The Talos Principle 2: Ultimate Ending Walkthrough

The Talos Principle 2 not only excels as a puzzle game, but it also boasts an expansive and intricate storyline. As you navigate through its world, you'll have numerous opportunities to engage with other characters, express your thoughts, and even share posts on social media. The game revolves around profound philosophical debates concerning the future of humanity and its position in the world. Your choices in these debates will significantly impact various aspects of the narrative as you progress.

In The Talos Principle 2, there are three primary endings, along with several additional scenes and variations that can be unlocked under specific circumstances. This comprehensive guide will outline how to achieve each ending and access these optional scenes, while minimizing any potential spoilers.

Main Endings - The Final Choice

In order to complete the main story in The Talos Principle, players must solve eight puzzles in each of the 12 areas. This achievement grants them access to the megastructure a total of four times. Throughout the game, players will have conversations with three characters: Prometheus, Pandora, and the Sphinx. Each of these characters represents a different philosophical perspective on the envisioned future of New Jerusalem.

Upon entering the megastructure for the final time, players are faced with a crucial decision regarding the machine. There are three options available, with each option aligning with one of the three characters mentioned above. Choosing one of these options will unlock one of the main endings. Although there may be minor deviations based on previous choices, these three endings form the primary components of the game's epilogue.

Leap of Faith - Choose to use the machine for the betterment of New Jerusalem (Prometheus ending)

Momentum Deferred - Choose to shut the machine down because humanity isn't ready (Sphinx ending)

Certain Fathoms in the Earth - Opt for the annihilation of the machine (Pandora ending)

Variations

Furthermore, the choices you make regarding various aspects of the narrative will have a significant impact on the fates of the different characters.

The Mayor

Upon concluding your fourth expedition within the colossal structure, you shall rouse to discover that a momentous election transpired during your dormant state. The election can yield various outcomes, each capable of influencing certain elements of the concluding cinematic sequences.

Throughout The Talos Principle 2, players are faced with numerous choices that can ultimately impact the outcome of the election in New Jerusalem. Narrowing down which choices are crucial can be challenging, but generally, shaping the attitudes of the city can be achieved through social media responses and conversations. Similar to the main endings, there are three key variations.

For Hermanubis to remain as mayor, it is advisable to make conservative choices in conversations and social media posts. Opt for options that portray the Goal positively and oppose growth for New Jerusalem. Share the information from the Somnodrome with the people while withholding it from the rest of the city.

For Byron's mayoral term, prioritize progressive conversations and social media posts. Choose options that foster growth and view the Goal as hindering progress for New Jerusalem. When discussing with Hermanubis before boarding the VTOL, express disbelief in the Goal as a harmful myth for humanity. Share the information obtained from the Somnodrome with the public.

For Rand's mayoral term, opt for more moderate choices in conversations and social media posts. When conversing with Hermanubis before boarding the VTOL, mention your skepticism towards the Goal as a myth detrimental to humanity. Exercise caution when sharing the information gathered from the Somnodrome with the public.

The mayor will appear in the different epilogues and you'll sometimes get different dialogue depending on who is in charge and what final choice you make.

Golden Gate Puzzles

In order to unlock 12 additional, advanced puzzles in The Talos Principle 2, players must successfully complete all main puzzles in each area, including the eight required to access the tower, as well as the separate "bonus" puzzles in each area.

By successfully completing all 120 normal puzzles, players will unlock one challenging Golden Gate puzzle in each area. These puzzles pose a greater difficulty compared to the rest of the game. If players manage to solve all 12 Golden Gate puzzles, a final Golden Gate puzzle will unlock at the megastructure location. Going through this puzzle will offer an opportunity to engage in another activity and participate in dialogue. We won't spoil what it unlocks, but it significantly alters all three endings and even includes additional scenes.

Yaqut's Epilogue

Completing the Golden Gate puzzles will grant you access to an extra epilogue scene featuring Yaqut. The specific requirements to unlock this scene are uncertain due to a bug in our playthrough, but we have a fairly strong understanding of what they may be.

After your fourth exploration of the megastructure, you will return to New Jerusalem before embarking on the final venture back to the island for The Talos Principle 2's conclusion. During this time, you will engage in conversations with the other members of your expedition, gauging their interest in accompanying you on the final journey.

You specifically desire Yaqut's company for this last undertaking. To persuade him, it is important to consistently reassure him about the potential hazards of the megastructure and assure him that he is not alone in his concerns. If he agrees to join you, there will be an additional scene pertaining to the Golden Gate puzzle scenes.

Additional Scenes

Star puzzles

Another set of additional puzzles revolve around the statues of Prometheus, Pandora, and the Sphinx found in each of the areas. With each area containing two statues, completing a single statue puzzle grants you a valuable Star item. By gathering all 24 Stars, you can proceed to a hidden gate within the megastructure, referred to by the other characters as an Astronomy temple. Placing the Stars on the gate will ultimately allow you to unlock it.

Beyond the gate lies yet another puzzle waiting to be solved. Successfully unraveling this puzzle unveils an additional cutscene, potentially hinting at further story possibilities for The Talos Principle 3. Although technically not part of the ending, this cutscene is a supplementary addition to the game's overarching narrative.

Check out our guides for completing the Pandora statue puzzles and Sphinx statue puzzles to aid you in progressing.

Trevor's audio logs

Scattered throughout each area's terminals are audio logs from Trevor, a colleague of Alexandra Drennan. She is the scientist behind the simulation that brought these advanced robotic beings to life. By discovering all 12 of Trevor's logs, you will unravel his narrative and unlock an additional scene that appears during the credits.

Finding these is not difficult if you are persistent in searching every corner of each region. Utilize the compass displayed on the top of your screen, which will display question mark icons to indicate unexplored items in close proximity. After completing Trevor's entire narrative, stay till the end of the credits to witness its climax.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am intrigued by the concept of The Talos Principle 2 and its multiple endings. The idea of choices having a significant impact on the narrative and the exploration of profound philosophical debates is particularly appealing. I appreciate the inclusion of intricate puzzles and intriguing characters, as these elements add depth and complexity to the gameplay experience.

The opportunity to engage with other characters, express thoughts, and share posts on social media adds a unique layer of interactivity and immersion. The game's focus on philosophical debates concerning the future of humanity and its position in the world resonates with me as a Gen Z netizen, as these are topics that are relevant and important to our generation. I am excited to discover the different endings and variations available and to see how my choices shape the narrative and the ultimate fate of the characters. Overall, The Talos Principle 2 seems like a thought-provoking and engaging game that I would enjoy playing.