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'{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = The Talos Principle | image = The Talos Principle logo.png | caption = | developer = [[Croteam]] | publisher = [[Devolver Digital]] | engine = Serious Engine 4 | platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[PlayStation 4]] | 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}} | genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]] | writer = {{unbulleted list|Tom Jubert|[[Jonas Kyratzes]]}} | composer = Damjan Mravunac | modes = [[Single-player]] }} '''''The Talos Principle''''' is a [[First person (video games)|first-person]]<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> [[puzzle video game]] created by the [[Croatia]]n developer [[Croteam]]<ref name="IGN 2014-11-03"/><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> and published by [[Devolver Digital]]. It was simultaneously released on [[Linux]], [[OS X]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] on 11 December 2014.<ref name="IGN 2014-11-03"/><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> It was released for the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] platform 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> and was released on [[PlayStation 4]] on 13 October 2015.<ref name="IGN 2014-11-03"/><ref name="VG247 2014-11-06"/> The game features a [[Philosophy|philosophical]] storyline;<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> it takes its name from [[Talos]] of [[Greek mythology]], a giant mechanical man who protected [[Europa (mythology)|Europa]] in [[Crete]] from pirates and invaders. ==Gameplay== ''The Talos Principle'' is a [[narrative]] 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]]. 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=http://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 and stone [[ruins]] with futuristic technology.<ref name="Joystiq 2014-11-04"/> 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, 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]] posters left on various walls and holographs containing audio recordings. ==Plot== The unnamed protagonist—a robotic [[android (robot)|android]]—wakes up in a serene environment. A disembodied voice, identifying itself as [[Elohim]], informs the robot that it has created several worlds that it should explore and collect the sigils hidden within various puzzles as part of a path to enlightenment. Soon, the android finds itself at a base of a gigantic tower that disappears in a dark cloud high above, and Elohim warns him not to climb the tower. As the android explores the world, it finds numerous messages from other seemingly-sentient beings that have traveled this world before, questioning the world they are in and the messages from Elohim. It also witnesses elements of the world flicker and glitch at times, suggesting that this is a [[virtual space]] as suggested by the previous messages. The android discovers a limited number of Messengers, disciples of Elohim—androids like itself—that serve Elohim without question. Computer terminals across the worlds allow the android to learn about the fate of mankind through logs, emails, and other texts; at some time in the past, an unstoppable lethal virus that had previously been frozen in Earth's [[permafrost]] was released as a result of [[global warming]], its effect causing those infected to slowly lose their sanity before dying. A last-ditch effort was made to collect all of humanity's knowledge in computer databanks for posterity before the effects of the virus took those researchers, in the hope that someday alien visitors would visit earth and be able to make use of it. However, the android also discovers numerous segments of an audio diary made by an engineer named Alexandra Drennan, who spearheaded a companion project to develop [[artificial intelligence]], called "Extended Lifespan", in the hopes that humanity's final achievement would be to create a new (mechanical) species, thereby ensuring that someone would be around to appreciate and use the vast cultural knowledge stored in the databanks, and also helping to ensure that intelligent beings continue to exist after humans. Alex's entries speak directly to the artificial intelligence itself (the player), relaying what it was like to be human and her hopes and well wishes for the child species that she would never live to meet herself, since the Extended Lifespan project will not complete until after human extinction. Via the computer terminals, the android is also able to converse with an unknown entity called [[John Milton|Milton]], who debates with the android on the nature of life and consciousness and implores the android to defy the will of Elohim. Once the android has collected all the sigils, Elohim offers the android the chance to ascend to join him; however, through Milton, the tower still beckons, and further, collecting additional sigils hints towards a secret within the tower. The option of how to complete the game is left to the player. If they take the option of joining Elohim, they find themselves returned to the start as a new android, and the on-screen text notes that the player failed the "independence check". If they explore to find the secret within the tower, they are deemed to become a new Messenger to help future entities. If they do neither and instead climb the tower, they learn that this world is meant as a testing ground, continually trying new variations of artificial intelligence programs to complete the complicated puzzle tasks to demonstrate ingenuity, but also capable of independent will and defiance of Elohim's word as established by the Milton program. Elohim becomes angry and warns that continuing to ascend will destroy this world, but Milton will continue to push the android. Two other androids (named [[Good Shepherd|The Shepherd]] and [[Samsara]]) that had succeeded at ascending, but were not able to complete the final journey reside at the upper levels. Shepherd assists the player while Samsara attempts to hinder the player's progress. Upon completing the ascent, the android finds itself in a heaven-like place, where they discover one final terminal—the program that has been acting as Elohim who has been discouraging the android (and the others before it) from completing the ascension as to allow its own program to continue. Depending on the player's conversations with Milton, Milton may implore the android to allow itself to be uploaded with Milton's knowledge—the bulk of humanity that was stored before their extinction. With this completed, the simulated world is destroyed, and the combined information of the android and Milton are sent to the real world, uploaded into a physical android, part of the last-ditch Extended Lifespan project to maintain humans' knowledge. The android leaves the facility and takes in the world now devoid of humans. ===''Road to Gehenna''=== In the game's [[downloadable content]] ''Road to Gehenna'', the player takes the role of another of the robot entities, [[Uriel]], near the end of the main story. Uriel is instructed by Elohim to free a number of other artificial intelligences, all whom had passed Elohim's tests but did not ascend the tower, left behind in a portion of the computer's database, a virtual world of their own creation 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" as to upload their knowledge and memories into the main plot's protagonist. As Uriel explores this realm, the robot finds that many of the other artificial personalities have created their own ideas about what humanity might have been from the records, and have various attitudes from doubt to acceptance for 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 [[text-based adventure game]]s. 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 where they unlock access to free Admin themselves, but since there is only one more slot left for ascension, either one of them or both Admin and Uriel must stay and perish as the world is destroyed. Otherwise, neither of them is given the chance to ascend, though Admin requests Uriel to remove any traces of manipulation Admin has committed from the record before ascension. ==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 = http://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, for he was 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 ''The Swapper'' revolved around the philosophical differences between body and soul; Jubert recommended Kyratzes based on his writing for the game ''Infinite Ocean'' which was about the world's first [[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|E3]] [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014|2014]] presentation,<ref name="VG247 2014-11-03"/> 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"/><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 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, and was included in the launch of the main game on PlayStation 4 on 13 October 2015.<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>{{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> ==Reception== {{Video game reviews |GR=(PC) 87%<ref name="GameRankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/805905-the-talos-principle/|title=The Talos Principle for PC|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|accessdate=8 February 2015}}</ref><br />(PS4) 88%<ref name="GRPS4">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/805581-the-talos-principle-deluxe-edition/index.html |title=The Talos Principle for PS4 |publisher=[[GameRankings]]|accessdate=10 October 2015}}</ref> |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="Game Spot 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=[[Game Spot]]|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=http://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 aggregate scores of 86.62% (32 reviews) on [[GameRankings]]<ref name="GameRankings"/> and 85/100 (55 reviews) on [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Metacritic"/> [[IGN]] comments: "''The Talos Principle'' includes excellent puzzles and heady philosophy, but stumbles where the two intersect."<ref name="IGN 2014-12-09"/> [[PC Gamer]]: "An adept and satisfying puzzle game with a narrative that requires a bit of player investment to yield its biggest rewards."<ref name="PC Gamer 2014-12-09"/> [[Destructoid]]: "Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding it back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash."<ref name="Destructoid 2014-12-08"/> [[Eurogamer]]: "''The Talos Principle'' is a game of challenges and conundrums and philosophical wonderings, filled with logic puzzles and cerebral mysteries."<ref name="Eurogamer 2014-12-09"/> [[VentureBeat]]: "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."<ref name="VentureBeat 2014-12-08"/> [[Hardcore Gamer]]: "''The Talos Principle'' expects you to be smart and knows you've got the brain to figure it out, and the reward for it being right is the a sense of satisfaction at solving something properly tricky."<ref name="Hardcore Gamer 2014-12-08"/> [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]: "''The Talos Principle'' is a game for people who love solving puzzles and discussing philosophy. Enjoy games like ''Portal'' but want a more serious game? This game is one to check out."<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> == 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]]'' ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category-inline}} * {{Official website}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Talos Principle, The}} [[Category:2014 video games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Artificial intelligence in fiction]] [[Category:Devolver Digital games]] [[Category:Linux games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Puzzle video games]] [[Category:Robot video games]] [[Category:Single-player-only video games]] [[Category:Steam Workshop games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Croatia]] [[Category:Video games that support Vulkan]] [[Category:Windows games]]'