Screenshots & trailers
What players say
Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 298 sampled Steam reviews (268 positive / 30 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.
What positive reviews talk about
- Story & writing26% mention it
- Visuals & art7% mention it
- Music & audio7% mention it
- Difficulty & balance6% mention it
- World & exploration4% mention it
What negative reviews complain about
- Story & writing47% mention it
- Difficulty & balance23% mention it
- Grind & repetition23% mention it
- Visuals & art10% mention it
- Performance10% mention it
Satisfaction by hours played
Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.
Under 5h
58%
33 reviews
5-15h
85%
55 reviews
15-40h
95%
138 reviews
40-100h
98%
56 reviews
100h+
100%
16 reviews
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 87 | 18 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 94 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 90 | 38 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 93% | 87 | 24 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.0, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 33,921 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 69 reviews sampled · 65 total reviews in window · weighted 56.4 up / 4.2 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (88)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 95
“There’s enough to satisfy those looking for either puzzles or an interesting story, but if you’re searching for both, then The Talos Principle is going to be something very, very special for you.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“As the game suggests, "Peril and paradise are inextricable," and without the tricky puzzles, there wouldn't be nearly as much satisfaction.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Talos Principle is not only a brilliant puzzle game but also a profound journey into the depths of the human mind. It explores complex ideas about existence and questions of identity through intricate puzzles that test your ingenuity and ability to think beyond your limits. The game offers not only challenges for your mind but also an immersive atmosphere with excellent voice acting and a captivating soundtrack. Whether you choose to follow the spiritual path or focus solely on logic, this game offers you the opportunity to pause and reflect on the profound questions of human existence.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Croteam, the creators of The Talos Principle, were previously known primarily for their silly (but fun) Serious Sam titles. The Talos Principle shows a remarkable maturity and depth of scope that's perhaps surprising, but in a very good way. It poses interesting questions, allows the player to progress at their own pace - mostly in a non-linear fashion - and is a hugely satisfying piece of game design. Utterly entrancing and highly recommended.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bursting at the seams with challenging puzzles and thought-provoking science fiction, The Talos Principle is a philosophically-minded first-person puzzler that’s well worth your time.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Talos Principle offers a great story that demands a reaction from the player, but first and foremost it's a great puzzle game - based on simple rules and extremely satisfying. It's definitely one of the most interesting games of 2014. A big surprise and a FPS puzzle game that's really worth your attention (especially if you're looking for something more than just puzzles).”
read full review ↗ - 90
“While The Shivah also explores the reconciliation of faith and practicality, its corny climax can't match The Talos Principle's matter-of-fact ending, which argues that our chosen perspective will limit what we discover in one way or another. Thank God the puzzles are worth it.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“The Talos Principle is what it is, though, and inflexible puzzles don't dim the inquisitive light shining inside this game. Croteam has made something rewarding and ultimately knowable but also something that inspires reflection on what isn't.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“This is a title for anyone who has ever looked at the ocean or the night sky and been stunned by the unfathomable vastness of the universe and the mystery of the human condition. Hopefully, that's everyone.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Talos Principle: Deluxe Edition offers a huge amount of quality, intelligent gameplay for sci-fi fans and puzzle goers alike. Although it tries a little too hard at times, the title's narrative is generally rich and compelling, and there's enough side content available to keep even the most curious of androids busy for hours at a time. If you're in the market for a fulfilling, well-paced puzzler on the PS4, look no further than this one.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“It’s an experience that truly stretched different parts of my mind in more satisfying way than Portal. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“As a straight puzzle game The Talos Principle is very solid, but the setting and narrative really elevate it into something special.”
read full review ↗
The Jimquisition
Slant Magazine
Gaming Professors
Nintendo Life
GRYOnline.pl
Paste Magazine
The A.V. Club
Cubed3
Push Square
GameWatcher
ZTGD…and 76 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- The Talos Principle Build 418338 is available in open beta!Feb 22, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- The Talos Principle update 326589 is live!Jan 10, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- The Talos Principle update 326589 is live!Jan 10, 2018
- The Talos Principle update 326589 is in betaOct 25, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- The Talos Principle update 326589 is in betaOct 25, 2017
- The Talos Principle - Update 300763Apr 14, 2017
- The Talos Principle - Update 300763Apr 14, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- The Talos Principle - Update 293384Mar 1, 2017
- The Talos Principle - Update 293384Mar 1, 2017
- The Talos Principle - Update 291145Feb 14, 2017
- The Talos Principle - Update 291145Feb 14, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- The Talos Principle - Update 284152Dec 15, 2016
- The Talos Principle - Update 284152Dec 15, 2016