The Talos Principle 9+

Well worth the purchase price (under $10AUD when I bought it). Hours and hours of play (don’t worry about overcommitting though, it is broken up into 5-15minute puzzles, perfect for a phone game), you never get bored as they combine multiple game mechanics in a ton of different ways. This game has beautiful locations, amazing music, and a really well thought out story (which is so awesome I want to spoil it here but won’t!). The attention to detail on level design means the whole play through feels really organic (objects and clues to the solution aren’t just given up because they feel out of place). This game has tons available for completionists as well, the secret/hidden things don’t feel like a cop out that only geniuses can solve, the game always leaves a decent hint around if you’re paying attention (except for that ‘clock’ one in world ?A3?, the clue probably needs a bit of fine tuning devs). This is the best puzzler I’ve ever played (or equal best with portal), even better than the room series (as amazing as they are).

The title of this review has two meanings. The first is that there is so much gameplay here that playing The Talos Principle on a smart device for a middling cost really doesn’t do it justice. I sought out all the computer terminals and time capsules so I could enjoy the whole story, which gets you thinking about deep questions almost as much as the puzzles rack your brains as you figure out how to solve them. There are a load of easter eggs which are often hard to find, including (spoiler alert!) the little cat on the loading screen. And yes, I had to look up the solutions online to find all the stars.

The second meaning of the review title is that this game feels out of place on a smart device, especially the controls. Turning on the spot is either too slow or dizzying (or both at once), and the virtual gamepad can be awkward to use. But that’s the price of saving money by buying a mobile port rather than the proper version on console or PC. My only complaint about the gameplay itself is that the last puzzle is time-limited, which - drove - me - mad -- so I looked up a walkthrough for that too. Despite having to cheat a bit to finish the game, it was still very worthwhile.

Such a magnificent game, the graphics are lifelike, you feel like you’re there, even the weather conditions change. From the deserts of Egypt to the snow in the high mountains. You’re brain is challenged on so many levels, from trying not to get killed by the patrolling mines, to the strategies of working out the laser connectors. As well as thinking laterally in the hunt for the stars, you also need to learn and master the tools you earn to solve each gate of each level. The only massive dissatisfaction I have, is that Talos Principle two still does not exist, and that Road to Gehenna is not available for IPad. Come on, get this happening, please ...