The Ultimate Guide to The Talos Principle 2's Ending

The Talos Principle 2 is an exceptional puzzle game that also features a captivating and intricate storyline. While exploring the game's world, you will have numerous opportunities to engage with other characters, express your viewpoints, and even share your experiences on social media. The game revolves around profound philosophical debates concerning humanity's future and its role in the world. Your choices during these debates will shape various aspects of the narrative as you progress.

The Talos Principle 2 offers three main endings, along with several additional scenes and variations that can be unlocked under specific circumstances. This comprehensive guide will provide instructions on how to achieve each ending and discover the optional content, while minimizing any potential spoilers.

Main Endings - The Final Choice

To complete the main story in The Talos Principle, players must solve a total of eight puzzles in each of the game's 12 areas. This achievement grants access to the megastructure on four separate occasions. Throughout the game, players will engage in conversations with Prometheus, Pandora, and the Sphinx, each representing a distinct philosophical perspective on the future of New Jerusalem.

During the final visit to the megastructure, players face a pivotal decision regarding the machine's fate. Three options align with the viewpoints of the three aforementioned figures, consequently leading to three different main endings. While small variations may occur based on previous choices, these three endings compose the key components of the 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

In addition to the primary options for concluding the narrative, the manner in which you handle the different aspects of the story will have an impact on the outcomes experienced by the diverse cast of characters.

The Mayor

Upon completing your fourth expedition within the megastructure, you will awaken to discover that an election has transpired during your period of deactivation. The election's various outcomes possess the potential to influence certain elements within the concluding cutscenes too.

Throughout the course of The Talos Principle 2, you have numerous choices to make, but it can be difficult to determine which ones are crucial in influencing the outcome of the election. However, you can generally shape the attitudes of New Jerusalem through your responses on social media and conversations. Similar to the main endings, there exist three key variations.

To ensure that Hermanubis remains the mayor, opt for generally conservative choices in your conversations and social media posts. Choose options that portray the Goal in a positive light and advocate against the growth of New Jerusalem. Make the decision to share the information from the Somnodrome with the people, while withholding it from the rest of New Jerusalem.

Byron is elected as the mayor, he should make progressive choices in conversations and social media posts, promoting growth and considering the Goal as negative and stagnating for New Jerusalem. When talking to Hermanubis before boarding the VTOL, Byron should express his belief that the Goal is just a myth that has negative implications for humanity. Additionally, sharing the information sourced from the Somnodrome with the public is important.

On the other hand, if Rand is elected as the mayor, it is advised to make more cautious and moderate choices in conversations and social media posts. Similar to Byron, when speaking with Hermanubis before boarding the VTOL, Rand should mention that he also considers the Goal as a myth that has negative impacts on humanity. It is suggested to share the information from the Somnodrome with the people, but with a more cautious approach.

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

There are 12 additional, high-level puzzles that can only be unlocked by completing all main puzzles in each of The Talos Principle 2's areas, including the eight required to access the tower and the standalone "bonus" puzzles in each area.

Upon completing all 120 normal puzzles, one Golden Gate puzzle is unlocked in each area. These puzzles are more challenging than any other in the game. By completing all 12 Golden Gate puzzles, a final one unlocks at the megastructure location. Entering this location allows you to engage in another activity and participate in some dialogue. We won't reveal what it unlocks, but it significantly alters all three endings and even introduces additional scenes.

Yaqut's Epilogue

By successfully solving all of the Golden Gate puzzles, players will have the opportunity to unlock an extra epilogue scene featuring Yaqut. Unfortunately, due to a bug in our playthrough, we are not entirely certain what exactly is required to trigger this scene. However, we do have a fairly good understanding of the process.

After your fourth exploration of the megastructure, you will return to New Jerusalem before embarking on the final journey back to the island in The Talos Principle 2's endgame. At this point, you will engage in conversations with the other members of your expedition to determine if they are willing to join you on the final trip.

To ensure that Yaqut accompanies you for this last part, it is crucial to consistently provide reassurance about the dangers of the megastructure throughout the game, making him feel supported in his concerns. If he agrees to come along, an additional scene pertaining to the Golden Gate puzzle scenes should be unlocked.

Additional Scenes

Star puzzles

A separate set of additional challenges pertains to the statues of Prometheus, Pandora, and the Sphinx scattered throughout the various areas. Each of the 12 regions contains two statues, and by completing each one, you will be rewarded with a Star item. Accumulating all 24 Stars enables you to access another gate located within the megastructure, specifically hidden within what the other characters refer to as an Astronomy temple. Attaching the Stars to the gate progressively unlocks it.

Beyond the gate lies yet another puzzle. Solving it will unveil an additional cutscene that potentially hints at further story possibilities for The Talos Principle 3. Although not technically part of the ending, this cutscene will be triggered upon successfully finishing the final Star puzzle, serving as a supplementary addition to the game's overall narrative.

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

Trevor's audio logs

Scattered throughout the terminals present in each area are audio logs from Trevor, one of Alexandra Drennan's colleagues. Alexandra is the scientist responsible for conceiving the simulation that gave birth to these innovative robotic beings. By locating all 12 of Trevor's logs, you will conclude his narrative and unlock an additional scene during the credits.

Finding these items shouldn't be too difficult if you're dedicated to thoroughly searching each area. Utilize the compass located at the top of the screen, which will display question mark icons to signal nearby undiscovered items. Make sure to stay until the end of the credits after completing Trevor's entire storyline to witness its culmination.

Editor's P/S

The Talos Principle 2 is a thought-provoking game that explores profound philosophical themes. The game's multiple endings and variations add to its replay value and encourage players to reflect on the consequences of their choices.

I appreciate the game's willingness to tackle complex issues and present them in a way that is both accessible and engaging. The characters are well-developed and have distinct personalities, making their interactions with the player feel meaningful. The puzzles are challenging but fair, and the sense of satisfaction from solving them is immense. Overall, I highly recommend The Talos Principle 2 to anyone interested in thought-provoking games with a strong narrative.