The Talos Principle 2 brings mind-bending puzzles and haunting beauty to PS5

It was eight years ago that we introduced something very different from Serious Sam, our famously outrageous series of first-person shooters. The Talos Principle was a philosophical and thought-provoking puzzle game with a critically acclaimed story—and, honestly, who expected that from the people behind an FPS where you battle jetpack-equipped chimps with grenade launchers for arms?

The Talos Principle 2, launching on PlayStation 5 later this year, is the long-awaited sequel to this beloved puzzle game. It will greatly (and we mean greatly) expand on everything that made the original special. More mind-bending puzzles to solve, more surreal environments to explore, more secrets to uncover, a deeper story to lose yourself in, and bigger questions to boggle your brain.

Your adventure in The Talos Principle 2 begins in an era where humanity as we know it has long gone extinct, but our culture lives on in a world inhabited by robots made in our image. You embark on a quest to investigate a mysterious megastructure, and along the way you’ll be confronted with questions about the nature of the cosmos, faith versus reason, and the fear of repeating humankind’s mistakes.

Pretty heavy, right? The Talos Principle 2 doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the depth of its story. It wants you to think—but not only about its epic narrative. There are, naturally, puzzles to solve here as well: and with varying levels of difficulty to suit any player. The sequel builds on the first-person 3D puzzle design of the original game, including using refractors to direct beams of light and creating copies of yourself to trigger switches and bypass obstacles.

But these established puzzles are also joined by new gameplay including gravity manipulation and mind transference—but we’ll let you discover these intricacies of these unique mechanics for yourself. The Talos Principle 2 will feel familiar but fresh at the same time. You can finish the game without solving every puzzle, but those seeking true mastery can attempt to conquer them all. Just watch out for the optional Gold puzzles, because they will melt your brain.

The Talos Principle 2 is a giant leap forward for the series—particularly the world design. These are the biggest, strangest, and most beautiful environments Croteam has ever made, taking full advantage of the latest in graphics tech. You’ll visit several all-new locations including a city on the brink of a paradigm shift and the varied landscapes of an island that holds the keys to the future.

If your brain is overheating and you need a break from puzzling, there are buried secrets and an entire forgotten history to unearth in the game’s vast, haunting world. You’ll also be directly involved in its complex, character-driven story, making decisions that can lead to multiple endings. The Talos Principle 2’s narrative is itself a puzzle to be solved, and any player who dedicates themselves to digging up its deepest, darkest secrets will have their inquisitiveness rewarded.

The Talos Principle 2 launches later this year on PlayStation 5.