The Orange Box

I would begin by saying that if you decide to tackle this achievement please be warned that it is one of the most challenging around. It's by no means impossible but if you choose to pursue it prepare for many hours of frustration and at times outright anger. However, this is nicely balanced out by the great sense of pride you will feel when you finally win that last gold medal and the achievement unlocks.

You can of course use certain cheat codes (such as placing portals anywhere) and glitching tactics ('portal bumping') to make your life a good deal easier but you'll find no note of that here. If you wish to go down that road you will have to look it up yourself as this guide is purely for those who wish to win this achievement legitimately. I therefore hope what you find in this guide will help you as much as possible in your pursuit of this achievement.

Below you will firstly find a FAQ which contains what I believe will be some of the most commonly asked questions in regards to winning this achievement.

You will then see written mini-guides for each of the six Test Chambers which are in turn broken down into a further three subsections for portals, steps and time. The mini-guides are comprised of the target you must hit, a difficulty rating and some additional tips or tricks (if I can think of any which are useful!)

Finally there are eighteen Youtube video guides which correspond directly to my own mini-guides referenced above. You will see by reading my guides that I often refer to a certain part in the video by the time.



FAQ


1) In What Order Should I Play Through The Challenges?

It’s very much up to you but my advice contrary to the views of some others would be to take it chamber by chamber starting with portals, followed by steps and finally time. If you’ve not played Portal in a while it will take a little while to reacquaint yourself with certain techniques which will make winning the steps and at times even the portal gold medals tough at first. However, as you progress you will definitely find these become easier. The time challenges however, are by far the hardest to win gold medals on and it is best to split these up rather than to leave them all still to do at the end.


2) Are The Videos In Your Guide The Best Available?

Having spent many hours looking at different videos I would say they are the most helpful and straightforward when it comes to achieving the gold medals. You will also notice that the majority of the videos show the absolute maximum amount of portals, steps and time you can take to attain the gold medals. There are quicker methods out there but these are definitely the easiest ways to reach the target. However, if you are struggling don’t be afraid to look for alternative methods. Check out youtube and portalwalkthroughs.com but bear in mind that most of these are taken from the PC version of the game. Utilising certain PC-based tactics is close to impossible on the 360 version, in particular orientating yourself correctly to fire a portal as you emerge from a previous portal.


3) How Do I Reach The First Floor Portal From The Lift Entrance In Two Steps As Shown In the Least Steps Videos? It’s Impossible – I Always Take Three or Four!

It’s not impossible honestly. It’s simply a knack that will be like second nature given a little practice. What you have to do once the lift doors open is:
i) Place the portals in the areas as directed by the video. Remember the portal you will be entering should be placed on the floor directly outside the lift.
ii) Walk straightforward taking no more than two full steps and then just before taking your third jump forward towards the floor portal.
iii) This way you should have taken no more than two steps when you emerge out of the corresponding portal. Easy as 1 2 3!


4) Should I Save Regularly When Attempting The Least Time Challenges?

Some will argue that you should avoid saving as it disrupts your flow. I however, would suggest that you should not be averse to doing so especially if you have just passed a particularly difficult section and you are matching or even better besting the time on the video guide. Taking it in stages really is the best way to go for many of these challenges and by saving at certain key points you will be thankful at not having to do that part that had you tearing your hair out all over again. The auto-save function of course will often do your job for you. At certain points in my challenge descriptions I have indicated where I believe it might be a good idea to make a save but take this is as simply a suggestion on my part. Save or don’t save at parts YOU are comfortable with.


5) Should I Persevere With This Or Give In To Frustration And I Put My Foot Through My TV?

Without question carry on! Best piece of advice I can give when one particular challenge is driving you crazy is not to become demoralised. You WILL beat it eventually just keep at it. The feeling of elation more than matches the feeling of despair endured in all the failed attempts.



Mini-Guides


1) Test Chamber 13

A) Least Portals

i) Target: 4 Portals
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: What makes this challenge particularly tricky is throwing the block on to the second button. I did this numerous often finding that I just missed the button or fell to the floor in the process. I have subsequently discovered that jumping and then pressing the right trigger will throw the block so this could make things a good bit easier. Not entirely sure on the reliability of this method but give it a go as I think once you've learnt the technique it will make completing the challenge significantly more straightforward.

B) Least Steps

i) Target: 10 Steps
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: Make sure you can drop the block against the wall and not on the button itself. This is made easier if you crouch and you should be able to hit the right spot.

C) Least Time

i) Target: 19 Seconds
ii) Difficulty Level: High
iii) Tips and Tricks: Hardest part is at 0.11 seconds in the video where you have to fire the portal through the door in the brief moment it stays open followed by the second portal as you drop down to the floor. There is an alternative method which involves throwing the block in the same way as the in Least Steps challenge but depending on how good you are at this will determine which way you decide to go.


2) Test Chamber 14

A) Least Portals

i) Target: 2 Portals
ii) Difficulty Level: Very Low
iii) Tips and Tricks: A rather simple and welcome two-portal technique.

B) Least Steps

i) Target: 10 Steps
ii) Difficulty Level: Low
iii) Tips and Tricks: As long as you’re reasonable at firing portals quickly into the floor as you emerge out of the ceiling shouldn’t have too many problems here. Try to land with just one step on the lift and then you should have no problem reaching the exit within the target.

C) Least Time

i) Target: 10 Seconds
ii) Difficulty Level: High
iii) Tips and Tricks: Numerous videos on this one and I’ve simply linked the one I eventually got it with. Took me many attempts and you may prefer one of the alternative options on Youtube. Practice ortientating yourself in the right direction as you emerge from the floor portal. Land well and you should make into the lift in time.


3) Test Chamber 15

A) Least Portals

i) Target: 14 Portals
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: Using the camera to knock the energy ball into the capture device at 1.04 is a little tricky but not too bad. I actually did it quicker than the guy in the video. Jumping onto the platform to get to the final room at 1.44 is also a little hard and when you get there don’t worry about leaping on to the lift to reach the exit. The guy only did that to show off! I never managed it successfully. Remember by using his method up to this point you will still have four portals to spare to finish off the room. So instead just use them to complete the chamber the normal way by manoeuvring the energy ball into the capture device. I won’t explain how to do this as you should know having played through the game at least once before.
N.B. Just noticed that Youtube prevents the embedding of this video. Here's the original url - LINK

B) Least Steps

i) Target: 55 Steps
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: Video for this is good because he completes it with eight steps to spare which laves a good bit of leeway for errors. This is most likely to occur at places 1.34 to 1.46 and 2.10 to 3.20. Although you are free to make some mistakes be careful not to take it too easy. You don’t want to find yourself over the step count by the time you reach the exit! Try to practice so that you keep as close as possible to his step count. This way you should have no problems!

C) Least Time

i) Target: 54 Seconds
ii) Difficulty Level: High
iii) Tips and Tricks: Once again this video should be encouraging as the guy makes a couple of errors and still reaches the exit in time (although just barely to be fair!). You may find it quicker to portal as soon as you exit the lift but I don’t think this will make any great difference. Try to make sure you get the energy ball into the catchment area first time. As long as you are at the same area at 0.23 you should be ok. Don’t worry too much about portal placement to get through the acid tunnel area either. He seems to be overly specific about where he puts them. Also fire a portal to the opposite wall at 0.44 instead of into the floor. This should also save you sometime. When you exit this portal it might be a good idea to make a save just so you have time practice orientating yourself in the correct direction at 0.55 to reach the platform with the exit. You may not need to but just an idea if you're having difficulties.


4) Test Chamber 16

A) Least Portals

i) Target: 2 Portals
ii) Difficulty Level: Low
iii) Tips and Tricks: Not much to say on this one really. Follow the video correctly and manoeuvring your way past the turrets to the exit should present no serious problems.

B) Least Steps

i) Target: 40 Steps
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: Like the steps challenge on Chamber 15 not too tough but it is possible to loose concentration and make mistakes if you’re not careful. It is not imperative to throw the cube across to side like he does at 1.13. Simply get into a position where you can fire a portal into the ceiling above the second turret in the corridor (also making sure it can’t see you) and then use the other portal to take it out with the cube. As with the other steps challenges just make sure you are keeping close as possible to the step count in the video and you should make it to the exit with a few to spare.

C) Least Time

i) Target: 52 Seconds
ii) Difficulty Level: Very High
iii) Tips and Tricks: Probably the most difficult of all the gold medal challenges you will face. Be prepared to try this time and time again before completing it. The video guide I’ve linked for it is definitely the most helpful around as its specific to the 360 version of the game. The best tip I can offer is at rather than using the method at 0.43 to disable the final turret you should instead lean round the corner and simply fire a portal at the camera above. This will then fall and take out the turret for you. If you manage this and are matching or even better beating the time on the video then ‘save’ here. This will give you time to attempt the final portals which will take you to the exit. However, basically everything from the moment the door opens after 20 seconds will, unless you are either very good or very fortunate, be a nightmare of trial and error. Good luck!


5) Test Chamber 17

A) Least Portals

i) Target: 2 Portals
ii) Difficulty Level: Low
iii) Tips and Tricks: Very straightforward. Just follow the video.

B) Least Steps

i) Target: 150 Steps
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: Sorry as I was unable to find a video which shows how to do this challenge perfectly. Instead use the video I have linked as a template and take note of what I say to do differently. First try to make sure that at 0.22, when his step count is 35, yours is something less, ideally 30 or 31 at the most. This is perfectly do-able. You just have to watch your 'step!' Also pay attention to the fact that his step count changes from 189 to 186 at 1.37. Therefore you do not want to enter the room at any more than 186 steps. Diverting the energy balls into their respective a catchment devices isn’t the easiest task so you also want to make sure you are standing in the right place to divert them. The third one is by far the hardest. Look on the video to see how he is angling the companion cube and keep it in this place until it activates the final lift. Try not to get frustrated and overcompensate with too many major adjustments of the angle of the companion cube or you will be there forever.

C) Least Time

i) Target: 127 Seconds
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: Not as tough as some of the other time challenges. A good thing to do is that instead of utilising the companion cube to adjust the camera simply catch it in mid-air when using a portal to shoot it off the wall. Laying it down in the right place can be a touch tricky. Just try to make sure there is enough room for the companion cube to balance on it. Aside from this everything else is relatively straightforward.


6) Test Chamber 18

A) Least Portals

i) Target: 16 Portals
ii) Difficulty Level: Low
iii) Tips and Tricks: See Test Chamber 17 Least Portals

B) Least Steps

i) Target: 85 Steps
ii) Difficulty Level: Medium
iii) Tips and Tricks: Only trick part is getting in and out of the room with the turrets. This video shows it being done with five steps to spare so if you are one or two off when you place the cube on the button you should be ok.

C) Least Time

i) Target: 113 Seconds
ii) Difficulty Level: Very High
iii) Tips and Tricks: Tough right from the get-go this one. You will need to practice the technique he uses at 0.10 a good few times before you can get on to the higher platform. From here it’s a case of trying to go as quickly as possible. The room with the turrets is also very hard and its worth saving once you drop down to the lower level with the cube. If you are matching or even better besting the time on the video when you place the cube on the button then you are doing very well. Its also worth while saving at 0.47 in the video. This will give you time to practice entering the final section. Finally make sure you are facing down into the portal at 1.12. This way you will find yourself almost directly at the exit after you emerge from the other portal hopefully with a second or so to spare.


Finally I will say that this is the first time I have ever written a guide of this nature so I have no idea whether people will find it at all helpful. In fact it might be complete rubbish but hopefully not! If anyone sees ways it could be improved please let me know and I shall endeavour to make positive amendments.

Aside from this if anyone has any further specific questions please let me know I will do my best to assist. Good luck!

Y, A, B, A, B, Y, Y, A, Left +D, Right +D= Portals can spawn anywhere.
This cheat is activated off the pause screen. Once you get to the exit SAVE, then make a new game. Once that is done, go and reload the saved game, then go into the exit door. Do this 18/18 for gold and wall-la!

Proper thanks for this video goes to maltchievy on YouTube.com

The Aperture Science achievement is by far the hardest achievement to unlock in the Orange Box. For me personally it was by far the most difficult and frustrating achievement in any Xbox 360 game I've ever played. It certainly doesn't help that the Xbox controller was not kept in mind when the challenges were designed.

I've seen many people say they've given up trying to get 100% on this game because of this achievement. I'm writing this guide to help people who are more interested in getting this achievement and moving on, as opposed to getting it "legit." Please note that even while employing these methods this achievement will still be incredibly difficult and will likely take you many frustrating days to get but it should lower your frustration somewhat.

Note these cheats for Portal as they will be important:

Create Box - Down, B, A, B, Y, Down, B, A, B, Y
Fire Energy Ball - Up, Y, Y, X, X, A, A, B, B, Up
Fire Rocket - Up, Y, Y, B, B, A, A, X, X, Up
Place Portals Anywhere - Y, A, B, A, B, Y, Y, A, Left, Right

NOTE: If you use cheats you MUST save your game right before you complete the level, then start a new game and reload your save. This disables any cheats you used. Otherwise the game labels you a cheater and you won't get a medal.

To get the achievement you must get gold medals on three challenges (least portals, least steps, and least time) for each of the six chambers for a total of 18 medals. The first challenge you should attempt is Least Portals because the gold medals are by far the easiest to obtain (even without cheating), you can take your time, and it helps you get a good layout of each level.

The second challenge will be Least Steps. This one is considerably more difficult but not as nerve-wracking as Least Time because you can still go as slow as you need to. However every little move you make will count as a step and they will quickly add up.

The third challenge is Least Time which is where most vast majority of frustration comes from. This is where the cheats come in handy. Some have said that the cheats are useless for the Least Time challenges but what they likely didn't know is that the cheats can be entered while the game is paused! If you press start and highlight or select certain menu options you should be able to enter each cheat with the game paused. Where you need to be in the menu will be different for each code because of the different button combinations but the goal is to enter the code without going back into the game while you are doing it -- you can experiment to find the best method.

The Fire Energy Ball code was especially useful in Chamber 15. I could simply aim the reticle at where I wanted the energy ball to go, pause the game and enter the code, unpause the game and the energy ball goes right where I want it. No wasting time getting the portal sequence right.

As for glitches go, this is by far the easiest way to complete Least Time on Chamber 16:

Portal Chamber 16 Least Time Gold 41 Seconds - YouTube

The idea is to use portal bumping to get out of the first room while GLaDOS is still talking. If you are quick enough you should be able to shave 15 - 20 seconds off your time.

This takes some practice to pull off but it makes the chamber infinitely easier. I'm pretty sure these glitches don't work if you are using the Portals Anywhere cheat.

Unfortunately the cheats don't help in some of the toughest challenges, like Least Time challenge in Chamber 13, but they should give you an advantage in about 1/3 to 1/2 off the challenges.

Credit to scoRpFury for the video

This is not a guide on completing the Challenges.
This is information and tips if your Portal challenges glitch on you.

*Note! don't worry about this unless you have encountered this problem, it seems very rare

Brief description of the problem

While i was playing portal something strange happened to the game and i lost the option to play any of the portal challenges. (i had already unlocked them and started playing them)
The save files were not corrupted and i could not find any reason why this occurred.
The same thing happened to me 4 times before i managed to get all Testchambers done (yes i had to re-do almost all challenges 5 times) they reset at different times but all the times they reset i had at least done 50% or more of the challenges (once i even had 1 challenge left to do)


I looked around the internet to find a solution to this problem but couldn't find any.
to add to that it seems like this problem is very rare, i have only read/seen one other person experiencing a similar problem

Edit: i just found this: http://www.xboxachievements.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19090...
not really about the challenges but it is about a similar problem,

If you have any information or personal experience on this glitch please write in the comments everything you know about it (how it happened, how much you have played, the circumstances when the challenges reset, offline or online etc)

Tips on how get all challenges if you encounter this glitch

When you first encounter this there won't be much to do about it, transferring saves or having a backup save doesn't work (i have tried both)

So you have to do it the hard way.
in order to get the challenges back you will have to replay and finish the last mission (Test chamber 19)

When you finish that mission you should have re-unlocked the challenges but all your earlier progress won't be there so you have to do everything all over again.

to make it easier for you in case they reset again after the first reset save right on the end of every mission that you find hard/time consuming to complete, Don't save on the easy ones, you only have 7 manual save slots so use them for hard challenges (there are a total of 18 challenges)
Don't bother on trying to get all these legit since you should already have had it if they wouldn't have reset.
So i recommend using the "place portals anywhere"
cheat: Y, A, B, A, B, Y, Y, A, Left D-pad, Right D-pad
*Note! you need to save right before you finish the level and exit the game and then reload the save you just made in order for it to work.
i used cheats on test chamber 17 & 18.

Other than that there is not much more that i can help you with, use the other guides to complete the challenges.

All information on this glitch is highly appreciated! question or suggestions are also appreciated!

Good luck!