The Talos Principle 2
" Thought-provoking action-adventure with mind-bending puzzles but slow pacing and filler content "
The Talos Principle 2 Review
The Talos Principle 2 is a visually stunning and thoughtfully designed puzzle game that builds upon its predecessor with a larger scale, new mechanics, and a more developed story. Players praise the game for its engaging puzzles, beautiful environments powered by Unreal Engine 5, and philosophical narrative that explores sociopolitical themes rather than the more abstract philosophy of the original. The difficulty curve is generally easier, with spikes in the final areas and optional golden puzzles, making it accessible to a wider audience.
However, some players feel the vastness of the world leads to excessive walking and filler content between puzzles, which can hinder pacing. The story and characters receive mixed reactions, with some finding the new dialogue-heavy approach less engaging and the themes more simplistic. Performance issues and suboptimal optimization on certain platforms were also noted. Despite these criticisms, the game is widely recommended, especially for fans of the original and puzzle enthusiasts.
Highlights
Players especially praise the creative and satisfying puzzle mechanics, noting the introduction of new tools that refresh gameplay. The graphics and environments receive high marks for their breathtaking visuals and impressive scale enabled by Unreal Engine 5. The storyline is appreciated for its richer character interactions and exploration of sociopolitical themes, adding depth beyond pure puzzles. Additionally, the soundtrack and voice acting contribute positively to the immersive experience.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the excessive travel times and filler walking between puzzles, which some find tedious and disrupt the flow. The story and dialogue are seen as less compelling or overly heavy-handed compared to the original's more subtle philosophical approach. Some players report performance and optimization issues, particularly with DLSS and frame rates on certain hardware. The lack of meaningful secrets or rewarding collectibles and the inability to skip lengthy cutscenes or dialogues frustrate some users. Lastly, the puzzle difficulty is considered too lenient by veterans, with many new mechanics underutilized.
Pros
- • Engaging puzzles with creative new mechanics keep gameplay fresh and enjoyable.
- • Stunning, expansive environments powered by Unreal Engine 5 impress visually.
- • Philosophical storyline with richer character interactions adds narrative depth.
- • Generally accessible difficulty curve with optional challenging golden puzzles.
- • High-quality voice acting and atmospheric soundtrack enhance immersion.
- • Puzzle solutions feel logical and rewarding rather than random trial-and-error.
- • DLC expansions offer more challenging puzzles for completionists.
Cons
- • Excessive walking and filler content between puzzles disrupt pacing.
- • Story and dialogue can feel heavy-handed, shallow, or less engaging.
- • Performance issues and poor optimization affect frame rates and visuals.
- • Lack of meaningful secrets and rewarding collectibles disappoints explorers.
- • No option to skip lengthy cutscenes or dialogues frustrates some players.
- • Puzzle difficulty is too easy for veterans compared to the original.
- • New puzzle mechanics often underutilized or quickly discarded.
Rating Criteria
The Talos Principle 2 is a thought-provoking first-person puzzle experience that greatly expands on the first game's philosophical themes and stunning environments with increasingly mind-bending challenges.
