The Talos Principle 2 is, naturally, the sequel to The Talos Principle. Given its nature as a sequel, to understand it properly, do you need to play The Talos Principle before the sequel?
Perhaps The Talos Principle 2 is building on a whole story and world from the first game. Should you watch a walkthrough, play the game yourself, or can you figure it out without the first game?
Is The Talos Principle needed to play The Talos Principle 2?
Not at all, fortunately. The Talos Principle 2 is a whole new and different experience. The first game will give you some necessary context, but the sequel will explain everything you need to do know within the first half an hour, if you let it.
The Talos Principle isn’t that dense or detailed in terms of plot, character, or story. It was a game more about the puzzles with the story being an accent. When you boil down everything that happens in the game, you can retell it in a few sentences. It makes it easy for the sequel to retell it quickly and then move on to a whole new story building off the first one.
Related: The Talos Principle 2 Early Impressions: A new and invigorating, deep and existential experience
Of course, newcomers will have to get used to the puzzle principle, philosophy, and design of The Talos Principle games. But even then, the majority of puzzle mechanics in The Talos Principle 2 are brand new. The ones that aren’t are simple, straightforward, and easy to figure out.
So yes, if you’re interested in the sequel, just play it. Don’t worry about the first game. You’ll have a unique experience in The Talos Principle 2 that can’t be replicated, not even by the first game.
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