So I'm just starting this game (its 50 percent off on steam this week, by the way), I'm enjoying it but I was also wondering how often I should be interacting with the monitors spread throughout the game. It seems like I should check in at least every once in a while to talk to the 'entity' that's talking to me there but I there are other things that I'm concerned about. Should I read all the text logs? Are there crucial pieces of the story that are in there? Can I miss stuff if I don't check them out soon enough?

Some of it is interesting backstory, logs from the scientists working on the Talos Project, things eluding to whatever the heck happened to humanity, etc.

I recommend checking them all out, they help add more to the story and feel of the game, and paint more of a picture.

Now I wanna replay this game. It is freaking fantastic

A lot of my favorite stuff in that game came from the monitors, so I would check them as often as possible.

Well, for the most part, it's not necessary. But it would be a real shame not to read as much as you can - there's some really interesting stuff in those logs.

Also, you'll know when to check them because they'll be making an obnoxious beeping noise. There's also a lot of hidden monitors.