This is my GOTY for 2023.

TTP2 is more great puzzles of increasing difficulty like TTP1's (or The Witness's, or Relikta's, or Portal 2's), but where it truly shines is in its story. I found TTP1's story was kinda meh, like distant philosophers yelling parables at me. TTP2 puts you right in the middle of a world where the philosophical and pragmatic arguments matter, and you have every reason to engage with its questions. It has actual characters and societal problems and diverse opinions. It never feels like it's forcing a narrative. It poses some very timely questions on the future of society as our technology progresses, and gives you a lot to think as you're solving the puzzles.

On to the details - the worldbuilding and graphics are jaw dropping for a puzzle game, the sound design is superb, all characters are fully voiced, the puzzles are well done and most engage my brain without ever making me feel completely stuck, and the pacing is perfect - just as you feel there's a lull, there's a new twist to keep you interested.

IMO there's no need to play The Talos Principle 1 first. Maybe it's even better to play TTP2 first to give you a reason to listen to the story in TTP1.

It took me 35 hours to do all the puzzles and get the good ending, needing only 2 hints. You could finish it in 25 hours if you were willing to skip puzzles, but who plays these games and skips puzzles?

If you're reading and looking for a game, at this price, you'd be insane not to insta-buy it. It's a masterpiece, utterly packed with high quality content.

This is my GOTY for 2023. TTP2 is more great puzzles of increasing difficulty like TTP1's (or The Witness's, or Relikta's, or Portal 2's), but where it truly shines is in its story. I found TTP1's story was kinda meh, like distant philosophers yelling parables at me. TTP2 puts you right in the middle of a world where the philosophical and pragmatic arguments matter, and you have every reason to engage with its questions. It has actual characters and societal problems and diverse opinions. It never feels like it's forcing a narrative. It poses some very timely questions on the future of society as our technology progresses, and gives you a lot to think as you're solving the puzzles. On to the details - the worldbuilding and graphics are jaw dropping for a puzzle game, the sound design is superb, all characters are fully voiced, the puzzles are well done and most engage my brain without ever making me feel completely stuck, and the pacing is perfect - just as you feel there's a lull, there's a new twist to keep you interested. IMO there's no need to play The Talos Principle 1 first. Maybe it's even better to play TTP2 first to give you a reason to listen to the story in TTP1. It took me 35 hours to do all the puzzles and get the good ending, needing only 2 hints. You could finish it in 25 hours if you were willing to skip puzzles, but who plays these games and skips puzzles? If you're reading and looking for a game, at this price, you'd be insane not to insta-buy it. It's a masterpiece, utterly packed with high quality content.