The Ultimate Guide to The Talos Principle 2's Ending

The Talos Principle 2 is an exceptional puzzle game that boasts an extensive and intricate storyline. Throughout your exploration of its world, you will have numerous opportunities to engage with other characters, voice your opinions, and even share your experiences on social media. The game delves into profound philosophical debates surrounding the future of humanity and its role in the world. Your choices during these debates will shape different parts 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 walk you through obtaining each ending and experiencing the optional scenes, while keeping spoilers to a minimum.

Main Endings - The Final Choice

To complete the main story in The Talos Principle, you must solve eight puzzles in each of the 12 areas. This will grant you access to the megastructure, allowing you to enter it a total of four times. Throughout the game, you will have conversations with Prometheus, Pandora, and the Sphinx, each representing a different philosophical viewpoint on the future of New Jerusalem.

During your final visit to the megastructure, you will need to make a decision regarding the machine. There are three options available, corresponding to each of the three characters, and selecting one will unlock one of the main endings. While there may be some slight variations based on your actions throughout the game, these three endings form the primary conclusions in 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)

Variations

Apart from the primary choices that determine the ending, the way you handle different aspects of the narrative will have an impact on the fates of the various characters.

The Mayor

Upon concluding your fourth expedition within the colossal structure, you will regain consciousness only to discover that a significant election has transpired during your state of dormancy. The ramifications of this electoral event can manifest in disparate outcomes, influencing specific facets of the concluding cinematic sequences.

Throughout The Talos Principle 2, there are numerous decisions to be made, making it challenging to determine which ones significantly impact the election's outcome. However, the attitudes of New Jerusalem can be influenced through your interactions on social media and conversations. Similar to the main endings, there are three primary variations.

To ensure that Hermanubis remains mayor, adopt a generally conservative approach in your conversations and social media posts. Opt for choices that present the Goal in a positive manner and prioritize inhibiting growth for New Jerusalem. Additionally, choose to share the information from the Somnodrome with the people while withholding it from the rest of New Jerusalem.

Under Byron's mayoralty, it is advisable to adopt a generally progressive approach in conversations and social media posts. Favor choices that support growth and consider the Goal to have a negative impact, leading to stagnation in New Jerusalem. When speaking to Hermanubis before boarding the VTOL, express that you believed the Goal to be a harmful myth for humanity. Additionally, make sure to share the information obtained from the Somnodrome with the public.

If Rand becomes mayor, it is recommended to exercise a more cautious and moderate stance in conversations and social media posts. Express to Hermanubis, before boarding the VTOL, that you viewed the Goal as a myth that has detrimental consequences for humanity. Proceed with caution when sharing the information from the Somnodrome with the general population.

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 addition to the main puzzles, there are 12 additional high-level puzzles in The Talos Principle 2. These puzzles can only be accessed after completing all the other main puzzles in each area, including the eight required to access the tower. Additionally, there are separate "bonus" puzzles in each area that need to be completed.

By solving all 120 normal puzzles, players unlock a Golden Gate puzzle in each area. These puzzles pose a greater challenge than any other in the game. If all 12 Golden Gate puzzles are completed, a final Golden Gate puzzle will unlock at the megastructure location. Entering this puzzle provides an opportunity to engage in another activity and have some dialogue. Without revealing what it unlocks, it drastically alters all three endings and includes additional scenes.

Yaqut's Epilogue

Upon finishing the Golden Gate puzzles, players will have the opportunity to access a bonus epilogue scene featuring Yaqut. Unfortunately, due to a glitch in our playthrough, the exact requirements to unlock this scene remain uncertain. Nonetheless, we have a strong understanding of what it entails.

After your fourth exploration of the megastructure, you will return to New Jerusalem before embarking on the ultimate journey back to the island for the conclusion of The Talos Principle 2. At this stage, you will engage in conversations with the fellow members of your expedition to determine if they wish to accompany you on this final expedition.

It is your desire for Yaqut to join you for this crucial phase. To persuade him, it is important to consistently reassure him about the perils of the megastructure and assure him that he is not alone in his concerns. Should he decide to accompany you, an additional scene pertaining to the Golden Gate puzzle scenes can be expected.

Additional Scenes

Star puzzles

There is another set of additional puzzles that revolve around the statues of Prometheus, Pandora, and the Sphinx which can be found in each of the areas. Every one of the 12 areas houses two statues, and successfully completing one will grant you a Star item. By collecting all 24 Stars, you gain access to another gate located in the megastructure area, precisely within what other characters refer to as an Astronomy temple. It is possible to place the Stars onto the gate, gradually unlocking it.

Hidden beyond the gate awaits one more puzzle. By solving it, a new cutscene will be revealed which may introduce additional story possibilities for The Talos Principle 3. Although not technically part of the ending, this cutscene will be triggered when you successfully complete the final Star puzzle. It serves as a supplementary component to the overall storyline of the game.

Check out our guides for completing the Pandora statue puzzles and Sphinx statue puzzles to help you get through.

Trevor's audio logs

Scattered throughout the terminals in each area, you can discover audio logs from Trevor, one of Alexandra Drennan's colleagues. Alexandra, the scientist behind the simulation that brought these new robotic humans to life. By locating all 12 of Trevor's logs, you will unveil his entire story, and this achievement will unlock an additional scene when the credits roll.

If you're diligent in searching every corner of each area, finding these won't be too difficult. Utilize the compass located at the top of the screen, which displays question mark icons to signal nearby undiscovered items. After you have obtained the entire story of Trevor, stay tuned during the credits to witness its climax.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find The Talos Principle 2's exploration of philosophical themes and the future of humanity to be particularly intriguing. The game presents a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of these complex issues, and it encourages players to think critically about their own beliefs and values. I appreciate the way the game weaves these philosophical discussions into the gameplay, making them an integral part of the experience.

The multiple endings and variations in The Talos Principle 2 add depth and replay value to the game. Each ending offers a unique perspective on the story, and the choices players make throughout the game have a real impact on the outcome. This encourages players to experiment with different choices and see how they affect the narrative. Overall, I think The Talos Principle 2 is a well-crafted and thought-provoking game that offers a lot for players to explore and contemplate.