This game is really interesting. It's a first person, open world puzzle game, and the story and setting of the game is learned by exploring the game, which is my favorite way of learning a story. It's also got western philosophy written all over it, and I love that.

So far, the demo shows that the Talos Principle is "the Straton's famous empirical claim that what it is to be human is reducible to mechanical explanations." It is then no surprise that the player character is a humanoid robot who hears God speaking to it, and may or may not follow God's instructions. There is also a computer terminal with which the robot may communicate with somebody claiming to be the robot's conscience, who seems to be at odds with God at times.

God names himself "Elohim" (Elohim means "god most high"; it's the original name of God for the Judeo-Christian religions.) Because God is in the game, faith is probably going to be explored as a concept (not necessarily faith in a religion, though), and was implied as a virtue by God in one of his communications with the player. The game makes a few references to the Bible as well, but only philosophically relevant stuff. If this kind of stuff turns you off, well, there you go. I'm definitely not religious, but I loved it. It's pleasant having God around, what can I say.

The gameplay is very refreshing. The rules of the game are a lot less restrictive, and the setting is designed to be a lot more open than most puzzle games. It really feels a lot more like exploration and investigation than how Portal framed it as a "test" inside a facility. Exploration and investigation really fit with the theme as well; the player may have to ask themselves some philosophical questions during the course of the game. I expect more brain ticklers of both the puzzle and philosophical variety in the full release.

I bought the game immediately after trying it for 10 minutes, because I had faith in it based on what little I saw of it. Then, I completed the demo and knew I'd made the right decision.

If you like Portal, you'll love this.

It will also make you feel really stupid.

Croteam have been excellent lately with their marketing (the promo videos for Serious Sam 3 BFE and its Twitter campaign were spot on) and here they've stepped it up a notch. Offering not one but two free games (this public test here, and the puzzle game called Sigils of Elohim - look it up on Steam)

And it works. After playing Sigils of Elohim and this - let's call it a mix of beta and demo, because that's pretty much what it amounts to - the final game is definitely high on my wishlist.

Here are some thoughts that ran through my head while playing the public test:

• This looks amazing. Here's my new desktop wallpaper. And here. And here. *F12 intensifies*
  
• I gotta have the soundtrack for this.
  
• You're so right, sentient computer terminal thing. Life IS hard to define.
  
• Wait a minute, I have robot hands?! *switch to third person* I'M A ROBOT WHAT
  
• How the heck do I solve this puzzle? What if I put... aww yeah. I am so frickin smrt.
  
• Are you telling me this demobeta thing has secrets? Plural? That introduce completely separate gameplay mechanics?

In short, play this ♥♥♥♥.

A puzzle game that is sure to excite to your mind and eyes. Mind-stimulating puzzles that give us the familiar feel of Portal mixed with something unique to The Talos Principle. This game exhibits great potential, with puzzles that aren't really hard but not very easy either, prompting you to use your mind. Visually the game is amazing, and you'll find yourself pausing for quite a few moments just to look into the bright sun or the clear waters around you...

The short version : Greatly anticipating the arrival of this game.

When I first looked at the game on steam, I admit I didn't want to try it, but after watching the short video about the game, it made me want to play it, amazing game. Very challenging and addictive, the game it's self is far better than challenging puzzle games like Portal and Portal 2, I didn't experience any bugs or glitches while playing, the gameplay was set in beautiful scenery. I can't wait for the full game to come out. I love challenging puzzles like this. Thank you for this experience, it's really an amazing game. I rate this game full 10/10, all I can say is absolutely brilliant game.

I tend to be skeptical of these types of games cause I believe they can go bad very fast. I'm happy to say that this was not the case for TALOS. At first I was wondering what the heck to do but after walking around for a little bit and getting into the first puzzle the way was opened quick and clear just by playing it. No fancy speech or text was required for me to understand what needed to be done. I was given a tool and a puzzle. Simple enough.

By what I was given of the story I was very intrigued and it was portrayed to the player in a way that made it seem very mysterious...which I like....alot.

Also adding interactive features into the lore was pretty cool. Talking about the computer terminal. Awesome.

Last thing to mention, the world is just gorgous and vibrant. One of the things that I feel games like this tend to miss is...well...lack of life. I was surprised to be immersed in a world that seemed to have a life of its own and wasn't just a bland silent trip through the game. (may get punished for this but I think this was an issue for the Myst games)

Can't wait to throw hours of my life at this game and be satisfied every minute.

It's just a good puzzel game. The graphics are amazing and the puzzels are equally difficult. Not to the point of raging, but these require lots of thought. This is a free test, so try it. Extremely excited for the full release.

I've come across the game's ads occasionally in Steam while surfing through newly-released titles. A picture of robot gently holding a kitten in its hands attracted me at once, and here I'm here - with the downloaded and finished Public Test and 100% ready to buy the full game. I'm sure I won't ever regret! Awesome demo! Top notch and winner on all points.

You're curious about The Talos Principle, yet you're unsure about whether you can run it or not?
Have no fear, because with the Public Test, you can give the experience a try to make sure you won't have any unexpected surprises after paying for the full game. Install it, play it, the answer lies within.

(To avoid any further confusion: This free demo doesn't include any nano knifes at all, so don't look for them in it.)

Amazing!

The graphics are great, challenges even greater and the story part is mysterious!

Amazing Graphics, Aamazing Sound Quality, Really nice Puzzle challenges, I highly recommend it

Okey to be honest ? This game is not a game for everyone . its not only a puzzle game , its a very deep and well written experience . its about beeing in a world and becoming self aware , and getting asked the most imortant questions in a life of a thinking being, and exististece itself. Its about the voice which commands , about becoming someone, about going your way and building the future. Its very philosophicle but it does also have a strong thelogical theme . i really loved that aspect.

But thats not all :

some of the puzzeles cant be solved at the beginning , there are stars to find and and each star needs a different technice to get . the music is brillinat , almost godlike . the graphics are stunning ( except for the fake godrays xD ) and the sounds are amazing, and same goes for the level design and detail put in this game . !!! you can nearly costumize every graphical option possible !!!
This game brings something new and its a rich experience about ourselves , about the mysteries of life and about that there is nothing like random stuff going on . Our whole life , everything we have done and everything we will do , all these choices are already made for us. By someone more powerfull then anyone erlse .

Closing Worlds : Its a stunning picture about the existential sadness of consciouness, the legacy of humans, and the beauty in individual life.

should you buy it ? definetley !
10/10

its so beautiful. my daughter cried when she first played this game because of the beautiful music and graphics. i just ran around for awhile enjoying the stunning ambiance.

A beautiful, difficult, and thought-provoking puzzle game created by a development team consisting of a half dozen heavily bearded Croatian men living in a cave in the wilderness.

The demo reveals an unexpectedly delightful first person puzzler. Can't wait to get my hands on the full thing. Consider my interest sufficiently piqued. :)

o man that ost

Beautiful, as well as a wounderful concept!

I really liked it this game. The first person shooter view is nice and definitely a brain worker. Wonderful for people who love puzzle games, how to get out of a room games, beautiful colors and clarity.
I found myself stuck for a few moments on the hard one, but I have a tramutic brain injury and I process things a bit slower now. The Talos Principle is all pretty darn logical, easy to get the hang of, and if you like puzzle games or games like Portal it's definitely for you. I'm only sad I could only play the 1ST level!

It's a free chance to take a look at a puzzle game which has serious potential... Download and play it or I will lose all respect for you, and shun you now and forever.

Such a nice change. Thinking and solving puzzles without shooting/killing anyone? Wouldn't mind if there was a little shooting and kiling though but still great game!