The Talos Principle 2 – Review

If you are interested in a puzzle game, the Talos Principle 2 fits the bill, as it is downright incredible in the challenges it presents. Most importantly, the game also explores philosophical questions that will stick with you long after you have solved the puzzles. The sequel starts thousands of years after the original game.

The story

When the original Talos principle came to an end, there was an android left that was named Athena and it has now created a number of other androids and they have built the city of New Jerusalem. These androids consider themselves human and even though Athena has gone missing, they are working towards achieving The Goal. This is completing 1,000 humans for stepping into the shoes of the final one.

The story is tantalizing and it sends you on a trip to a unique island facing an impending shortage of energy, which boasts a huge pyramid called the Megastructure. You have to solve a number of clever puzzles and they only make things interesting. The good news is that you do not need to play the original Talos Principle game to know what is happening, but it does help. Once you are done with the introduction, the story is very straightforward.

You have to solve enough puzzles for activating the three towers that will give you access to the Megastructure. Here, you will be required to solve more puzzles and this will help you unlock the rest of the regions.

The puzzles

As far as the puzzles are concerned, solving them is pretty straightforward. You can interact with the objects that are scattered here and there, jump and run. The Talos Principle 2 does not involve any combat and there are fairly limited actions involved. Therefore, the real challenge is the many devious ways that you have to come up with for guiding the 1,000 to a puzzle-ending and specific pedestal in every area.

While everything sounds simple, such as moving a block close to the ledge and then jumping on it to get to the ledge, but doing it in practice is a tad different. Every puzzle makes you feel as if you are missing one item and they make you feel very dumb initially and then the smartest person when you are able to solve them.

The islands

When you are solving puzzles, you will have to walk through the numerous islands, which requires you to explore the Megastructure and also New Jerusalem. Talos Principle 2 really comes alive in this area. The most complicated aspects are the monuments that have been dedicated to different mythological figures who make an appearance in the story.

You get more puzzles to solve from the Sphinx Monuments, while the Prometheus Monuments require you to find the flying sparks that are hidden and then follow them back. These brain teasers are for those who enjoy puzzles and are a good break from the standard ones.