The Talos Principle

Game review by David Wolinsky, Common Sense Media
The Talos Principle Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

Tech-focused sci-fi puzzler challenges, makes players think.

Linux, Mac, Windows 2014
Rate game

Parents say

age 5+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 3 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate game
  • The Talos Principle Game: Screenshot #1
  • The Talos Principle Game: Screenshot #2
  • The Talos Principle Game: Screenshot #3

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Stands out for .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Talos Principle is a downloadable puzzle adventure game. Players will spend their time reading emails and piecing together what became of a ruined utopia while navigating its many, many Portal-style puzzles. This is a game where progress is only made when it’s earned, with lots of gated sections that can only be unlocked by procuring sacred Tetrominoes that must be carefully arranged on small grids. There are no enemies to blast -- just lots of things to think through and tinker with. Even when hazards arise and you're shot at or fall victim to a trap in a puzzle, there's no violence; the game simply rewinds to an earlier section so you can start again.

Community Reviews

Daniel H.
Daniel H. Adult
March 8, 2018
age 5+

A Philosophy game.

This game sets the player up as an extremely advanced humanoid AI. The AI starts up in this beautifully rendered world, and is instructed by a big voice from the sky to 'Follow the path to righteousness and eternal life' , by solving puzzles and collecting 'Keys' (To progress through the game). It's challenging, and addicting. I enjoyed playing it with my 5 year old son, who could solve some puzzles, but would mostly turn it over to me after trying a few times. He enjoyed watching me solve them and wanted to progress. Things parents should know: This game is poses the player a serious question: What is reality? Throughout the game the players motives are questioned, and some things glitch out. Their are many hints that the world is artificial, and there is another subtle character which makes you question if what your doing is actually the right thing to do. The entire thing is very similar to our version of God and the devil. God being the voice instructing to pursue 'The True Path' without straying, and the devil (the subtle other character) swaying you to go up the tower (a location in the game which 'the voice' forbids you to climb). The player can choose either to obey the voice, or disobey the voice and scale the tower. This was confusing for my son, because his natural instinct was to obey the voice. I had to be tactful, because he is learning obedience, even though I wanted to scale the tower- because I sensed the voice is lying.....or is it??? That's the best part of the game, it makes the player question their entire reasoning for completing the puzzles, or scaling the tower. All in all, the game is good wholesome fun and easy to play. It will make your child think of deeper things, and may be a good conversation starter about morality and ingenuity.

This title has:

Great messages
Easy to play/use
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

In THE TALOS PRINCIPLE, a booming, unseen deity compels you to triumph over the puzzles and plots of his garden simulation populated with greenery and the ruins of futuristic technology. It’s an intentionally odd mix meant to provoke players into being intrigued as well as to plunge deeper into the surrounding puzzles at every opportunity. These occasions arise with computer terminals that unexpectedly dot the landscape, which allow you to read more about what this place is and who used to be there. Players also gain deeper insights into the humanity of robots -- or the robotic nature of humans.

Is It Any Good?

Unless they’re extremely curious and love taking apart things to see how they work, younger kids will probably be bored by The Talos Principle. Those with much more patience will find it to be the perfect mix of challenging and rewarding -- although it won't have a lot of variety until late in the game. You'll spend your first few hours learning the basics of play: using jammers and other doohickeys to disable doors or turrets in convoluted ways. It’s later on that things get really interesting -- and potentially frustrating -- when you’ll have to deploy fans to send you flying, boxes to stand on when you need more height, and recording devices that "replay" what you've done in one area so you can simultaneously do more elsewhere. It gets complicated.

It’s also a steep, slow climb to those complications. Fortunately, the world itself is so fascinating and odd that it makes hanging in there worthwhile. It blends elements of sci-fi, religion, and philosophy very well; you can't help but be sucked in from the start when you're traversing columns and observing your robotic wrists, and an unseeing being referring to himself only as Elohim compels you to press on. It all makes for a great mystery that continues to grow as you try to investigate and understand it.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about using technology responsibly. At what point does using computers or playing video games on an ongoing basis get in the way of us living responsible, balanced lives?

  • Discuss resourcefulness and patience. What do you do in your offline life when you think you’ve tried every possible solution for a problem and can’t think of what else to do?

Game Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Syberia Poster Image

    Syberia

    Dated but still solid puzzle-filled adventure.

    age 12+
  • Broken Age Poster Image

    Broken Age

    Witty story with memorable characters and good message.

    age 13+
  • Flower Poster Image

    Flower

    Stunningly beautiful, warm-hearted game has a green message.

    age 7+

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon magic wand on orange background
    Magic and Fantasy
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of luggage and a map
    Adventures
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a robot
    Robots
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a beaker
    Science and Nature
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate