The Talos Principle

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 734 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 619 out of 734
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 734
  3. Negative: 51 out of 734

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  1. Voyou
    Jun 3, 2016
    5
    Decent graphics, nice atmosphere, and a cheap gimmick for a storyline are there, but they are not the most important aspects for a puzzles game. After all, I'd just come for a few puzzles per session, when I'm in the mood, and I consider a well done context as nothing more than a pleasant bonus.

    Maybe more useful to you is the following warning: Some 3D games give me motion sickness,    Decent graphics, nice atmosphere, and a cheap gimmick for a storyline are there, but they are not the most important aspects for a puzzles game. After all, I'd just come for a few puzzles per session, when I'm in the mood, and I consider a well done context as nothing more than a pleasant bonus.

    Maybe more useful to you is the following warning: Some 3D games give me motion sickness, others don't; The Talos Principle makes my stomach uneasy quite quickly, therefore I couldn't do more than a few puzzles in a session even if I wanted to.

    Anyway, here's what seriously lowers my opinion of this game: The puzzles are not intellectually challenging whatsoever, but do require a modicum of dexterity, with failure resulting in death and a puzzle's reset. Unfortunately, there are no free saves, only checkpoints. I'll never tire of repeating it: Bad annoying design ! I'm not interested in carrying a cube for 2 kilometres of desert only to have to do it again if I ever drop it at the wrong place or time when the actual play begins. No to backtracking. No to repeating. No to artificial lengthening.

    If you make your puzzles depend on fingers rather than brains, at least make it amusing.

    Still good enough for a very casual session once in a while. For its relaxing environment, not for its actual puzzles.    … Expand
  2. Dretzle
    May 4, 2015
    6
    The game is made out to be something more than it is. Enjoyable visuals. Good if you like small, self-contained puzzles, but lacking on a grander scale. Advertisements tout an amazing story, but it is more like a thought provoking philosophical dialog than a story with a plot.

    Admittedly, my low rating comes from my high expectations. I was thinking more along the lines of a larger    The game is made out to be something more than it is. Enjoyable visuals. Good if you like small, self-contained puzzles, but lacking on a grander scale. Advertisements tout an amazing story, but it is more like a thought provoking philosophical dialog than a story with a plot.

    Admittedly, my low rating comes from my high expectations. I was thinking more along the lines of a larger overarching adventure game with a plot (e.g. Myst and Riven of yesterdays) than a purely level-based puzzle game. It is good for what it is.    … Expand
  3. ZaPaAl
    Dec 6, 2015
    6
    With all the reviews raving how good it is, I really tried, clinging to hope it would pick up. It didn't.
    I managed about 2/3 of the game until I gave up and watched the endings. It seems for the best ending you don't even have to do all the uber difficult star puzzles.
    The puzzles are generally interesting, but there are so many of them (~120) and they took more and more time to    With all the reviews raving how good it is, I really tried, clinging to hope it would pick up. It didn't.
    I managed about 2/3 of the game until I gave up and watched the endings. It seems for the best ending you don't even have to do all the uber difficult star puzzles.

    The puzzles are generally interesting, but there are so many of them (~120) and they took more and more time to complete, with too little innovation in between. If only the story could motivate, but it's bits and pieces are hidden in longish texts on the terminal you pass by. Nice voice acting though. Nice, but lifeless scenery.

    They tried hard with this, the grave story and philosophical aspects I found quite impressing, but as a game it's not really that much fun.    … Expand
  4. TenchuuKhan
    Jun 26, 2015
    7
    It's a nice puzzle game with a good length but something is missing that would round it up to be a really good game.
    I have 23h on record and got all sigils, stars, and endings as far as I can tell.
    The main issue with the game is that the puzzles are quite repetitive and just classic laser redirection with a few twists. At times it can be challenging but it just won't come up with    It's a nice puzzle game with a good length but something is missing that would round it up to be a really good game.
    I have 23h on record and got all sigils, stars, and endings as far as I can tell.

    The main issue with the game is that the puzzles are quite repetitive and just classic laser redirection with a few twists. At times it can be challenging but it just won't come up with anything new.    … Expand
  5. psylife
    Apr 4, 2016
    6
    This is a perfect example of a game that could have been that much better by being substantially shorter. What is most surprising is that some puzzles are almost duplicates of others, which is unnecessary. That said, the puzzling aspect of this game is quite good and has nothing to envy from Portal. The atmosphere is intriguing and puts the player into an introspective stance. The visualsThis is a perfect example of a game that could have been that much better by being substantially shorter. What is most surprising is that some puzzles are almost duplicates of others, which is unnecessary. That said, the puzzling aspect of this game is quite good and has nothing to envy from Portal. The atmosphere is intriguing and puts the player into an introspective stance. The visuals are serviceable and the music is quite enjoyable yet quite repetitive. You will be at times invited to debate an AI through a DOS like interface, but in my personal experience, the choices allowed felt disloyal and rarely approximated my actual thinking. It is easy to recommend the game to puzzle solvers, however, I advise you to turn around if you are not particularly found of puzzle games in the first place.… Expand
  6. Hourless
    Aug 15, 2018
    7
    Surprised by the reviews honestly, should be at least 7/10.

    Gameplay: 9/10 Graphics: 7/10 Story (yes there was one); 4/10 Music/Sound: 7/10 Outdated Graphics, lifeless world, however the puzzles were unique and rarely repetitive but cmon though this is not 9/10 or 10/10 game. You got to take all the other attributes in a game to get a solid overall score, it had strong gameplay    Surprised by the reviews honestly, should be at least 7/10.

    Gameplay: 9/10
    Graphics: 7/10
    Story (yes there was one); 4/10
    Music/Sound: 7/10

    Outdated Graphics, lifeless world, however the puzzles were unique and rarely repetitive but cmon though this is not 9/10 or 10/10 game. You got to take all the other attributes in a game to get a solid overall score, it had strong gameplay but everything else was a bit average. It's like The Witness game all over again with the reviews.    … Expand
  7. SanctumRevel
    Dec 27, 2014
    5
    Now to best describe this game it would be hard so to simplify it s a puzzle game obviously smart one and challenging enough but in my oppinion puzzle games have all a fatal flaw boredom and this one is no diffrent puzzle after puzzle after puzzle untyl you can't take it anymore the story is just nothing new just to keep you going i would reccomend this only for puzzle fans everyone elseNow to best describe this game it would be hard so to simplify it s a puzzle game obviously smart one and challenging enough but in my oppinion puzzle games have all a fatal flaw boredom and this one is no diffrent puzzle after puzzle after puzzle untyl you can't take it anymore the story is just nothing new just to keep you going i would reccomend this only for puzzle fans everyone else after 1 hour of game you will be bored… Expand
  8. ChrisMattar
    Jan 10, 2015
    5
    Wow so many 10s ud think this indie game is the best thing ever.
    Reviewers here are so extreme its either a 10 or a zero. Stay away form extremes.
    A fun puzzler from an eastern european dev, worth no more than $10. At this price you'd expect far more. The are parallels with Portal, it's longing for that attention, but its not there at all. Still, enjoyable on an off day. My advice    Wow so many 10s ud think this indie game is the best thing ever.
    Reviewers here are so extreme its either a 10 or a zero. Stay away form extremes.

    A fun puzzler from an eastern european dev, worth no more than $10. At this price you'd expect far more.
    The are parallels with Portal, it's longing for that attention, but its not there at all.
    Still, enjoyable on an off day.
    My advice wait for a decent discount and get it under $10.    … Expand
  9. moontanned
    Jan 30, 2016
    5
    I started playing The Talos Principle with high expectations. Though I quickly realized I was mistaken. This 'puzzle game' is nothing more than connect the dots. Could have been so much more.
  10. GamestaUK
    Mar 5, 2015
    7
    The Talos Principle is a decent puzzler. A little predictable but still decent. The only problem is that it didn't grasp me. I was bored after a few hours and left it. But that's maybe just me.
  11. 12spageipriya
    Feb 21, 2015
    7
    The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle video game created by Croatian developer Croteam and published by Devolver Digital. The game features a philosophical storyline.
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  12. kezzyhko
    Aug 5, 2020
    7
    ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
  13. ozzsoffy
    Jun 8, 2023
    6
    I started this game without knowing anything about it, except that it is recommended. starting to play it I found out it is a 3D riddles game with many many riddles, (this is not a spoiler, by any means), playing the games individual riddle is very satisficing, and you can stop at any time, but, the true magic of the mage is the mystery and the need to figure out what is really going onI started this game without knowing anything about it, except that it is recommended. starting to play it I found out it is a 3D riddles game with many many riddles, (this is not a spoiler, by any means), playing the games individual riddle is very satisficing, and you can stop at any time, but, the true magic of the mage is the mystery and the need to figure out what is really going on (as I said, no spoilers here).

    I liked the soundtrack, I liked the graphic, soundtrack, and the story.

    I didn't liked the fact that the story is given in snippets, and every time by a little bite.

    totally recommended to anyone who love games with riddles, or games with philosophy story line.    … Expand
  14. CriticalHit20
    Oct 20, 2019
    7
    I played this years ago when it came out. I remember thinking the puzzles are a chore, the computer terminal annoying and the storyline and philosophizing not worth paying attention to. It did look very nice. I would not play a sequel. I would not necessarily recommend it to just anyone but if someone was inlcied to like this then I would suggest they might give this a try.
  15. spencerplewe
    Mar 12, 2020
    7
    I originally went into it with the wrong mindset, and judged it too quickly at first. The game really is all over the map with what one could take away from it. It takes many parallels to many philosophies, and really makes you ask the difficult questions. At the same time, you explore a series of well-defined and visually gorgeous worlds, solving dozens of excellent, mentally challengingI originally went into it with the wrong mindset, and judged it too quickly at first. The game really is all over the map with what one could take away from it. It takes many parallels to many philosophies, and really makes you ask the difficult questions. At the same time, you explore a series of well-defined and visually gorgeous worlds, solving dozens of excellent, mentally challenging puzzles. It's like Portal, elevated to a higher thematic & social level.

    I can't say I 100% agree with what I read was its theme, but give it a shot, see what you make of it, and let yourself grow with it.    … Expand
  16. Alexb1096
    Jul 24, 2020
    7
    ITALIAN:
    Bel gioco ma forse esagera.
    A me piacciono i puzzle game ma sono anche un casual gamer. In questo gioco la difficoltà aumenta troppo velocemente, al punto che dopo un po' completare un livello risultava un lavoro veramente molto impegnativo, forse troppo. Credo di essere arrivato al 25/30% del gioco e già c'erano enigmi di una complessità assurda. Per far capire quanto è folle    ITALIAN:
    Bel gioco ma forse esagera.
    A me piacciono i puzzle game ma sono anche un casual gamer. In questo gioco la difficoltà aumenta troppo velocemente, al punto che dopo un po' completare un livello risultava un lavoro veramente molto impegnativo, forse troppo.
    Credo di essere arrivato al 25/30% del gioco e già c'erano enigmi di una complessità assurda.
    Per far capire quanto è folle il gioco basti pensare che ci sono decine e decine di parametri da regolare solo per le impostazioni video del gioco, ed è un gioco in cui la componente video è l'ultima cosa che deve preoccupare.

    In ogni caso cerco di analizzare il gioco per punti

    AUDIO E GRAFICA:
    Ottima grafica del gioco e buon audio, ma il level design (che vuole creare un'atmosfera astratta ma realistica) mi è risultato un po' pesante e a tratti fastidioso. Non so davvero perché, non è fatto male, ma il contesto del gioco dopo un po' ha smesso di ispirarmi.

    GAMEPLAY:
    Il gioco si sviluppa in aree, ognuna delle quali possiede diversi livelli da risolvere.
    Completando i livelli si sbloccano nuovi oggetti da poter utilizzare negli enigmi e procedendo i livelli diventano sempre più complessi, finendo per richiedere tutti gli oggetti sbloccati fino a quel punto e anche più volte ognuno di essi.
    Il punto di non ritorno, nonostante sia davvero un'ottima pensata, è il registratore di movimenti. A parte i primi livelli in cui compare, dopo richiede così tanti ragionamenti che mi ha fatto passare la voglia di giocare.

    STORIA:
    Già, c'è una storia dietro questo gioco. Ha chiaramente qualche riferimento alla creazione biblica della razza umana, con la tentazione e il peccato, però anche questa mi è risultata pesante e fastidiosa.

    Personalmente un difetto che ho trovato nel gioco è che la terza persona funziona male e a volte la visuale torna in prima persona (anche senza che la telecamera collida con un muro), inoltre le animazioni del robot che si controlla sono discutibili.
    Infine il FOV, in qualunque settaggio, mi dà un po' la nausea e se per caso si utilizza la funzione di zoom si rischia di creare un effetto vertigo cinematografico che alla lunga mi fa girare la testa.

    Per concludere, gioco ottimo ma non sono il giocatore per apprezzarlo.

    Voto: 6.5/10    … Expand
  17. bergcamp101
    Aug 10, 2020
    7
    I think, it's a good game in its genre, but still despite all beauty, it's a casual bunch-of-same-puzzles thing, which is, again, great in its genre, but can't be compared with the classic quest tops.
  18. marsitguy
    Aug 15, 2022
    7
    This game will make you think about your/our existence. It's very philosophical, but also educational.
    What I didn't like is that it bugged out towards the end, making it really difficult for me to solve the riddles.

    All in all, a good play, but I don't like people comparing it to Portal.

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PC Game of 2014
43
#43 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. Impulsegamer
    Aug 24, 2015
    88
    Come for the puzzles stay for the philosophy.
    Read full review
  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Jul 28, 2015
    90
    The world, puzzles, narrative and music are all served to the player in small helpings, never overwhelming and allowing you to soak in and become one with the world. By the end of the game, it has challenged your mind in multiple ways.
    Read full review
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 18, 2015
    91
    Satisfying puzzles, philosophically engaging storyline and exquisite presentation combine to make The Talos Principle one of the best of its genre. [Feb 2015]
See all critic reviews »