Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine / 2021)

[Kiltman]

Talked about this a bit in the Xbox thread, since it was day 1 Gamepass. But considering they released this everywhere I thought it deserved its own thread.

It’s a 3D Platformer with a lot more combat mixed in. Lots of puzzles, upgrades, etc you’d expect.

Original came out on the OG Xbox back in the day and was a cult classic. They have a recap at the beginning of this that fills you in on the first one and there are also a ton of YouTube videos that do the same. Also a VR mission was released that takes place in the days between 1 & 2.

Play as Raz / Razputin, a 10 year old kid in a family of traveling acrobats. Who has secretly been practicing his psychic powers for years before running away. That’s all in the first game. This game picks up on your way to Psychonaut Headquarters. Then that place is basically your hub world. With a bunch of different areas to explore. But the key thing with the game is you go inside peoples minds where their personalities, fears, anxieties, issues are all on display in elaborate winding levels. Those levels are really where the game shines on design, story and humor.

 

[Kiltman]

Been playing it the last week and I love it. It’s so imaginative and polished. I’d have to think what else came out this year but it probably deserves some game of the year talk.

If you have Xbox or PC Gamepass just play it for a bit and I think you’ll get into it too. Would pay for it too knowing how good it is.

[Kiltman]

I didn’t really expect just how deep and hard they would go dealing with mental issues people face. Like the way they are dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, doubt is so good, as is how people try but fail to deal with them. 

Like to take that and loop it back so we’ll to the driving story and moreso level design in the brains is just wild.

 

Honestly my only criticism is that it came be a bit of a collection fest at times if you are trying to 100% everything. But it does make you explore the whole levels.