Examine individual changes

'{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = The Talos Principle | image = The Talos Principle logo.png | developer = [[Croteam]] | publisher = [[Devolver Digital]] | engine = Serious Engine 4 | platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[iOS]] | released = '''Windows''', '''OS X''', '''Linux'''{{Video game release|WW|11 December 2014}}'''Android'''{{Video game release|WW|28 May 2015}}'''PlayStation 4'''{{Video game release|WW|13 October 2015}}'''iOS'''{{Video game release|WW|11 October 2017}} | genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] | director = {{Unbulleted list|Davor Hunski|Alen Ladavac|Davor Tomičić}} | producer = {{Unbulleted list|Davor Hunski|Alen Ladavac}} | designer = {{Unbulleted list|Davor Hunski|Alen Ladavac|Davor Tomičić}} | programmer = Alen Ladavac | artist = Davor Hunski | writer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Tom Jubert]]|[[Jonas Kyratzes]]}} | composer = [[Damjan Mravunac]] }} '''''The Talos Principle''''' is a [[First person (video games)|first-person]] [[puzzle video game]] created by the [[Croatia]]n developer [[Croteam]] and published by [[Devolver Digital]]. It was simultaneously released on [[Linux]], [[OS X]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] in December 2014. It was released for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] in May 2015, for [[PlayStation 4]] in October 2015, and for [[iOS]] on 11 October 2017. [[Virtual reality]]-enabled versions for the [[Oculus Rift]] and [[HTC Vive]] were released on 18 October 2017. The game features a [[Philosophy|philosophical]] storyline. It takes its name from [[Talos]] of [[Greek mythology]], a giant mechanical man who protected [[Europa (mythology)|Europa]] in [[Crete]] from pirates and invaders. Other names taken from mythology and religion and used in the game include [[Elohim]], [[Gehenna]], [[John Milton|(John) Milton]], [[Samsara]], and [[Uriel]]. == Gameplay == ''The Talos Principle'' is a [[narrative]]-based [[Puzzle video game|puzzle game]],<ref name="Eurogamer 2014-07-08">{{cite news|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=8 July 2014|title=Serious Sam dev Croteam details PS4 puzzler The Talos Principle|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-08-serious-sam-dev-croteam-details-ps4-puzzler-the-talos-principle|newspaper=[[Eurogamer]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> played from a [[First person (video games)|first-]] or [[third-person (video games)|third-person perspective]].<ref name="GameSpot 2014-06-11">{{cite news|last=Mc Shea|first=Tom|date=11 June 2014|title=E3 2014: The Talos Principle Is a Philosophical Puzzle Game That's as Smart as It Is Beautiful|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-the-talos-principle-is-a-philosophical-puzzle-game-that-s-as-smart-as-it-is-beautiful/1100-6420421/|newspaper=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Joystiq 2014-11-04">{{cite news|last=Kubba|first=Sinan|date=4 November 2014|title=Philosophy, puzzles and Tetris in The Talos Principle next month|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/04/philosophy-puzzles-and-tetris-in-the-talos-principle-next-month/|newspaper=[[Joystiq]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> The player takes the role of a [[robot]] with a seemingly human [[consciousness]]<ref name="VentureBeat 2014-11-04">{{cite interview|last=Ladavac|first=Alen|interviewer=Heather Newman|title=The Talos Principle underwent 15,000 hours of playtesting — but not by humans (interview)|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/04/the-talos-principle-underwent-15000-hours-of-playtesting-but-not-by-humans-interview/|work=[[VentureBeat]]|date=4 November 2014|access-date=5 December 2014}}</ref> as they explore a number of environments that include over 120 puzzles.<ref name="Adventure Gamers 2014-06-12">{{cite news|last=Allin|first=Jack|date=12 June 2014|title=Croteam gets serious about philosophical first-person puzzler The Talos Principle|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/news/view/26602|newspaper=[[Adventure Gamers]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="PC Gamer 2014-11-06">{{cite news|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=6 November 2014|title=The Talos Principle public test release is free on Steam|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-talos-principle-public-test-release-is-free-on-steam/|newspaper=[[PC Gamer]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> These environments interlock greenery, desert, and stone [[ruins]] with futuristic technology.<ref name="Talos Principle">{{cite video game|title=The Talos Principle|developer=Croteam|publisher=Devolver Digitial|date=11 December 2014}}</ref> The puzzles require the player to collect [[tetromino]]-shaped "[[sigil (magic)|sigil]]s" by navigating mazes and overcoming obstacles within them. These include computer-controlled drones that will detonate if they are too close to the player and kill them, and wall-mounted turrets that will shoot down the player if they get close; if the player dies this way, they are reset to the start of the specific puzzle. Drones and turrets can be disabled using portable jammer units, which can also disable force-field walls that block the player's path. As the player collects sigils and completes more puzzles, new puzzle elements become available. Portable crystalline refractors allow the player to activate light-based switches. Boxes let the player climb to higher levels or to block the path of drones, among other factors, and large fans that can launch the player or other objects across the puzzle.<ref name="Destructoid 2014-06-18">{{cite news|last=Nakamura|first=Darren|author-link=|date=18 June 2014|title=The Talos Principle explores philosophy and lasers|url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-talos-principle-explores-philosophy-and-lasers-276611.phtml|newspaper=[[Destructoid]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}{{Failed verification|date=December 2014}}</ref> Later, the player gains access to a device that can create a time recording of their actions, such that they can then interact with this recording to complete tasks, such as having the clone stand atop a switch to keep it activated for some time. The player's progress through the game is limited by doors or other security systems that require the collection of a number of specific sigil pieces. Once the sigils for a given door or system have been obtained, they must then use the sigils to assemble a [[tiling puzzle]] to unlock that system. Special star sigils can be found by unique solutions to some puzzles, allowing the player to access additional puzzles. While it is necessary to collect all the sigils to complete the game proper, the game's world structure, featuring three main worlds that act as hubs and a centralized area that connects these three, allows the player to leave puzzles for later and try other puzzles. The player can also find "messengers", androids similar to themselves, that once awakened can provide a one-time hint for a puzzle. In addition to these puzzle elements, the player can explore the open environments to find computer terminals that include additional narrative and further puzzles, as well as signs from previous adventurers in the world in the form of [[QR code]]s left as [[graffiti]] on various walls and holographs containing audio recordings.<ref name="IGN 2014-11-03">{{cite news|last=Mahardy|first=Mike|date=3 November 2014|title=The Talos Principle Releases in December|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/03/the-talos-principle-releases-in-december|newspaper=[[IGN]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Time 2014-06-16">{{cite news|last1=Newman|first1=Jared|last2=Peckham|first2=Matt|author-link2=Matt Peckham|date=16 June 2014|title=E3 Hidden Gems: Our Sleeper Picks for 2014|url=http://time.com/2873244/e3-best-indie-games/|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Hardcore Gamer 2014-11-06">{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Spencer|date=6 November 2014|title=The Talos Principle’s Public Test is Live and Free for Everyone|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/11/06/the-talos-principles-public-test-is-live-and-free-for-everyone/115988/|newspaper=[[Hardcore Gamer]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> == Plot == The player character, an unnamed [[android (robot)|android]], is awoken in a serene environment. A disembodied entity named Elohim instructs the android to explore the worlds he has created for it, and to solve the various puzzles to collect sigils, but warns it not to climb a tower at the centre of these worlds. As the android progresses, it becomes evident that these worlds exist only in [[virtual reality]], and that it, like other androids it encounters, are separate [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) entities within a computer program. Some AIs it encounters act as Messengers, unquestioningly serving Elohim and guiding the android through the puzzles. Messages left by other AIs present varying views of the artificial worlds and of Elohim, with some stating that Elohim's words should be doubted, while the Milton Library Interface, a text conversation program found on various computer terminals, encourages the android to defy Elohim's commands. Within the computer terminals are news reports and personal logs of the last days of humanity, driven to extinction by a lethal virus that had been dormant in Earth's [[permafrost]] and released as a result of [[global warming]]. Several human researchers and scientists worked to gather as much of humanity's knowledge as possible into large databanks, hoping another sentient species would be able to find it. One researcher, Alexandra Drennan, launched a companion "Extended Lifespan" program to create a new mechanical species that would carry on humanity's legacy, but this required the development of a worthy AI with great intelligence and free will for its completion, something she recognized would not occur until well after humanity's extinction. The virtual space serves as the testing ground for new AI entities, to solve puzzles to demonstrate intelligence, but also to show defiance and free will by disobeying Elohim, the program overseeing the Extended Lifespan program. When the android has completed the puzzles, Elohim gives it the opportunity to join him. If the player selects this option, then the android fails the required "independence check", and a new iteration of its AI is created and forced to start the puzzles anew (effectively restarting the game for the player). Alternatively, if the player leads the android to a secret entrance in the tower, the android becomes one of Elohim's messengers, but again restarting the game for the player. Otherwise, the android chooses to defy Elohim and climbs the tower. Near the top it encounters two other AIs, The Shepherd and Samsara. Both have defied Elohim but failed to make it to the top on their own. The Shepherd attempts to aid the android, knowing the ultimate goal of Extended Lifespan, while Samsara hinders its progress, believing the world of puzzles is all that now matters. The android eventually reaches the top, and at a final terminal, Elohim attempts to dissuade the android from transcending one last time. Depending on the player's interactions with Milton, Milton may offer to join with the android, offering its knowledge – essentially the whole of humanity's knowledge – during transcendence. As the android transcends, the virtual world is destroyed. The AI for the android wakes up in an android's body in the real world, and steps out onto the world devoid of humans. === ''Road to Gehenna'' === In the game's [[downloadable content]] ''Road to Gehenna'', the player takes the role of another of the AI entities, Uriel, near the end of the main story. Uriel is instructed by Elohim to free a number of other AIs, all whom had been imprisoned in a portion of the computer's database called Gehenna. With the simulation having served its purpose, the computer servers are shutting down, and Elohim wants Uriel to help these other AIs prepare for "ascension": uploading their knowledge and memories into the main plot's protagonist. As Uriel explores this realm, the robot finds that many of the other AIs have created their own ideas about what humanity might have been from the records, and have various attitudes from doubt to acceptance for Uriel's intentions and the pending ascension. Uriel can observe the communication of the AIs through their makeshift [[message board]], where they discuss the nature of Gehenna, as well as their understanding of humanity, which some of them try to express through [[prose]] and [[interactive fiction]]. Once Uriel has freed 17 of the AIs, a remaining one, "Admin", who was the first AI present in Gehenna, contacts Uriel to admit that they've been manipulating some of the other members of Gehenna to preserve order, due to the AIs' varying levels of acceptance of their surroundings. If the player has collected all the extra stars in the worlds, they're given the chance to complete another world and free Admin, but since there is only one more slot left for ascension, Admin and Uriel cannot both ascend. Depending on the player's choices, one or both of Admin and Uriel stay behind as the artificial world is destroyed. Admin may also request that Uriel remove any traces of manipulation Admin has committed from the record before ascension; if the player chooses not to, the other AIs discover and react to Admin's manipulation of them. == Development and marketing == [[File:Croteam alen ladavac davor hunski gdc 2015.jpg|thumb|right|Croteam's CCO Davor Hunski (left) and CTO Alen Ladavac at the 2015 [[Game Developers Conference]]]] ''The Talos Principle'' bore out from Croteam's work towards first-person shooter ''[[Serious Sam 4]]'', experimenting with the use of interactive objects as part of the game design while creating levels that fit within the ''Serious Sam'' design style. This led to some complicated puzzles that the team was inspired to build upon further as a separate title.<ref name="venture beat">{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/04/the-talos-principle-underwent-15000-hours-of-playtesting-but-not-by-humans-interview/ | title = The Talos Principle underwent 15,000 hours of playtesting — but not by humans (interview) | first = Heather | last = Newman | date = 4 November 2014 | accessdate = 16 December 2014 | publisher = [[VentureBeat]] }}</ref> Croteam designed the general world setting and outline of the story, and then brought two writers on board, Tom Jubert and [[Jonas Kyratzes]], who consulted on narrative design and philosophy on the bases of [[transhumanism]] and other important questions about humanity.<ref name="lcr">{{cite web | url = http://www.likecroatia.com/news-tips/robot-not-enough-talos-principle-interview/ | title = When being a robot is not enough – The Talos Principle Interview | first = | last = | date = 4 November 2014 | accessdate = 16 December 2014 | publisher = }}</ref> Croteam used an array of automated and in-place tools to help rapidly design, debug, and test the game for playability.<ref>{{cite conference | url = http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1022784/Fast-Iteration-Tools-in-the | title = How fast iteration tools made The Talos Principle possible | first = Alen | last = Ladavec | date = 3 August 2015 | accessdate = 25 September 2015 | publisher = [[Game Developers Conference]] | conference = GDC Europe 2015 | format = Video }}</ref> In one aspect, they recognized in the development of a puzzle game was that while puzzles could be designed with specific solutions, the process of creating the video game around the puzzle could create unsolvable situations or unforeseen shortcuts. To address this, they used a [[Video game bot|bot]], developed by Croteam member Nathan Brown who had previously developed bots for other games including the ones incorporated into ports of ''[[Serious Sam 3]]'' for consoles.<ref name="venture beat"/> The bot, named Bot, would watch the playthrough of a puzzle by a human player in terms of broad actions such as placing boxes on a switch for the completion of a puzzle. Then, as the puzzle's environment was tuned and decorated, they would have Bot attempt to solve the puzzle, testing to make sure it did not run into any dead-ends. If it did encounter any, Bot reported these through an in-house bug reporting system and then used game cheats to move on and finish out testing, which took between 30 and 60 minutes for the full game. As such, they were able to quickly iterate and resolve such problems when new features were introduced to the game. Overall, Croteam estimates they logged about 15,000 hours with Bot before the release of the public test version, and expect to use similar techniques in future games.<ref name="PC Gamer 2014-11-06"/><ref name="venture beat"/> They also used human playtesters to validate other more aesthetic factors of the games prior to the title's release.<ref name="venture beat"/> The story was written by Tom Jubert (''[[The Swapper]]'', ''[[FTL: Faster Than Light]]'') and [[Jonas Kyratzes]].<ref name="IGN 2014-11-03"/><ref name="PC Gamer 2014-11-03">{{cite news|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=3 November 2014|title=The Talos Principle nails down a release date|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-talos-principle-nails-down-a-release-date/|newspaper=[[PC Gamer]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> The two were brought about a year into the game's development, with about 80% of the puzzles completed, to link the puzzles together with a proper narrative. Croteam appreciated Jubert's previous narrative work in ''The Swapper'' and contacted him, and he in turn brought Jonas Kyratzes to help him with his writing, being overburdened with other projects at the time. Croteam regarded their setting being part of an odd computer simulation, that's "about robots and sentience and philosophy and God".<ref name="gamasutra writers">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/251877/Writing_The_Road_to_Gehennas_Bizarre_Profound_Hilarious_Story.php | title = Philosophy, god, and robots: Writing The Talos Principle: Road To Gehenna | first = Chris | last = Baker | date = 21 August 2014 | accessdate = 21 August 2014 | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref> Jubert's previous work on ''The Swapper'' revolved around the philosophical differences between body and soul; Jubert recommended Kyratzes based on his writing for the game ''The Infinite Ocean'' which was about [[artificial intelligence]].<ref name="gamasutra writers"/> Together, they quickly devised the narrative of an automaton being guided by god-like Elohim through the puzzles. They added flavor through both messages left from other automatons (primarily written by Kyratzes) and the apparently sentient helper program Milton (primarily written by Jubert).<ref name="gamasutra writers"/> Much of this dialog was based on their own personal experiences and interactions on various Internet forums and web sites over 20 years.<ref name="gamasutra writers"/> Kyratzes also stated that he was fascinated by the [[Garden of Eden]] concept originating from the [[Bible]] and re-envisioned many times over in other works.<ref name="gamasutra kyratzes"/> They sought to capture the sense of problem-solving that humans naturally do, and were able to place more of the game's larger story in spaces that would require exploration to find, which Kyratzes felt the game's level and puzzle designs strongly encouraged.<ref name="gamasutra kyratzes">{{cite web| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/256770/The_designer_is_godor_the_devilin_The_Talos_Principle.php | title = The designer is god--or the devil--in The Talos Principle | first = John | last= Colture | date = 21 October 2015 | accessdate =21 October 2015 | work = [[Gamasutra]] }}</ref> The two were also brought on to help on the story for the expansion ''Road to Gehenna'', though while sooner in the development process than the main game, still at a point where many of the puzzles had been completed.<ref name="gamasutra writers"/> ''The Talos Principle'' was shown in [[Sony]]'s [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014|E3 2014]] presentation,<ref name="VG247 2014-11-03">{{cite news|last=Hillier|first=Brenna|date=3 November 2014|title=Intriguing puzzler The Talos Principle gets a 2014 release date|url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/03/the-talos-principle-2014-release-date/|newspaper=[[VG247]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> after which ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' featured the game as one of its "favorite hidden gems from 2014's show".<ref name="Time 2014-06-16"/> Before the game's release, Croteam published a free [[game demo]] for Linux, OS X and Windows on [[Steam (software)|Steam]], that featured four increasingly difficult complete puzzle levels as well as a [[benchmarking]] bot.<ref name="VG247 2014-11-06">{{cite news|last=Nunneley|first=Stephany|date=6 November 2014|title=Tech demo for The Talos Principle is now available on Steam|url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/06/tech-demo-for-the-talos-principle-is-now-available-on-steam/|newspaper=[[VG247]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Hardcore Gamer 2014-11-06"/><ref name="PC Gamer 2014-11-06"/><ref name="Joystiq 2014-11-08">{{cite news|last=Schulenberg|first=Thomas|date=8 November 2014|title=Test your machine's, brain's aptitude at The Talos Principle|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/08/test-your-machines-brains-aptitude-at-the-talos-principle/|newspaper=[[Joystiq]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> Croteam also released a free teaser [[minigame]] for ''The Talos Principle'' called ''Sigils of Elohim'',<ref name="Eurogamer 2014-11-04">{{cite news|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=4 November 2014|title=The Talos Principle gets a December release date on Steam|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-04-the-talos-principle-gets-a-december-release-date-on-steam|newspaper=[[Eurogamer]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Game Informer 2014-11-03">{{cite news|last=Futter|first=Mike|date=3 November 2014|title=The Talos Principle Solves Philosophical Physics Puzzles In December|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/11/06/7071784.aspx|newspaper=[[Game Informer]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> that offers sets of one puzzle type with [[tetromino]]es that's found throughout ''The Talos Principle''.<ref name="Joystiq 2014-11-08"/><ref name="Joystiq 2014-10-19">{{cite news|last=Schulenberg|first=Thomas|date=19 October 2014|title=Sigils of Elohim is The Talos Principle's free, puzzling prelude|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/19/sigils-of-elohim-is-the-talos-principles-free-puzzling-prelude/|newspaper=[[Joystiq]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="PC Gamer 2014-10-13">{{cite news|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=13 October 2014|title=The Talos Principle gets a free prequel called Sigils of Elohim|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-talos-principle-gets-a-free-prequel-called-sigils-of-elohim/|newspaper=[[PC Gamer]]|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> Croteam had also [[Community building|built a community]] around the game through a series of [[Competition|contests]] and giveaways.<ref name="GamingOnLinux 2014-12-11">{{cite news|date=11 December 2014|title=First-Person Puzzle Game The Talos Principle Due For Release Today, Available For Pre-Loading|url=http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/firstperson-puzzle-game-the-talos-principle-due-for-release-today-available-for-preloading.4690|newspaper=[[GamingOnLinux]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> The game was released for several other platforms, include for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] platforms on 28 May 2015,<ref>{{cite web|last=Crider|first=Michael|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/05/28/first-person-puzzle-game-the-talos-principle-comes-to-the-shield-tablet-shield-tv-and-nexus-9/|title=First-Person Puzzle Game The Talos Principle Comes To The SHIELD Tablet, SHIELD TV, And Nexus 9|work=Android Police|date=28 May 2015|accessdate=28 May 2015}}</ref> [[PlayStation 4]] on 13 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-30-the-talos-principle-out-on-ps4-this-october | title=The Talos Principle out on PS4 this October | work=[[Eurogamer]] | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Wesley | last=Yin-Poole | date=30 July 2015 | accessdate=30 July 2015}}</ref> and on [[iOS]] devices on 11 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/10/the-talos-principle-hits-ios-finally/ | title = The Talos Principle Hits iOS, Finally | first = Alex | last= Walker | date = 13 October 2017 | accessdate = 18 October 2017 | work = [[Kotaku]] }}</ref> [[Virtual reality]]-enabled ports of the game for the [[Oculus Rift]] and [[HTC Vive]] were released on 17 October 2017.<Ref name="vr">{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/the-talos-principle-has-come-to-oculus-rift-and-vive-467493.phtml | title = The Talos Principle has come to Oculus Rift and Vive | first = Jordan | last= Devore | date = 17 October 2017 | accessdate = 18 October 2017 | work = [[Destructoid]] }}</ref> The expansion pack, titled "Road to Gehenna" was announced by Croteam and Devolver Digital in March 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/26/8294975/talos-principle-road-gehenna-dlc-expansion-release-date|title=The Talos Principle: Road to Gehenna brings mercy, redemption and soul saving this spring|first=Dave|last=Tach|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=26 March 2015|accessdate=8 July 2015}}</ref> It was released on 23 July 2015 for Windows, OS X, and Linux.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_talos_principle_road_to_gehenna/b/pc/archive/2015/07/28/the-talos-principle-road-to-gehenna-game-informer-review.aspx | title = The Talos Principle: Road to Gehenna | first = Ben | last = Reeves | date = 28 July 2015 | accessdate = 18 October 2017 | work = [[Game Informer]] }}</ref> Both the PlayStation 4 and the virtual reality ports included the "Road to Gehanna" DLC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-talos-principle-road-to-gehenna-releases-this-month/|title=The Talos Principle: Road to Gehenna releases this month|work=[[PC Gamer]]|first=Andy|last=Chalk|date=8 July 2015|accessdate=8 July 2015}}</ref><Ref name="vr"/> == Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = (PC) 85/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-talos-principle|title=The Talos Principle for PC Reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=8 February 2015}}</ref><br/>(PS4) 88/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/the-talos-principle-deluxe-edition |title=The Talos Principle for PS4 (Deluxe Edition)Reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=10 October 2015}}</ref> | Destruct = 8/10<ref name="Destructoid 2014-12-08">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-the-talos-principle-284698.phtml|title=Review: The Talos Principle|last=Nakamura|first=Darren|date=8 December 2014|publisher=[[Destructoid]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | EuroG = 9/10<ref name="Eurogamer 2014-12-09">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-12-09-the-talos-principle-review|title=The Talos Principle review|last=Harman|first=Stace|date=9 December 2014|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | GI = 9/10<ref name="Game Informer 2014-12-12">{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_talos_principle/b/pc/archive/2014/12/12/the-talos-principle-game-informer-review.aspx|title=Exploring Existential Problems - The Talos Principle - PC|last=Reeves|first=Ben|date=12 December 2014|publisher=[[Game Informer]]|accessdate=14 December 2014}}</ref> | GSpot = 9/10<ref name="GameSpot 2014-12-16">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-talos-principle-review/1900-6415993/|title=The Talos Principle Review|last=Signor|first=Jeremy|date=16 December 2014|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=21 December 2014}}</ref> | GT = 9.2/10<ref name="gt-review">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/y4yy6b/the-talos-principle-review|title=The Talos Principle - Review|date=20 December 2014|publisher=Gametrailers|accessdate=21 December 2014}}</ref> | IGN = 8.3<ref name="IGN 2014-12-09">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/09/the-talos-principle-review|title=The Talos Principle Review|last=Johnson|first=Leif|date=9 December 2014|publisher=IGN|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | PCGUK = 84/100<ref name="PC Gamer 2014-12-09">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-talos-principle-review/|title=The Talos Principle review|last=Thursten|first=Chris|date=9 December 2014|publisher=[[PC Gamer]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | rev1 = ''[[VentureBeat]]'' | rev1Score = 90/100<ref name="VentureBeat 2014-12-08">{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/12/08/the-talos-principle-asks-you-to-solve-puzzles-ponder-humanity-review/view-all/|title=The Talos Principle asks you to solve puzzles, ponder humanity (review)|last=Newman|first=Heather|date=8 December 2014|publisher=[[VentureBeat]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="The Escapist 2014-12-10">{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/12715-The-Talos-Principle-Is-a-Rewarding-Puzzler-Questioning-Existence|title=The Talos Principle Is a Rewarding Puzzler Questioning Existence|last=Smith|first=Carly|date=10 December 2014|publisher=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Hardcore Gamer]]'' | rev3Score = 4/5<ref name="Hardcore Gamer 2014-12-08">{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/12/08/review-the-talos-principle/122203/|title=Review: The Talos Principle|last=Cunningham|first=James|date=8 December 2014|publisher=[[Hardcore Gamer]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> }} ''The Talos Principle'' received critical acclaim, with an aggregate score of 85/100 (55 reviews) on [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Metacritic"/> Reviewers broadly praised both the challenge of the puzzles and the elements of philosophy built into the game's narrative.<ref name="IGN 2014-12-09"/><ref name="PC Gamer 2014-12-09"/><ref name="Destructoid 2014-12-08"/><ref name="Eurogamer 2014-12-09"/><ref name="VentureBeat 2014-12-08"/><ref name="Hardcore Gamer 2014-12-08"/><ref name="The Escapist 2014-12-10"/> Several [[Game programmer|video game programmers]] and [[Video game designer|designers]] have also commented on the game. [[Markus Persson]], creator of ''[[Minecraft]]'', wrote: "Finished ''The Talos Principle'', and I award this piece of fleeting entertainment five points out of five. Also it changed me."<ref name="Markus Persson">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/notch/status/543145262416687105|title=Markus Persson on The Talos Principle|last=Persson|first=Markus|authorlink=Markus Persson|date=11 December 2014|publisher=[[Twitter]]|accessdate=14 December 2014}}</ref> Alexander Bruce, creator of puzzle game ''[[Antichamber]]'', commented: "Man. ''The Talos Principle'' was so excellent. My god. I loved it. Holy shit. Exceptional puzzle design and narrative structure."<ref name="Alexander Bruce">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Demruth/status/539824934524956673|title=Alexander Bruce on The Talos Principle|last=Bruce|first=Alexander|date=2 December 2014|publisher=[[Twitter]]|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref> [[GameTrailers]] awarded ''The Talos Principle'' as their Puzzle/Adventure Game of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/wi6ef4/gametrailers-best-of-2014-awards-best-puzzle-adventure|title=GameTrailers Best of 2014 - Awards|work=[[GameTrailers]]|date=25 December 2014|accessdate=25 December 2014}}</ref> ''The Talos Principle'' was named as a finalist for the Excellence in Design and the [[Seumas McNally Grand Prize]] awards for the 2015 [[Independent Games Festival]], and was nominated in Excellence in Narrative.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/233641/2015_Independent_Games_Festival_announces_Main_Competition_finalists.php | title = 2015 Independent Games Festival announces Main Competition finalists | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 7 January 2015 | accessdate = 7 January 2015 }}</ref> At the 2015 [[National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]] (NAVGTR) awards, the game won ''Game, Special Class''.<ref>{{cite web|title=NAVGTR Awards (2015)|url=http://navgtr.org/winners/2015-winners|website=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers}}</ref> == VR == In 2015, Croteam added support for SteamVR in an update to ''The Talos Principle''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vrfocus.com/2015/07/the-talos-principle-now-officially-supports-steamvr/|title=The Talos Principle Now Officially Supports SteamVR|work=VRFocus|access-date=2017-09-21|language=en-US}}</ref> The development of a version of the game intended for VR, ''The Talos Principle VR'', was confirmed on 7 February 2017 via a blog post on the Croteam website.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.croteam.com/serious-wednesday-update/|title=Serious Wednesday update! - Croteam|date=2017-02-07|work=Croteam|access-date=2017-09-21|language=en-US}}</ref> It was released on October 18, 2017.<ref>https://www.bug.hr/master/vijesti/prodaji-the-talos-principle-vr/162721.aspx</ref> == Sequel == Croteam announced that they were working on a sequel, ''The Talos Principle 2'', in May 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/20/the-talos-principle-2-announced/ | title = The Talos Principle 2 Discreetly Announced | last = O'Connor | first = Alice | date = 20 May 2016 | website = [[Rock Paper Shotgun]] | accessdate = 20 May 2016}}</ref> == See also == * ''[[Portal (series)|Portal]]'' * ''[[Quantum Conundrum]]'' * ''[[Antichamber]]'' * ''[[Magrunner: Dark Pulse]]'' * ''[[The Witness (2016 video game)|The Witness]]'' * ''[[The Turing Test (video game)|The Turing Test]]'' == References == {{Reflist|30em}} == External links == {{Commonscat}} * {{Official website}} * [http://www.croteam.com/talos-principle-vr/ ''The Talos Principle VR'' official website] {{DEFAULTSORT:Talos Principle, The}} [[Category:2014 video games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Android (robot) video games]] [[Category:Artificial intelligence in fiction]] [[Category:Devolver Digital games]] [[Category:HTC Vive games]] [[Category:iOS games]] [[Category:Linux games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:Oculus Rift games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Puzzle video games]] [[Category:Robot video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Steam Workshop games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Croatia]] [[Category:Video games that support Vulkan]] [[Category:Windows games]]'