Boredo

The characters and graphics are nice, and the premise is very engaging (though hardly original). There is little to be said for the music, as it is essentially the same track looping for most of the game. The problem I have (and, really the only one, which is rather considerable, given it is enough to render my review score unfavorable to say the least) is that, although I've attempted beating the game several times, I do not seem to be able to acquire enough food, or supplies necessary to craft equipment to produce food. It appears to be physically impossible for the group to avoid starvation, and I am unable to craft the fishing rod...inevitably, the entire group must try in vain to subsist on small quantities of mere fruit, providing only -5% hunger per item. There are large amounts of good food in the beginning of the game, but as it is virtually all perishable, it will only be useful for as long as you are already well-fed anyway. Before the group even remotely approaches hunger, the food has all spoiled and been rendered useless (or barely edible, providing only between -1% and -5% hunger, which is pointless when each crew member is nearly dead from starvation). It's not an issue of conservation or resource management, as there are literally not sufficient quantities of needed materials available to craft food producing equipment in the first place (the first real version of which is the fishing rod), and there is almost no food to be found in exploration. The group seems to be doomed to starve, and the player doomed to lose. After many attempts, I am genuinely unsure if it is even physically possible to progress very far, let alone beat the game. This is unfortunate, because I think if you were not forced to lose pretty early in the game like this, it would actually be very addicting and fun. Perhaps it is just a matter of extreme luck, and I have happened to be very unlucky so far? This seems unlikely given the dozen or so play sessions I've logged.

The Talos Principle is one of the best games I've ever played. I absolutely love how much the game forces one to think outside the box, while providing solid and straightforward challenge within each individual puzzle chamber as well. The music and graphics present a soothing and lovely atmosphere that works as a constant sort of coolant for the mind, as one works at overcoming each trial. Beyond the intended puzzles lies a rich layer of secrets, ranging from gaming and music references to curious little oddities that leave one questioning the meaning of the game itself and what it truly represents (maybe even life, if you're feeling totally deep, man). I did not find myself terribly interested in the backstory or philosophical ideas presented through much of the game, but loved the little bits and pieces of mythology, history, and science around. Whether one pays any attention to the attempted meaning behind the puzzles and dialogues, or just focuses intently on the mental exercise provided by each puzzle itself, I believe this game will deliver considerable enjoyment to anyone fond of puzzles, lovely environments, and serene atmosphere.

Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom.

Given how broken and unplayable the original game was, I can honestly say I was completely unsurprised by how profoundly terrible this game turned out to be. Miserable graphics, awful music, and laughable gameplay. To be fair, though, at least the people responsible for designing and programming this game didn't just forget which button to which they bound each action and not bother taking a second to check at any point, like in the original. At least the controls don't just switch depending upon the freaking direction you happen to be facing.

Very fun game with great music, level design, graphics, and gameplay. All around very solid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!D:):)))))))

Initially, the game is very enjoyable (albeit not very challenging), but quickly becomes virtually unplayable by about the 4th level. The gameplay is terribly clunky and, along with the level design, frequently and actively works against the player, forcing them into cheap deaths and damage via unresponsive controls and poor overall design. Lady Sia, to me, suffers from a strong misunderstanding of the difference between well-balanced and intentionally implemented challenge, and rough, frustrating difficulty due to unpolished and flawed design.