LogFAQs > #929195576

9. GLaDOS (Portal)
Nominated by Mycro
Okay, look: We both said a lot of things that you're going to regret, but I think we can put our differences behind us; for science... you monster.


The big personality of Portal comes from GLaDOS. Shes this all-seeing computerized voice that instructs you through these puzzle rooms. Shes snarky and sarcastic. As you go through the testing chambers, it soon becomes clear that GLaDOS has her own agenda and that agenda involves your death. In Portal 2, she plays a somewhat different role, acting as a reluctant ally to Chell, though still with her own agenda.

I love exploring AI tropes in fiction. Video games seem particularly well-equipped to handle this sort of subject. GLaDOS is a malevolent AI who wants you dead (but now she only wants you gone), but shes not humorless; shes quick with one-liners and deadpan snark. The whole memey bit about cake comes from GLaDOS. She sings one of gamings very first and still probably biggest meme songs. Shes an enduring cultural icon for a reason. The voice acting is perfect, the gradual reveal of the extent of her personality is perfect, and she even undergoes real character development. Shes great.