The Tower, also called the Great Tower and other similar names, is the central structure in the Simulation. Throughout The Talos Principle, the player (Athena) is warned by Elohim that ascending the Tower will lead to the player's death. In reality, ascension will lead to Elohim's death and to Athena's consciousness being transferred to the physical world.
The elevator in the Tower can take the player to floor 1 as soon as the Tower itself is accessible (that is, after leaving the Land of Ruins), but all other floors requires first using a terminal within the Tower. For floors 2 through 5, this requires using the terminal on the previous floor, which is accessible only after completing a puzzle. Floor 6 can be enabled from any Tower terminal but only after learning the required three-digit code (randomized for each playthrough of the game) from star worlds.
Star
A star is visible in a small building behind the Tower. It is locked behind a blue door that can only be opened by connecting a laser to a receiver.
If you can't find the blue emitter:
[ hint ]
It is initially only partially visible from the area around the Tower. Something is blocking it.
If you want to know exactly how to access the emitter:
[ hint ]
You need to break the wooden fence at the back side of the Tower, using the axe from inside Building C.
If you don't know where to get connectors:
[ hint ]
You can take two connectors from the puzzle on floor 2 and dropped them off the edge of the Tower (or take them down in the elevator).
Floor 1
Puzzle
Tower Level 1 Puzzle
Hint for method 1:
[ hint ]
Walk around the outside of the puzzle carefully. See any interesting ways to go?
Hint for method 2:
[ hint ]
You have two connectors. Can you make it so not both are interrupted?
This puzzle contains three fans and three hexahedrons.
Objective of the puzzle:
[ hint ]
You have to reach the rooftop of the structure directly in front.
If you're having trouble getting started:
[ hint ]
The first objective is to obtain the third hexahedron.
If you're trying to jump and can't get any elevation:
[ hint ]
The final solution does not require any jumping at all.
If you're trying to drop a hexahedron below your feet:
[ hint ]
That doesn't work, but dropping things is a good way to explore things.
A set of explicit steps for the solution:
[ hint ]
Use the two hexahedrons to obtain the third. Grab one hexahedron, fly on the floor fan, and place it in the little alcove. Place two hexahedrons on the floor, in a row, in front of the horizontal fan. Climb on the second hexahedron with the fan blade, and reach across and attach it. The hexahedron you are standing on is the first to reach the floor fan and rises, then the second one reaches up below you, giving you more elevation. Reach into the alcove to pick up the final box and drop it into the horizontal stream of air to gain the final bit of elevation needed to reach the ceiling.
From floor 5, instead of entering the puzzle, walk through the large opening onto a ledge along the wall of the Tower. Drop down to another ledge, then walk out onto a plank that extends perpendicular to the building. From the end of that plank you can drop down to part of floor 3 that has the star.
Floor 4
Puzzle
Tower Level 4 Puzzle
This puzzle contains a hexahedron, a ladder, a platform, a recorder and a key.
If you're struggling to gain enough elevation to even use the platform:
[ hint ]
Did you notice the ladder?
If you still can't seem to reach the platform:
[ hint ]
You can try climbing on the metal structure behind the recorder
If you appear to be still short some elevation at the end:
[ hint ]
Both copies of yourself should avail yourselves of every bit of help you can, including all of your equipment and all athletic abilities.
If you reached the terminal but can't find the elevator code:
This puzzle contains a hexahedron, a jammer, a ladder, a guard, a turret, several fans and pressure plates, and a recorder.
If you're struggling to get started:
[ hint ]
Detach a fan blade so you can run away.
If you want to know your immediate objective:
[ hint ]
Obtain the hexahedron and jammer.
Your second objective:
[ hint ]
Move the hexahedron and jammer upstairs.
Your third objective:
[ hint ]
Blow up the turret.
If you are wondering how to get started in accomplishing the second objective:
[ hint ]
You will need careful coordination between the recorded self and the real self.
If some of your equipment is stuck downstairs on the other side of the fence:
[ hint ]
Reset the puzzle. The only thing that needs to go into the back-of-the-room with the pressure plate is the recorded self. No equipment should be brought there.
Tips for fan placement:
[ hint ]
You will need one real and one recorded fan downstairs, and two recorded and two real fans upstairs to make a path for the guard to blow up the turret. This means every fan blade: real and recorded has a purpose. You also have to jam them strategically so that the recorded version of yourself can move around freely enough.
