Revisiting a beloved classic can be a risky move, but The Talos Principle: Reawakened makes a strong case for why it was worth the effort – going above and beyond the typical remaster treatment. Developed by Croteam and published by Devolver Digital, this PlayStation 5 version of the philosophical puzzler gives the original experience a modern facelift while adding some meaningful extras for both newcomers and long-time fans. Built in Unreal Engine 5 and bundling in both the original expansion, Road to Gehenna, and a new narrative prologue titled In the Beginning, Reawakened doesn’t just celebrate what made the original special – it reframes it in a more cohesive and technically polished package.
The game’s story is still its most thought-provoking element. Set in a post-human world governed by a mysterious AI consciousness, players step into the role of a synthetic being navigating puzzle-laden environments in search of meaning, truth, and identity. With the addition of the new In the Beginning chapter, we now gain more insight into the origins of the Simulation and its overseer, Alexandra Drennan, lending an added emotional weight and a fresh perspective to the overarching narrative. This prequel section blends well with the game’s original themes of consciousness and autonomy, though its shorter length and more guided structure don’t offer quite the same sense of philosophical meandering that defines the main campaign.
Reawakened is more than just a narrative repackage – it’s a visual overhaul too. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, the environments now shine with richly detailed lighting, enhanced textures, and smoother environmental transitions – bringing it more in line with its excellent sequel. Landscapes like sun-drenched temples and misty forests feel more atmospheric and immersive than before, and while the original was already visually striking for its time, the technical upgrade makes it easier to appreciate the subtle mood shifts that accompany your journey through the Simulation’s layers.
Puzzle design, thankfully, remains as smart and satisfying as fans remember – and even if you ignore the narrative it’s still a great puzzle game. The game’s signature mechanics – using jammers, connectors, and environmental manipulation to solve spatial conundrums – have aged extremely well. The gradual layering of mechanics still hits a satisfying rhythm, challenging players without feeling obtuse. The Road to Gehenna expansion, included in this release, turns the difficulty up a notch and is best tackled after the main campaign, offering some of the most demanding and creative puzzles in the series. However, some returning players might feel that Reawakened plays things too safely, as the core puzzles are largely unchanged from the original and the new prequel content doesn’t introduce any major gameplay innovations.
Control-wise, the game translates very well to the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, with tight and intuitive inputs making puzzle navigation smooth and natural. The control scheme is cleanly mapped, and quality-of-life improvements like quicker interaction prompts and improved navigation through the environment make the experience more user-friendly than before. Though some minor pathing quirks still persist – especially in tighter puzzle layouts – they rarely distract from the overall flow of play.
Reawakened also introduces a robust Puzzle Editor, a welcome addition for the community. While this feature will shine brightest on PC with its history of user communities, it’s great to see the console version support it as well. For creative minds eager to experiment or extend the game’s life with custom content, the editor holds a lot of promise, though its interface may not be quite as comfortable on a controller. Still, it’s a valuable step toward future-proofing the game and giving fans new ways to engage with its systems.
For anyone who missed the original Talos Principle – or those who’ve been waiting for a good reason to replay it – Reawakened offers a definitive version of one of the most cerebral and impressive puzzle games of the past decade. Its upgrades feel meaningful without straying from what made the original compelling, and while the philosophical musings might not resonate with everyone, the new chapter will appeal to fans despite not offering much mechanical evolution. Taken as a whole, The Talos Principle: Reawakened delivers a refined, thought-provoking experience that earns its place in the current generation’s puzzle lineup as one of the best out there.
Score: 9.0/10
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