The beauty of all things.
That's what this game is to me. Beauty as a game, beauty as an idea.
A beacon of light. A wonderful experience.

Croteam have done it again, and returned to continue what was one of my favorite puzzle games of all time.
Talos Principle 2 is the continuation of everything begun by the first game, and in my opinion, Croteam have knocked it out of the park. A truly sublime experience that any fan of puzzle games, or hell, any person with a desire to think about questions and to experience something beautiful, will no doubt enjoy as much as I did.

The game is played much in the same way as the first game, but elevated to a new level of quality. Everything from puzzle design, environments and pacing have been drastically improved from the first game and offer a far more varied and interesting experience. More to see, more to do, more to experience. The definition of a fantastic sequel.
The puzzles aren't necessarily the hardest you'll see, but they're part of the journey, not the destination. And even then they can throw a few curveballs at you. (But I can be a dumb dumb at times)

One of my favorite things is, of course, the environments, they are - and I don't say this lightly - STUNNING from beginning to end. One gorgeous location and vista after another.
Every part of the game looks and feels beautiful - from the fantastically designed, simple and satisfying UI - to the environments you explore as you unravel puzzles and engage with your companions.
Every aspect of the game has received the level of care and attention most developers wouldn't think of.

The music and sounds are also beautiful and not intrusive, serving to enhance the experience as you discover new locations and interact with the game world and its challenges.
I've lost count of the sheer amount of locations, sights and monuments that made me gush, as I adore the environments Croteam have created with all my heart.

The thoughtful and interesting questions and conversations remain one of the game's core strengths. I became invested in all of my fellow team members and other NPCs. There's something genuinely interesting and touching about all of them, and none of them are one-dimensional. You will be asked countless thought-provoking questions and engage in plenty of dialogue to wet your appetite. A genuine joy for anyone who likes to ask questions and to ask their own.

The story is beautiful and truly speaks to me personally, but I admit, I have always been a sucker for these kinds of themes and stories. So your mileage there may vary of course. Expect heavy emphasis on questions of existentialism and what it means to be human, what we should aspire to, and what makes us who we are. Also heavy usage of classical Greek philosophy and mythological figures / themes. But none of that should surprise someone familiar with Talos Principle.

The game is also very well polished, and I ran into no major issues aside from the occasional slight frame drops. No major bugs or issues to take me out of the experience. Might seem silly to say, but I think we've all seen one too many games come out half-baked in recent years. Croteam clearly took time and care to craft this experience, and they succeeded.

All in all, the game is beautiful from beginning to end, created with obvious love and care and thought behind it. With abundant things to see and think about, the game is a no-brainer to anyone who enjoyed the first game, or anyone intrigued by the premise. A sublime and exceptional experience more than worth the price.

Bravo, Croteam, you've created something truly exceptional, and I can't wait to see what you do next.
I believe I've found my GOTY, and another favorite to place in my very own pantheon of games to remember.
And it came at a good time as this game truly cheered me up at a fairly dark and hopeless time. And reminded me of the better parts of myself and the world.

And that, I think, makes it more than worth experiencing.
Thank you, everyone at Croteam. And thank you, if you read this rambling review.
You're all beautiful.