Just another test chamber, or is it? Not everything is as it seems.

Quick note: The dropbox version of this isn't the most up to date version, if you can, download the one from the Workshop.

Update (17/05/2012):
Updated it to remove a bug where the first audio file of Cave will repeat itself if the player re-enters the trigger.

Update (14/05/2012):
- Made the easter egg actually do something
- Changed some walls to be noticeably non-portalable.
- Added confirmation sounds to some buttons, to notify the player in case the skin doesn't work correctly.

Click here to download Facade

Click here to download Facade

&

Looks like a cool map, but unable to download. Can you please provide a direct download link?

Sure, http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3851117/sp_facade.rar

Just made an update to the map. The not so secret secret actually does something now instead of disappointing test subjects, and I also made some areas a little less confusing.

Really nice map! Puzzle was pretty nonexistant but the visuals and the atmosphere were done really well.

I have nothing more to say. Well done!

Thanks, but could you elaborate some more on how the puzzle was nonexistant? Just as an improvement when I work on another map.

Good map, I really liked the visuals, a nice interesting journey. I did have a couple of issues though. I found in the vertical ascent part that it was a bit frustrating as I couldn't really see where I was going. I pretty much just kept shooting my portal up there until it hit something.
The only other thing was that I would have liked it if there was an actual use for the companion cube.

Having said that it was a great map, keep up the good work

Hey, thanks for the reply. I've got quite a bit of feedback from the first issue you pointed out, and it seems pretty common, where people don't know whether to keep going up or try get back down. I could possibly add some arrows pointing upwards or something. Out of interest, did you use the zoom key to look around? Also, the companion cube does have a use, right at the end of the level to open the door to some more.

Arrows would be a good idea. Another idea (feel free to ignore) you could potentially make it not as high so that it's easier to see.

I don't really see that as being too possible, with the way everything is currently laid out, but it'd be a good idea if I could. The idea is you follow the pipes up and see where those go, but it seems that didn't work too well.

Cheers, I really enjoyed this map
It took a little while to figure out the vertical pipes, but when I'm playing a map with such attention to detail and great visuals, there's a certain confidence that the map is completable and isn't gonna be some ridiculous solution - so I was happy exploring!

Awesome visuals and atmosphere! I had the same issue with the vertical part, I finally noclipped around to find out where to go next. I liked the wobbly panel in the final room. Unfortunatey, I accidently fizzled the real companion cube to find out that the freshly spawned one doesn't open the door - so apparently you have to bring the real one, well done!

I don't know if this is fixable or not, but the giant fan rotates the wrong way.

This is a beautifully constructed map, but not much fun for me to play. I prefer maps with good puzzles to solve, not just chores to complete along the way. If you could combine your artistry with Chander's puzzle-making (to cite one outstanding example among the few true great ones), Valve might hire you to do Portal 3!

This is one of the best maps I never want to play again. 4/5.

Didn't expect so many comments over a short period of time, thanks everyone.

sicklebrick wrote:
Cheers, I really enjoyed this map
It took a little while to figure out the vertical pipes, but when I'm playing a map with such attention to detail and great visuals, there's a certain confidence that the map is completable and isn't gonna be some ridiculous solution - so I was happy exploring!

The vertical pipes do confuse a fair few people, but I tried to make the area in which you explore pretty small, so it's easier to eventually find. Glad you enjoyed it.

zivi7 wrote:
Awesome visuals and atmosphere! I had the same issue with the vertical part, I finally noclipped around to find out where to go next. I liked the wobbly panel in the final room. Unfortunatey, I accidently fizzled the real companion cube to find out that the freshly spawned one doesn't open the door - so apparently you have to bring the real one, well done!

Yep, the real companion cube has a name, and only that cube with that name can open the door.

KennKong wrote:
I don't know if this is fixable or not, but the giant fan rotates the wrong way.

This is a beautifully constructed map, but not much fun for me to play. I prefer maps with good puzzles to solve, not just chores to complete along the way. If you could combine your artistry with Chander's puzzle-making (to cite one outstanding example among the few true great ones), Valve might hire you to do Portal 3!

This is one of the best maps I never want to play again. 4/5.

Thanks for the honest feedback. I'm not too great at developing puzzles, so I tried to hide it somewhat with the visuals and some unique 'puzzles' (or chores, heh). The fan is an easy fix, and I actually changed it so it went in that direction after consideration. Guess I should've left it.

Mirroring my workshop feedback here, so that TWP visitors can see it:

I'm not quite sure what the story was here. One moment we're worried about multiverses in a decayed aperture, next we're in a relatively clean chamber? Either way, the puzzles were great, and visually everything was more than up to scratch. Getting the blue gel to land in the right spot was a pain - but then again, players never look up, so that one's my own fault. Thanks for mapping.