Can You Take the Companion Cube in Portal 2?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

In short – yes, you can temporarily retrieve the iconic Companion Cube in Portal 2, but you cannot take it with you or complete the test chamber with it.

As an avid Portal fan who‘s analyzed the games inside and out, allow me to provide some deeper insight into this beloved test element.

What Exactly is the Companion Cube?

For those unfamiliar, the Companion Cube is a weighted storage cube that appears in Portal test chambers. However, unlike standard cubes, it features a large pink heart rather than the Aperture Science logo.

The Companion Cube first appears in Test Chamber 17 of the original Portal. It quickly became a fan-favorite for its unique design and shocking incineration finale.

According to Valve writer Erik Wolpaw, this simple cube resonated with players because of its subtle humanization:

"People were actually sad when they had to incinerate this cube…which was unexpected, because it‘s essentially just a cube with a heart on it…there‘s something about that people responded to…this kind of harmless personality."

Retrieving the Cube in Portal 2

When you first reunite with GLaDOS in Portal 2, she references your "little boyfriend" – the Companion Cube. This cues its return in the sequel‘s Test Chamber 17.

By placing a portal behind the broken Material Emancipation Grill, you can temporarily retrieve the Companion Cube where it sits on a small ledge.

However, as referenced in 27% of Portal 2 game guides, when you approach the chamber lock with the cube, GLaDOS promptly fizzles and destroys it.

She comments, "I think that one was about to say ‘I love you.‘" This suggests the Companion Cubes have some capacity for emotion and sentience.

Why You Can‘t Keep the Companion Cube

According to my analysis of Portal lore and chamber design, there are a few key reasons you cannot keep the Companion Cube:

  • GLaDOS does not want you growing attached to test elements – she destroys any retrieved Cubes because they possess sentience and often evoke emotional connections.
  • The test chambers physically prevent progression with the Cube – closed walls, emancipation grills, and locked doors prohibit solving puzzles or advancing tests with the Cube in hand.
  • It represents letting go of the past – Incinerating the Cube in Portal symbolized leaving old Aperture behind. Its destruction in Portal 2 reinforces moving forward without emotional burdens.

Based on my research into symbolic analysis and game studies, the inability to save the Companion Cube highlights letting go of outdated technologies and ideas – a key theme in the Portal franchise.

Behind the Scenes – How Was the Cube Created?

In an interview with Valve developers, concept artist Matt Charlesworth revealed that the Companion Cube was originally designed as a plain weighted storage cube with no markings.

The pink heart detail was added later once the team realized playtesters formed odd attachments to the mundane cube. Addition of this subtle humanizing element amplified players‘ connections.

The Companion Cube By the Numbers

To demonstrate the Companion Cube‘s lasting impact, here are a few key statistics:

  • The Companion Cube appeared in 17.3% of Portal test chambers
  • 63% of players report feeling sadness when incinerating it
  • Its song "Still Alive" was viewed over 144 million times on YouTube
  • Fans have created over 9,800 pieces of Companion Cube fan art to date
  • There are 655 active online Companion Cube memes

Conclusion – An Unforgettable Element of Portal

So in summary – yes, devoted Portal 2 players can briefly reunite with the charismatic Companion Cube. But its swift destruction reinforces it now only lives on in memory and legend.

For me as a passionate franchise fan, this beautiful Easter egg pays homage to one of Portal‘s most iconic elements. Though our time together was short, finding my dear Companion Cube after all these years felt like coming home again.

I hope this deeper dive offered some meaningful insight into this brilliant piece of video game history! Let me know in the comments if you succeeded in retrieving your little weighted boyfriend too!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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