Play the demo on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/835960/The_Talos_Principle_2Born into a new world where biological humanity is extinct but human c...
Portal (1 and 2) and The Talos Principle are the only puzzle games I’ve played that not only had a story, but also managed to make the puzzle gameplay actually make sense within the story. Like, there is an in-universe explanation for why you are solving puzzles. I’m sure there are other games that do it, but those are the only ones I’ve played and they were fantastic. That’s a hard thing to pull off – how do you make a compelling narrative, complete with characters, around “moving some boxes?”
Looking forward to playing the sequel. Also, the original is $3 on Steam right now!
I don’t see how anyone can consider the sound puzzles in the jungle, the Tetris piece puzzles in the swamp and the color theory puzzles in the greenhouse the same kind of puzzle and be arguing in good faith.
The game has multiple “endings”. My only advice: Don’t start a second playthrough or browse any online communities until you’ve reached the credit scroll. I wish someone had told me that before I started…
Like, there is an in-universe explanation for why you are solving puzzles.
That observation actually made me go through my library looking for more examples and, yeah, it’s surprisingly few. There’s ‘The Entropy Centre’, which also falls into the “You’re a test subject” category. Other than that there’s the Zachtronics games, where the reason for puzzle-solving is because it’s your work.
In Zachtronics Infinifactory, the setting is that aliens have kidnapped you and force you to build things for them, in return for kibble and other things humans like, such as a little league third place trophy. Always enjoyed that.
Portal (1 and 2) and The Talos Principle are the only puzzle games I’ve played that not only had a story, but also managed to make the puzzle gameplay actually make sense within the story. Like, there is an in-universe explanation for why you are solving puzzles. I’m sure there are other games that do it, but those are the only ones I’ve played and they were fantastic. That’s a hard thing to pull off – how do you make a compelling narrative, complete with characters, around “moving some boxes?”
Looking forward to playing the sequel. Also, the original is $3 on Steam right now!
Have you played The Witness? Not quite as story driven, but just as cohesive and my personal favourite of the 3 (by a small margin)
Could not really understand the hype for it, having to do the same kind of line puzzle over and over just felt stale.
If that were the full extent of the game, I’d probably agree. I can’t say much more without spoiling it
I don’t see how anyone can consider the sound puzzles in the jungle, the Tetris piece puzzles in the swamp and the color theory puzzles in the greenhouse the same kind of puzzle and be arguing in good faith.
I have not – I’ll add it to my list!
The game has multiple “endings”. My only advice: Don’t start a second playthrough or browse any online communities until you’ve reached the credit scroll. I wish someone had told me that before I started…
That observation actually made me go through my library looking for more examples and, yeah, it’s surprisingly few. There’s ‘The Entropy Centre’, which also falls into the “You’re a test subject” category. Other than that there’s the Zachtronics games, where the reason for puzzle-solving is because it’s your work.
In Zachtronics Infinifactory, the setting is that aliens have kidnapped you and force you to build things for them, in return for kibble and other things humans like, such as a little league third place trophy. Always enjoyed that.
Quantum Conundrum too ! it’s excellent, but a bit difficult. I never finished it 🤫
Did Antichamber have a story? I don’t remember if it did, only that I loved that game.
Try QUBE too, it’s great.
Hey, thanks for the tip! I totally just gifted this to a couple of my friends.