Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsIf you like Portal-style puzzles; rich philosophical speculation; and amazing, evocative music, this game was made for you
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2018
To put it simply: The Talos Principle is an incredible title in a (sadly) neglected genre (the first person puzzle game).
A deep, moving philosophical story wraps around more than a hundred puzzle spaces packed with engaging, challenging, but rarely frustrating puzzles--and all of it takes place in extremely beautiful settings greatly enhanced by one of the best game soundtracks ever. Many design and puzzle elements are reminiscent of Portal and Portal 2 (which I also love), but the visuals, settings, and mood are completely different, and the more challenging "star" puzzles require you to think outside of and connect the different puzzle rooms in ways I don't recall Portal ever doing, in part because Talos often takes place in much larger outdoor settings.
I've played the entire game twice--the first time (in 2015), I needed to look up a few of the puzzles near the end of the equally great included DLC ("Road to Gehenna"); the second time (in 2017), I only needed to look up one especially tricky star puzzle (and while I've played many games, I'm not a super hardcore gamer). Unlike The Witness, another first person puzzle game for the PS4 to which it's often compared, I've never found Talos frustrating because the puzzles don't require bizarrely difficult audio cues, tedious staring at minute details of objects and lighting, or memorization of a specific set of puzzles rules without an outside logic. Additionally, solving puzzles in Talos involves moving and acting (not looking at a single panel at a time), so even when you're stumped, you feel like you're doing things and making progress. Talos also provides more significant rewards for solving puzzles so even if you struggle, you ultimately get a sense of achievement. (This is not to say The Witness is not a brilliantly designed and challenging game--just to explain why I find Talos much more enjoyable to play). And the included DLC, "Road to Gehenna," tells a perhaps even more impressive and moving story than the main game in an incredibly creative, indirect manner while taking the puzzles to an even greater (but still ultimately fair) level of challenge.
I should also note that The Talos Principle is a rare game virtually free of tedium or unnecessary frustration. While it's not an action title, the character moves quickly and smoothly, and I never felt like any technical part of the game was letting it down in any way.
There are (tragically) very few game experiences like this for those who appreciate them--if you suspect you're one of those people, don't miss out. It's possible no other game succeeds quite as fully as an intellectual challenge, artistic statement, and engaging play experience all in one.
