The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle is is a philosophical first-person puzzle game from Croteam, written by Tom Jubert and Jonas Kyratzes, and published by Devolver Digital.

The game was originally released on Linux, OS X, and Windows in December 2014. By December 2019 it was also available on PlayStation 4, iOS, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game received a DLC in 2015. Virtual reality versions of the game, including the DLC, were released for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive in 2017. A sequel was released in 2023.

As if awakening from a deep sleep, you find yourself in a strange, contradictory world of ancient ruins and advanced technology. Tasked by your creator with solving a series of increasingly complex puzzles, you must decide whether to have faith or to ask the difficult questions: Who are you? What is your purpose? And what are you going to do about it?

—Croteam

Story and setting

An anthropomorphic robot, awakens in a "garden" and hears a booming voice announce himself as Elohim. After solving a few puzzles, the player is transported to a temple, which Elohim explains is one of many that exist for the him to explore, with the caveat that he never climb the great tower.

As the game progresses, it becomes clear that Elohim is not a deity but in fact a computer program, as is the playable character, and they both exist within a simulation. After visits other temples and solving many more puzzles---and, optionally, interacting with a virtual assistant named Milton via text terminals---the player can choose to follow Elohim's commands or to defy him and climb the tower, leading to multiple possible endings.

Characters

The playable character is unnamed throughout the game (although the sequel game does provide a name). The disembodied voice of Elohim is heard frequently, especially near the start and end of the story. Using terminals, a program called the Milton Library Assistant can also provide conversation.

Occasionally the player may encounter messengers (either in person or as recordings), who can leave hints or---in the final challenge---physically assist the player.

Finally, voice recordings from Alexandra Drennan provide backstory as well as philosophical musing.

Puzzles

The Talos Principle Puzzles

A1								A2
A3								A4
A5								A6
A7								A✩
Messenger World A

B1						B2
B3						B4
B5						B6
B7						B✩
Messenger World B

C1					C2
C3					C4
C5					C6
C7					C✩
Messenger World C

Tower	Area	1	2	3	4	5	6

The very first puzzles of the game use pressure plates, jammers, and guards, as well as occasionally switches and keys. After collecting enough yellow sigils, the player can unlock hexahedrons (boxes) and connectors, at which point many puzzles will involve the use of lasers. Later puzzles can also involve fans, recorders, and holdable platforms.

For an alphabetized list of all puzzles, see the Puzzles category.

Collectibles

The main puzzles each reward the player with a sigil. Additionally, there are 30 stars throughout the game, some within puzzles and some in the surrounding areas.

There are also achievements for collecting every piece of written information and for collecting all of Alexandra's audio logs.