How do you write a review for a game where everything you loved about it is a plot spoiler?

I guess you start your review with a sentence like that one.

The Talos Principle is, at its surface, just a puzzle game. A hard puzzle game, mind you. Don't let the first dozen easy puzzles fool you, the difficulty level rises quite sharply as you move on. So, for all those of you who love their puzzle games a little more challenging than the average, rejoice, this game was made for you.

But beneath the surface, The Talos Principle is so much more than just a collection of puzzles.

I will deliberately refrain from talking about the plot. I know other reviews do, but I'm strongly of the opinion that this is one of those rare story-rich gems where you'll be best served going into it knowing nothing and allowing it to blow your mind. Even the game's own release trailer doesn't reveal anything about the plot, and very wisely so. If you absolutely must read a few words about the plot before deciding whether or not you want to buy it, feel free to check out some other reviews for this game; however, be advised that they might spoil a bit too much.

So what to expect by playing The Talos Principle, and what makes it so special?

It's a game that will make you question, it will make you ponder, it might even make you crack open a few books on philosophy and cognitive science. There's a lot to digest, and to fully appreciate this game you'll have to be the type of gamer who enjoys reading. It's a profound work, and I don't use this word lightly - the writers really did their homework for this one. I'll admit I'm extremely interested in the fields of cognitive science and philosophy of the mind to begin with (the books of Douglas Hofstadter had an almost life-changing effect on me), so that's probably one of the reasons why this game clicked with me so hard. If you're anything like me, do not hesitate to buy this game immediately.

Before concluding this review, I must praise this game for its excellence in the audio/visual department, for it would be a grave omission not to do so. The environments across all worlds where this game takes place in are absolutely gorgeous and wallpaper-worthy (I almost broke my F12 key by hitting it too frequently while playing this game). The music is pleasant and non-distractive, and the voice acting, although sparse, is very well done, a rather rare occurence in videogames.

It might not exactly be for everyone, but if this review made it sound interesting to you at all, listen to that impulse and buy this game - you will not be disappointed.