The Talos Principle II

Ever wondered what it's like to be human? Ever wondered what makes us human and a toaster a machine? Ever wondered what makes us more than just biological goop wearing clothes? Neither have we, but The Talos Principle 2 is making us think about some of these philosophical questions with its excellent writing and complex conundrums, so we thought we'd make you ponder a few of our own.

A brilliant puzzler that will leave you pondering more than its challenges.

The Talos Principle 2 is a powerful puzzle game that builds on its predecessor and effortlessly takes your mind for a ride.

Talos Principle 2 is the best puzzler since 2011. This is as good as the genre gets and absolutely essential for puzzle game fans.

The Talos Principle 2 is a philosophical puzzle adventure game that’s also thought-provoking and has a deep narrative. It takes the foundation laid by the first game and expands on it in every way possible.

The Talos Principle II often left me staring at my screen in awe. Sometimes, from sheer intimidation in the face of a seemingly formidable puzzle. Other times,  from my incredulous pride after unraveling said problem. But most of all, the experience regularly gave me pause as I pondered a philosophical idea or argument that challenged my viewpoints on the nature of existence and humanity’s place in the cosmos. These moments spurred me to solve the game’s 100+ puzzles in search of answers, and I’m largely satisfied with what I discovered.

Original and imaginative experience for a puzzle game that delivers on all fronts.

For some fans, puzzle games are the pinnacle genre. The more obtuse the puzzles, the better. To be honest, I’m not in that group. I like puzzles, but I’m not into spending hours scratching my head, or combining a dozen random objects in order to open a door. Those kinds of puzzles seem arbitrary and disrespectful of my time, with scant payoff. The Talos Principle 2 has some pretty thorny puzzles, too, but they’re nested in a thoughtful, emotionally- and intellectually-stimulating setting and story. It’s the opposite of disrespectful.

The Talos Principle 2 is an incredible puzzle game with a thoughtful story that can't be beat, though it may need a little work on Steam Deck.

The Talos Principle 2 is an ambitious sequel that explores bold, if unambiguous territory in its philosophical robot puzzling.

Though an occasional lack of polish and size for size's sake approach doesn't always prove beneficial, a brilliant assortment of puzzles nestled amidst a thought-provoking but compelling narrative still grants The Talos Principle II status as a sequel well worth the near-decade wait. That Croteam can inject a surprising amount of smart designs into their puzzles, as much they can demonstrate a commendable level of maturity as to the writing and choices provided in their tale, proves that even after all these years, the team's talents across an array of departments remains untainted. And in the...

Both newcomers and fans looking forward to The Talos Principle 2 have a lot to be excited about and are welcome to our more in-depth analysis once it arrives on November 2 of this year for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.