The Talos Principle Critic Reviews

It’s a game that constantly entices you to see what the next puzzle or story bit has to offer. In that regard, it rarely disappoints, and the experience stays with you long after you finish it.

The Talos Principle is one of the most brilliant and engaging puzzle games ever made, with a fantastic and contemplative story that isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions. It’s a masterpiece.

The Talos Principle ties its seemingly disparate parts together beautifully, making for a game that is every bit as smart as it purports to be.

There’s enough to satisfy those looking for either puzzles or an interesting story, but if you’re searching for both, then The Talos Principle is going to be something very, very special for you.

As an indie game by a team known for the wild first-person shooter Serious Sam, not much was expected, and yet what we got was a fantastic puzzle game blended with a story and world surpassing that of most video games by being thought-provoking, well-crafted, and actually having something to say.

The Talos Principle is a masterfully executed first person puzzler, with a thought provoking narrative that delves with class into profound philosophical questions. Once you start playing and you figure out what's going on, it's hard to put the game down, even thought it's very demanding and intense.

Games that are this thought provoking and enjoyable are rare. Rarer still are those that imbue this level of pride and honor upon completion.

They’ve done it again, and created something that is truly impressive. If you enjoy puzzle games, pick this up. If you want a deep and meaningful story, you can also get that here as you can plod along at your own pace, stopping at all of the terminals. If you just want something pretty to look at, boot up The Talos Principle and see how high you can crank the visual settings.

Satisfying puzzles, philosophically engaging storyline and exquisite presentation combine to make The Talos Principle one of the best of its genre.

You’ve got to be in the mood for Talos. It’s demanding of your time and attention, especially if you’re the type that wants to finish most things you start. And you’ve got to have a love affair with words...But if that describes you … this game can be magical. The result is a little melancholy, a little melodramatic, but one of the better puzzle game presentations I’ve ever played.

The Talos Principle is a game of challenges and conundrums and philosophical wonderings, filled with logic puzzles and cerebral mysteries.

It’s a game that aspires to be more than what we traditionally expect, and one that has an intangible quality that makes it more than the sum of its parts. It’ll stay with you after you’ve completed it and call you back to explore its hidden corners to see what else you’ll uncover there.

This is the best puzzle game of the year. A very clever, Portal-ish experience you shouldn't miss.

The Talos Principle is a meaty puzzle experience that will take you over a dozen hours to complete and then leave you chewing on some of life’s greatest mysteries for weeks. You might not be able to solve the nature of humanity, but the rest of this game’s puzzles will leave you feeling brilliant enough to try.

The Talos Principle is an absolute joy to play, packed to the gills with expertly designed puzzles and enough ancillary content to make any history of philosophy buff salivate. But all of that is almost beside the point in the face of the game's thematic ambitions.

As the game suggests, "Peril and paradise are inextricable," and without the tricky puzzles, there wouldn't be nearly as much satisfaction.

With its superb philosophic narrative, and a ton of well-implemented puzzles, The Talos Principle is the real surprise of 2014. Croteam's work is simply brilliant in every single aspect.

Ditch the podcasts or netflix for some games that seem to want you to enjoy in parallel to the experience. If you don't focus on The Talos Principle alone, you'll never experience that sublime moment, where some puzzles seem to solve themselves, because you instinctively get this world's inner workings and use its tools with machine-like efficiency.

It’s an experience that truly stretched different parts of my mind in more satisfying way than Portal.

As a straight puzzle game The Talos Principle is very solid, but the setting and narrative really elevate it into something special.