery.)
In Gateway II, you again guide a robot, through a dream-like setting, in order to solve numerous and varied mini-puzzles for a seemingly unknown purpose (though a purpose there is, as you soon discover). Using well-placed musical cues and subtle environmental sound the author has created a virtual world that draws you in from the moment you launch the game. The setting and aesthetics are so enticing and mysterious, it doesn't matter at first that you don't know what your ultimate goal is (or indeed if you have one).
There is a tutorial available at the start of the game, but you probably won't need it even if you never played the first Gateway (and thank you Anders for allowing us to skip it up front this time!). Just click around to move. If something is highlighted when you mouse over it you can interact with it or pick it up, and you can drag objects from your inventory onto other objects in the environment in order to use them together.
None of the puzzles are terribly hard, though several of them are extremely clever and require you to actually think in simpler or more basic terms than you're used to thinking when you try to solve puzzles. There aren't really any puzzles in here that require lateral thinking or thinking outside of the box, but that in itself is pretty devious of Anders considering the audience.
Analysis: Neither the gameplay nor the approach are novel ideas in puzzle gaming, but there's something about the world that Anders has created that advances this game above other point-and-click style adventures. He has written an interesting and emotional story that surpasses the original Gateway (did it even have a story?), and incorporates the "Grow" theme of the competition in a surprising and unconventional way. The exemplary sound and music combined with the minimalist graphics establish a dark and sinister world for you to explore.
Anders took some hits in the comments and in the judging on the first Gateway for lacking accessibility features (we do score based on that), and this time around he has rectified that very well. Notice on the options screen that you can turn on captions for audio-based puzzles and gray-scale for color-based puzzles.
I did have one or two minor quibbles with the game. Pathfinding for the game is still sometimes frustrating, especially when going up or down stairs. I also noticed that everyone in the comments was giving hints on how to pass a certain puzzle involving a fire alarm and a rainbow, but when I first played the game I found I didn't actually need to trip that alarm in order to pass through the room and back again. While playing it again for the review the far door was closed and I had to go through the entire puzzle.
I also have some minor opinions to offer in the discussion of "The _______ Scene," but again out of courtesy to those who haven't yet played the game I will save that discussion (and indeed the nature of the scene itself) for the comments.
From my personal review of the original Gateway: "I am guessing that the author did not design the 3D setup and movement system just for this contest, but instead created a set of puzzles using a previously made environment."
The sequel, if not the original, was certainly made using this route. I noticed that the difficulty of maneuvering through narrow areas was not fixed in Gateway II. However, it improves a lot on the original in terms of coherency and adherence to the theme of the competition. The story was intriguing and I liked how there was a feeling of being in Laura’s subconscious, although I disagreed with the order in which the scenes purportedly took place. The puzzles, although often clever, were again slightly too simple. Overall, though, a fun and high-quality casual game.
With Gateway II, Anders proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he understands how to evoke emotion within the player of his games. He accomplishes it well in the first Gateway game, though it is for a brief moment in an otherwise plotless adventure. In the second, however, he accomplishes much more by weaving an engaging and emotional narrative throughout the adventure that unfolds as the player progresses.
Although Gateway II looks and acts like a sequel, it is more a second iteration of a game submitted to our first competition. Anders listened to the constructive criticisms leveled on his first Gateway creation, and delivered a more complete, more accessible game this time around. The result is an exceptional game play experience, and well deserving of the runner-up prize for the competition.
Gateway 2 walkthrough now available!
Comments (may contain spoilers)
alright, I have tried all the different spoiler options for the pathway with the red squares but not a single one has worked.....any advice
Coffey
Posted by:
jan.jan 
|
September 5, 2007 2:29 PM
I don't get the ending where the grey robot just leaves. . .
This was great
im stuck at the bit with the eye an i dont know what to do! all ive got is a mirror and a video. ive tried everything i can and nothing seems to work!
Hollie
You might want to try the walkthrough above first. You also might want to check out the other comments first - this question has been asked and answered many times over :D
Posted by:
jan.jan |
September 7, 2007 6:09 PM
About who the player's character is:
I just figured out the doctor thing too
this game was great the father was in the first game i think now that i understand the ppl from gateway 2 im going to play gateway 1 again to fully understand the story
I've tried a lot of different combinations with the floor, but the door won't open. Yours to carlos :) do you have to start at the first tile or at the door?
Sarah
Once you figure out the way the tiles work for the 2nd video tape it makes that part a lot easier e.g. if you step on the first tile some tiles will light up (it doesn't matter at all which tiles light up), step off to the left then step on that same tile again. The same tiles that lit up before will switch off, in other words, you just need to step on each tile twice to succeed. The door will open when you have made it to the right side and all tiles are switched off.
This is what works for me:-
Posted by:
jan.jan |
September 10, 2007 7:05 PM
excellent game ... finished 'em both ... needed help with the alarm code on GWII and with PEEPER on GWI (but I feel really stupid for not figuring that one out)
I'm from problem family and the story touched me a lot. The ambience of paranoid fear is at the top level! The story is very life like and it's sad there is no such real grey robot doctor for every mentally crooked human in the world.
Hello!
IN the fire alarm room mine was black and white not rainbow :S
[Edit: That's because you must have it set for grayscale in the options menu. -Jay]
I got the ending code wich is
but she just won't stand up!
Somebody please help me!
I actually finished a game without a walkthrough! I'm so proud!
omg i cant get the prism thing to make colors!!! it only makes blacks greys and whites!!! no rainbow!! someone help please!!! asap!
[Edit: Turn off grayscale in the game options. The game doesn't default to grayscale, so you must have inadvertently set it that way. -Jay]
I loved the game. I thought the story added so much more depth to the game. The story was also different than other games, much more serious than I thought it'd be. I know someone like that mother, too, and I thought it was pretty accurate.
My only complaint is the shutting off of the water sprinklers. That sequence was a long pain.
Thanks again.
hey,
im at the stage where you hide behind the frindge door but the eyes just arnt going away, and its been pover an hour now and its drivin me mad!
wb x
~Great game Anders!
~I think you answered that gal who got all offended well. I think people like her enjoy looking for fights.
The game itself (puzzles and all) was really really fun and challenging. Had to use hints here and there, but kept me interested all the way through!
~Anyway, I find it funny all the people who have to scroll past all the previous hints/walkthroughs to post the same question that's been asked a million times.
***THERE'S A COMPLETE WALKTHROUGH RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE PEOPLE...
Even though Cesia is overreacting, I tend to agree with her. My grandparents suffered from paranoid dementia like this and I certainly felt like the Laura character lacked depth. The game was very good, however.
Here is my understanding of the story, I could be wrong, but I think I have something at least close to the original story created by the creator.
AWESOME GAME!!!!
I didn't finish but I want to know what the storyline is!
Please tell me!!!
for the first Tape
go through the gateway, down the hall, button to open and
take the hand mirror, it'll be useful later.
Examine the sink, turn on the water
That's hot water.
Code for the cabinet is in the mirror (7997)
Go outside, see the yellow bot
You see that when you stand under the light, your mirror glows
Blind the eye with the mirror to get out
Push in tape, transfer, watch
Second Tape
keep all the spots dark to have the door open
Just fiddle with this one, you'll get it eventually
take the lighter and newspaper from the table
There's a screwdriver in the dresser
Put the newspaper under the door and use the screwdriver in the lock
Use the key to open
Just click out to where you think you should be able to walk to get the tape
Take note of the numbers on the pyramid painting upon leaving (786)
Yellow bot again, same bridge puzzle on the way back
Insert tape, transfer, and watch
Third Tape
Blink three times with the lamp, wait for the return
Go back to the phone and dial the number
Use your lighter to set off the sprinkler
Grab the tape, and when the eyes appear, open the fridge door and hide behind it
Eventually the eyes will leave again
Use your mirror to make a prism in the water
This is the code for the alarm (BPYGRO)Yellow bot, exit
Transfer and watch
Fourth Tape
Force the student to create the sums 24, 79, 163
Check your telescope to see yellow bot
Blink the lamp thrice
Back to the telescope
Answer the phone
Notice the note-like scribbles
I used 11223311
Turn on the tv
Remember the code for the pyramids?
Grab the tape
Yellow bot, leave
End
After yellow bot collapses, go to the tv
Transfer and watch
Now back to the girl, examine her
See the place where a cord might go?
Well, plug her in with the wire on the ground
Now you must recall the real-life order of the tapes
(264379851)
Yellow bot has her resurrection, resolution, and epiphany, and we're done
Follow her out for credits
I think you're the person who says ... in video one, you know who talks off the screen? I think that's you.
I'm stuck at the part where you use the lighter to set off the sprinkler, how do youthe lighter back and forth in the air like at a concert with a bunch of bands no one actually likes?
KENn,
I'm saving that feature for Gateway 48, where Laura and Mike decide to get the ol' band together.
And, on a related note, why do you go to concerts with bands you don't like? Seems like a vaste of good ligther fluid. Save it for when it counts, mate!
If you have any other problems solving the puzzles, I might point out that there already are quite a lot of walkthroughs you might want to seek out. I really wish you wouldn't, though, since the game was designed to make the player think. Using walkthroughs defeats that purpose.
I finished:
but I covered the 2 eyes from tape 3
and 1 from tape 1.
I covered my eyes when I saw the 3 EYES.
Wow. This game really hit a nerve with me..
i really really liked that, it had a really unsettling atmosphere... watching through hidden cameras, and the appearance of 'laura' at the end of each part, plus the eyes through the kitchen window (i actually jumped) made it all quite chilling. though i must agree that the storyline of crazy suicidal mother seemed a bit cliched, but then, it's supposed to be a game, not a brilliantly crafted narrative. very good, do another one!
i have gone pass the red bridge and into the room and got the items but the key is on the other side of the door can u help me plz
great game ! just one thing i didnt get, in the end when u examined laura, those numbers u supposed to push on her body (264379851) , where do u find them?
That, I think, was the best pnc game game I ever played. The animation was smooth, the characters had depth (as much as could be expected from faceless robots anyway :P).
HOWEVER, many people did NOT use spoiler tags (since I was reading through for hints, many people said things like
Cool game! Thanks a lot!
I'm just curious, Played this for the first time and I LOVE these games. I have a question, is it just me or did they just leave Mike in the FBI Torcher room?! O.o poor Mike ... his GF is a total bioatch
I'm in the room with the eyes looking through the windows, but i've been hiding behind the door for an hour!!! HELP! What am I supposed to do?
That was a cool yet smart game. Its really a hard one this one.Although i used some of the walkthrough tips it was still pretty easy but very hard.
the eyes in the kitchen scared me hardout:D
guys, i see most of you are confused why the code is 264379851...
well think about it,its the actual order of the tapes, 1 is at the end because thats after the mum died ect.
Also, at the second phone, the number is 11223311, but make shore u hav some cheesy breathing in the backround, lol.
And also, who the heck are we playin as? the doctor in video no. 1 maybe, ist the same colour as we r...
And also in the tape where the mothers drivin off, its either a disturbingly tall man filming or the camras handing on nothing...mysterious
P.S no offence to the person hoo made this game.
where's the second tape?! i'm so confused!
I think i understan who you are!!
you are the doctor going through Laura's mind to get to what happened with Laura, her mother and Mike!
Anyway this game is amazing. All credit to the ppl who made it. Its really sad at the end but i really loved it. There isnt going to be another one is there? coz we saved Laura and she forgave her mother!
Great game loved it!!!
Red bridge:squares=1,2,3,4,5,6
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 3
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 3
Go to square 4
Go to square 3
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 3
Go to square 4
Go to square 5
Go to square 4
Go to square 3
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 3
Go to square 4
Go to square 5
Go to square 6
Go through the door!
To go back:
Go to square 6
Go to square 5
Go to square 4
Go to square 3
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 3
Go to square 4
Go to square 5
Go to square 6
Go to square 5
Go to square 4
Go to square 3
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 3
Go to square 4
Go to square 5
Go to square 4
Go to square 3
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 3
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Go to square 2
Go to square 1
Great game but I DON'T LIKE the EYES, I got totally freaked out.
i put those numbers from the walktrough
That was such a greate game :) I recomend it. The walkthrough helped, I couldnt get through half of it >D
Thanks for a great game, altough it was a bit easy to beat :)
This was an excelent game, loved the story line and the music even made it... exciting, I give this game 2 thumbs up.
This, by far, is the most gripping flash game I have ever played. This actually stays with you for a while. I agree that the game is too easy, but that's a minor flaw, I can more than forgive that for a story like this.
HOLY CRAP i just got to those eyes freaking creepy cause im playin thiss at night with no one around!!!
when you first go down the elevator im stuck i have the mirror and the wire but i dont know what to do next.
when you are going to get the last tape whats the code of the pyrimids i cant figuar it out please help
I don't understand what we are supposed to scribble on the pad because every time I just scribbled something I got nothing
ps. where is it supposed to show up at?
The walkthrough is useless for the 2nd tape where you get the key, open the door & walk outside. Ground is all black, you can't walk to the far side of screen like the walkthrough says you just get stuck. Its just a dead end with no clues as to whats meant to be done. Sucks big style.
"I don't understand what we are supposed to scribble on the pad because every time I just scribbled something I got nothing. ps. where is it supposed to show up at?"
Tell me about it! The walkthroughs makes less sense than the game? Scribble what? Scribble where? Wheres the number appear? Jeez it just does not make sense! Hows anyone meant to work that out????
about the scribbling: Have you every scribbled lightly with pencil on a pad of paper that had been written on before but the page was torn off?
It's a classic spy/detective technique for uncovering clues. It's what you need to do here to get the phone number to show up.
So, scribble where? Everywhere. How much? until the paper is covered with pencil and the number shows up.
Posted by:
jay |
November 20, 2007 7:55 AM
I think your game has a really deep storyline, and at some points it seems less of a game and more of a story, which I like! I like the abstract mood to it, and I am still musing upon it after completing it :D
what do you do after you get the 9 tapes and connect the t.v. to laura???
yea im stuk at the part where yu hav to make the dude do tha math stuff. an di dont knoe how to make him do it. i dont knoe wat to type or anything... please help!
what do you do at the end in the empty room because the telly doesn't play anything
why is every one complaining its so easy!!!
mark
walk to the end and the tape is there
great game. when is gateway three coming out?
How does Laura walk away while still plugged in?
(Oh,by the way,PLUG HER IN TO THE TV when you put in the code!)
the stupid eyes won't go away!!!
In order to make the creepy eyes go away, try opening the fridge door and THEN hiding behind it!
(Take your time, they`ll think you left)
"...but instead you imprisoned me even further."
IMPRISONED ME FURTHER???
I don`t understand. Someone please write a comment about it.
HELP ME!
"I plugged in Laura. I used the code. But she won`t stand up! Help!"
Did you use the tapes like Laura told you to?
"I FREAKED OUT when I saw the eyes!"
It`d be news if you didn`t.
I`ll be happy to answer almost any questions you post!
I`ve also heard.............
"The eyes still won`t go away! Help!"
F-R-I-D-G-E D-O-O-R not F-R-I-D-G-E.
"I don`t get the bridge thing."
Just step randomly, then, until the`re all dark red and you`re on the last one. Need I say more?
Wait, I ment...
F-R-I-D-G-E not
F-R-I-D-G-E D-O-O-R
to who said... "where`s the 2nd tape?"
Walk outside. turn all squares black (by stepping on them.) then walk to it. Easy.
this was wicked you just have to make a third!!!!!!
This has been my favorite online game since it came out!!!!!!
This is the best game. I can't believe it was only a runner up. It should have won. I beat it with a little help from the spoilers. Thanks for the help.
The one-step-forward-one-step-back on the bridge thing doesn't work. If anyone else has said somehting like this, sorry as I havent read through all of hits yet :P
NOOOOO I closed pop up window and i hadnt saved >;[
what annoys me is that you can't undo what you do on the red bridge without restarting >:[
OMG absolutely amazing game! Great storyline! Thanks!
what a great story,, very sad ending.. I cant what till part 3 comes out
O.K somebody please be more specific! I've been scribbling on the notepad for like 15 minutes and no number comes up! Somebody just tell us what the nnumber is!
what the... im using the walkthrough - I blinked 3 times before scribbling on the pad but nothing's happened :(
Posted by:
Cooley123 
|
January 21, 2008 3:01 PM
PLEASE HELP ME! I NEED HELP!
by the way: sorry for double post
but i NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG!
Posted by:
Cooley123 |
January 21, 2008 3:42 PM
snap. I've read the message by the person above and i'd like to say:
sorry for triple post.
Posted by:
Cooley123 |
January 21, 2008 3:49 PM
You need to scribble A LOT. Fill the paper with ink.
Posted by:
Jay |
January 21, 2008 3:51 PM
coooool. Thanks a lot, jay!
Posted by:
Cooley123 |
January 22, 2008 1:55 PM
what is the number for the phone for gods sake!!!
[Edit: read the walkthrough for gods sake!!!]
wow sad ending. I dont think they are making a gateway three now that she is free. also thinking what if they are not robots?
Cooley123-
The Yellow Channel!
i don't think they're supposed to be robots. my proof?
clip 2, third thing mom says, last word
for those of you who are stuck on the second tape
it woz my pleasure
The Gateway games are some of my favorite games on this site. I really hope the creator makes a 3rd Gateway! =]
Posted by:
Kaitlyn |
March 8, 2008 9:18 AM
After I looked through the telescope in the 4th gateway everything was just black and I couldn't do anything about it. Fun game, wish I could have finished it, not going to go through it all again though.
Posted by:
Blarrrg |
March 8, 2008 10:58 PM
i need help
i need help
I WAS REPLAYING THIS GAME AND WHEN I WAS WATCHING the second clip, as soon as the mom walks in, i hear this WHAT THE...! in the background and i just burst out laughing. my brother was playing halo and he blew up with out warning, suprising him. hahahahahahhaha!
A question about the story.
For everyone having problems with the final code to input into the girlbot.
Input the code in one go. In other words type each number directly after the last one. If you wait the code resets itself. If you're not seeing all the numbers as you type each one in then you've waited too long and must start again.
Once you've done that the emotional denouement will commence.
Wow, this was a different game for my sister and i, but it really makes you think. what a relief i found this guide or i would've had so many questions.
How do you get to Gateway 1?
[Edit: Here you go: Gateway 1 -Jay]
My opinion on the identity of the main character is as spoils.
Of course, this is all just specculation, as I have no hard concrete evidence to back my claim up with.
My mother whent through the same stuff after her mother died... she started drinking a bottle of scotch a day and smokeing 2 packs a day... them she got emo and started cuting her self... then she got klingy.... then she started hateing my dad... then she ended it... sad... the realy scary bit is that when i got any where near my dad she was watching... at least she didnt start hateing all men.... still great game it relates 2 me and that freaks me out... keep up the good work
hello,
how do you make the dude blink ?
before the phone call
please help me
[Edit: The 'dude' is not the one that 'blinks'. -Jay]
I have to say, I really enjoyed this game. I found it through Newgrounds and was surprised at the quality of gameplay.
I admit using the walkthrough for
If you decide to make a Gateway III I'd like to suggest putting in some randomized passcodes. My ideas for easy(-ish) ones in this one could have been:
and
Still can't get over the story.
One last thing:
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Posted by: Mysteryman | April 21, 2007 4:04 PM