Boxes let the player climb to higher levels or to block the path of drones, among other factors, and large fans that can launch the player or other objects across the puzzle. Portable crystalline refractors allow the player to activate light-based switches. As the player collects sigils and completes more puzzles, new puzzle elements become available. Drones and turrets can be disabled using portable jammer units, which can also disable force-field walls that block the player's path. These include computer-controlled drones that will detonate if they are too close to the player, killing them, and wall-mounted turrets that will shoot down the player if they get too close if the player dies this way, they are reset to the start of the specific puzzle. The puzzles require the player to collect tetromino-shaped ' sigils' by navigating enclosed areas and overcoming obstacles within them. These environments interlock greenery, desert, and stone ruins with futuristic technology. The player takes the role of a robot with a seemingly human consciousness as they explore a number of environments that include over 120 puzzles.

The Talos Principle is a narrative-based puzzle game, played from a first- or third-person perspective. Other names taken from mythology and religion and used in the game include Elohim, Gehenna, Samsara, and Uriel. It takes its name from Talos of Greek mythology, a giant mechanical man who protected Europa in Crete from pirates and invaders. The game features a philosophical storyline. A DLC entitled Road to Gehenna was released on 23 July 2015.

Virtual reality-enabled versions for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive were released on 18 October 2017. It was released for Android in May 2015, for PlayStation 4 in October 2015, for iOS in October 2017, for Xbox One in August 2018, and Nintendo Switch in December 2019. It was simultaneously released on Linux, OS X and Windows in December 2014. The Talos Principle is a 2014 puzzle video game developed by Croteam and published by Devolver Digital.

E talos principle