It also helps that they do enlist the voices behind the screams of a Nickelodeon cartoon. It screams the same styling of a late 90s Nickelodeon cartoon. An unorthodox style of cartoon design where body proportions and shape can vary wildly- yet maintain strong silhouettes. Psychonauts 2, its predecessor, has a very distinctive art style. It’s an amazing sequel, and redeem all of the faults of the original. The game took its sweet, sweet time, but the result was worth it. It became a cult hit despite some major faults.ĭecades later, a crowdfunding campaign and a buyout by Microsoft, Psychonauts 2 is finally here to continue the mind-jumping adventures of plucky 10-year-old Razputin “Raz” Aquato. The term wasn’t invented yet, but Double Fine has been exuding indie games energy before it was cool. The world of Psychonauts is an imaginative one, with fun writing all around but was led down for not being a competent 3D platformer- the game genre in fashion way back then. This was the debut title of Double Fine, a studio founded by LucasArts veteran Tim Schafer famous for penning the fun and amazing point-and-click adventure games of the late 90s. Of course, if you’re like me, you’ll still end up falling into the abyss and getting lost when searching for collectibles.In 2005, Psychonauts was released to the world, with critical acclaim but a commercial failure. It still feels distinctly Psychonauts, but you won’t be missing jumps or wondering where to go anymore, as the level design has also been sharpened. Platforming is excellent and movement possesses far more weight than before. Psychonauts 2’s gameplay is a sign of how far it’s come, which finally feels like a match for its visual presentation and world design.

This level of creativity extends across the whole game, and there’s not one level that isn’t a Psi-Blast to play through.

Another stage, arguably the game’s finest, has Raz trying to reunite the senses of a character who suffers from synesthesia, which plays like an acid-fuelled ‘80s rock adventure. One level has Raz platforming over bottles of whiskey and memories overgrown by plants as he tries to reignite the passion of a psychic who specialises in gardening. These worlds are representations of a character’s mental state, staring down serious themes with tact, determination, and bags of creativity. Nowhere is this more present than in Psychonauts 2’s brain levels, which are easily the game’s highlight. Psychonauts 2 is much like its fledgling protagonist, in that it’s a master of the balancing act and always manages to surprise you. Psychonauts 2 looks and sounds great and retains its wonky aesthetic, managing to shift its sight and sound between different worlds and levels effortlessly. How Psychonauts 2 manages to handle tough subjects like alcoholism and anxiety whilst also being wickedly funny and respectful is impressive.Īll of this is wrapped up in the same wonderful visual style from the first game, but on a much grander scale. At one point in the story, Raz is reprimanded for trying to change someone’s mind for his own good, resulting in disastrous consequences for the characters involved. Psychonauts 2 approaches some serious themes, and it does so with the right mix of humour and care. You don’t need to be invested in the first game to enjoy any of what Psychonauts 2 has to offer, but such winks and nods are a lot more effective if you are.

Seeing long-theorised characters like Compton Boole and story elements surrounding the Aquato curse that were merely referenced 15 years ago come to life here is a real treat, and there are so many special moments for those who have been waiting for a sequel. If you’re a fan of the original, this expands on it in some significant ways.

Psychonauts 2 review