The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle
Developer(s)Croteam
Publisher(s)Devolver Digital
Director(s)
  • Davor Hunski
  • Alen Ladavac
  • Davor Tomičić
Producer(s)
  • Davor Hunski
  • Alen Ladavac
Designer(s)
  • Davor Hunski
  • Alen Ladavac
  • Davor Tomičić
Programmer(s)Alen Ladavac
Artist(s)Davor Hunski
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Damjan Mravunac
EngineSerious Engine 4
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, PlayStation 4, iOS, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release
  • Windows, OS X, Linux
  • 11 December 2014
  • Android
  • 28 May 2015
  • PlayStation 4
  • 13 October 2015
  • iOS
  • 11 October 2017
  • Xbox One
  • 31 August 2018
  • Nintendo Switch
  • 10 December 2019
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player

The Talos Principle is a 2014 puzzle video game developed by Croteam and published by Devolver Digital. It was simultaneously released on Linux, OS X and Windows in December 2014. It was released for Android in May 2015, for PlayStation 4 in October 2015, for iOS in October 2017, for Xbox One in August 2018, and Nintendo Switch in December 2019. Virtual reality-enabled versions for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive were released on 18 October 2017. The downloadable content Road to Gehenna was released on 23 July 2015.

The game features a philosophical storyline. The name of the game refers to a philosophical principle formulated by a fictional Greek philosopher known as Straton of Stageira. In texts found in the game, Straton argues that the consciousness of Talos of Greek mythology (a mechanical yet conscious man) implies that humans are also merely machines (albeit biological ones). The game features more names taken from mythology and religion, such as Elohim, Gehenna, Samsara, and Uriel.

The game received critical acclaim. A sequel, The Talos Principle 2, was released in November 2023.