Written by Rhiannen ‘Doomcutie’ Austin
It’s an unsuspecting title, originally The Talos Principle 2 did not catch my eye, however, after deep-diving into the history of the original game, it opened my eyes to a beloved world I never thought possible.
The lore behind this game is remarkable and has quite a devoted following online, quite a dark horse if I may say so. But did it live up to the hype?
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Published by Devolver Digital and developed by Croteam, The Talos Principle 2 will have you marinating in a world full of rich, meaningful narratives all the while solving some incredibly well-designed puzzles.
Players enter the “real world” as an android following a cataclysmic virus that appears to have wiped out humanity as we currently know it. Your messiah and the first android, Athena, has taken it upon herself to repopulate the planet with one thousand denizens, known as The Goal, and you’re the lucky thousandth. This collective of vastly unique androids set upon establishing civilisation in New Jerusalem.
Completion of The Goal is cause for celebration! As soon as you join the festivities a large spectral figure presents you and a small group of fellow androids with a challenge outside the safety of the city. Thus beginning your adventure!
Do you need to play The Talos Principal 1 to play the sequel?
Now, if you haven’t played the first game or any puzzle games, don’t let that stop you from trying this game. The introductory level has been lovingly crafted to quickly teach you what you need to succeed in this puzzling world. At first, I was quite perplexed but was soon brought up to speed with the game’s cognitive challenges.
An earlier level saw me stumped about reaching a higher area, after painstakingly walking in circles and nearly pulling my hair out the solution was quite simple. The puzzles all revolve around using lasers, portals, boxes and pressure plates to reach the next area.
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The developers clearly have their player’s best interest in mind, as players can turn puzzle tool hints on or off which can be extremely helpful. To complement this, once the game begins, there is an opportunity for you to collect an item called a Prometheus Spark which can be used on the entry of any puzzle to instantly solve it.
To someone new to puzzle games, it may seem strange to combine them with a complex, thought-provoking narrative. However, the game mechanics do a fantastic job of creating a curious dance between the two themes. As you maneuver 1K, your endearingly named android, you are empowered to move forward and learn more about the game’s philosophical teachings about life.
With every puzzle you gain knowledge about the game’s story; as well as puzzle-solving techniques. Over 30 hours in, this is mindfully increased as you begin to combine your newfound puzzle-solving skills, with some demanding you to think four or five steps ahead. This gradual acceleration can bring frustration but the feeling of those “ah huh!” moments, flooding your brain with dopamine will have any gamer coming back for more.
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The Talos Principal 2 is ‘beautiful’
If the questioning of your existence or unique and challenging puzzles aren’t enough to pique your interest, then the setting of the game will definitely turn your head.
Developed in Unreal Engine 5, the scenery of the game is beautiful. From lush, green tropical forests to snowy mountain tops and sweeping desserts, your eyes will certainly always find something interesting to look at. Keep an eye out for the little easter egg QR codes scattered throughout the game, I found these very cute and exciting to discover. Players have the option of first or third person, and whichever you choose, the movement of 1K and the camera was smooth.
The NPCs are all well developed, with fine details and unique character voicing, all combined cohesively to create welcomed companions on my journey through the game.
With a strong overarching narrative and thoughtfully sequenced puzzles, The Talos Principle 2, will have both newbies and veterans of the puzzle gaming genre feeling challenged and supported.
Overall I felt this game presented a cosy but futuristic experience to me as a player, which I was positively surprised by. Quality of life is a clear priority for the development team, as they guide you through this game with clear communication of actions and as well as the sequence of puzzles.
This sequel really cements Croteam’s place in the puzzle game genre with this excellent addition to its catalogue.
Quest Daily scores The Talos Principal 2: 9/10
The Talos Principal 2 is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
A copy of The Talos Prinipal 2 was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of this review.
