- 31,861 reviews95% positive
- Steam store page
Does The Talos Principle run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?
| Windows 11 | Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. Source |
|---|---|
| Mac (Apple Silicon) | Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. Source |
| Linux | Yes, there is a native Linux version. Source |
| Steam Deck | Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. Source |
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Synopsis
A first-person puzzle game in which an artificial being wakes among ancient ruins and is guided by a voice that sets it a series of trials. You solve self-contained puzzles with jammers, connectors, boxes and recordings of your own past actions. Computer terminals scattered through the worlds raise questions about consciousness and what it means to be a person.
What people say
Critics praised its clever, carefully built puzzles and its thoughtful philosophical writing, rare for the genre. Players still single out the satisfying moments when a solution clicks and note that it looks and runs well today. Criticism focuses on a slow start, late puzzles that drag or feel repetitive, optional star puzzles that many find unfair without hints, and motion sickness for some players. Technical complaints are fewer, though the Mac version does not run natively on Apple Silicon.
Playability today
Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.
Runs today: 5 / 5
- ✓Sold today from an official store
- ✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
- –Single-player works without an internet connection
- –All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
- –Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
- ✓Full controller support or remappable controls
- ✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
- ✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
- ✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
- –No known game-breaking bugs in the current version
Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.
Design today: 4.5 / 5
- ✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardSimple first-person controls with full controller support, and controls are not a common complaint; evidence on this point is thin. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
- ✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensIt supports widescreen, ultrawide and 4K, and players say it still looks polished. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, vaporlens.app.
- ✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressPuzzles are short and the game saves automatically, though at least one review complains of lost progress; evidence on this point is thin. Source: vaporlens.app.
- ✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressPuzzles introduce each tool gradually and players can leave a stuck puzzle for later, though optional star puzzles often send players to guides. Source: vaporlens.app.
- ✓Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingThe main path is mostly puzzle after puzzle without filler, although the opening is slow and later areas feel long to some players. Source: vaporlens.app.
- ✗Camera and movement never fight the playerMotion sickness, headaches and dizziness are a recurring complaint, even among players who are not usually affected. Source: vaporlens.app.
Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.
Sources
- Steam store page (requirements, platforms)
- SteamSpy (Steam review counts)
- Steam Deck compatibility, Valve
- ProtonDB reports
- Metacritic
- PCGamingWiki: The Talos Principle
- Vaporlens: The Talos Principle review summary
How does it play for you today?