It's hard to describe this game because the main appeal is really how much heart it manages to fit in to itself. The gameplay kind of ranges between fun to kinda bad but rarely gets too egregious. There's quite a few segments that are realy fun!
The main thing that keeps it going though is all the various interactions that you can have with the side characters and get to appreciate that emotional depth that the writing team headed by Tim Schafer fit in to it all.
The main thing that keeps it going though is all the various interactions that you can have with the side characters and get to appreciate that emotional depth that the writing team headed by Tim Schafer fit in to it all.
Smartly written and endlessly charming, Psychonauts is an ambitious action-platformer that never plays the same for more than a minute. Such strikingly diverse level design and gameplay would be an immediate criticism of any game other than this joyous excursion into psychological chaos. The madness works on the basis of its premise of the hero jumping into people's troubled minds to help them overcome traumas (Inception, anyone?). Silly as that may sound, the abundance of quirky characters brim with personality and really bring the experience to life. There are no doubt high and less-high points in a game as freewheeling as this, the peak being the surreal, funny and rather Lynchian level known as the Milkman Conspiracy. You'll just have to play it.
The biggest stand-out of Psychonauts are its immensely creative level concepts, one moment you'll be journeying through someone's war-torn psyche, the next you're the star in a Godzilla movie, then a board game is turned into your playground, and this is to say nothing about The Milkman Conspiracy (for good reason the most famous part of the game). It's genuinely wonderful how many ideas Psychonauts can find within the framework of setting you loose platforming among people's minds, internal worlds brought to life from their trauma and struggles via striking visual design, and you can never really know what awaits in whichever subconscious is coming next.
The rest of the game is more of a mixed bag for me. People praise the writing, and there really are some lovely moments to it with its mix of delightful wit and off-kilter wackiness, plus how well the writing plays alongside the creative level designs (again, The Milkman Conspiracy is just impeccable in this regard), but there are also some distinct low-points to it for me also; particularly when the game descends into a bunch of characters incessantly shrieking at each other in annoying voices (notable personal grievances here including the actors in Gloria's Theater, and any scene featuring Dr Loboto). I think the positives outweigh the negatives here, and the writing is generally enjoyable, just not without its moments of annoyance.
On a similar note the gameplay is generally enjoyable in large part because exploring these worlds is so engaging, and the levitation ball is such a fun way of getting around that I literally never unequipped it from its item slot, but again there are annoyances; I had a handful of glitches and one incident of an awfully placed kill-plane throughout my playthrough, the controls never feel quite precise enough for some of the things you're asked to do, I can't think of any bosses in the game that I'd call good, and the early-game scraping together of arrowheads was a huge drag. Most of this is ultimately fine and easy enough to ignore as these levels really are enticing, but it all came crashing down with the game's conclusion for me; Meat Circus, and the parade of mediocre-at-best boss fights that surround it, is just a bad experience, and left a really sour taste in my mouth as the game's final note.
I can definitely see why this game is so beloved, it's incredibly creative and at its best very charming, but I also found it far from perfect in ways I struggle to ignore.
The rest of the game is more of a mixed bag for me. People praise the writing, and there really are some lovely moments to it with its mix of delightful wit and off-kilter wackiness, plus how well the writing plays alongside the creative level designs (again, The Milkman Conspiracy is just impeccable in this regard), but there are also some distinct low-points to it for me also; particularly when the game descends into a bunch of characters incessantly shrieking at each other in annoying voices (notable personal grievances here including the actors in Gloria's Theater, and any scene featuring Dr Loboto). I think the positives outweigh the negatives here, and the writing is generally enjoyable, just not without its moments of annoyance.
On a similar note the gameplay is generally enjoyable in large part because exploring these worlds is so engaging, and the levitation ball is such a fun way of getting around that I literally never unequipped it from its item slot, but again there are annoyances; I had a handful of glitches and one incident of an awfully placed kill-plane throughout my playthrough, the controls never feel quite precise enough for some of the things you're asked to do, I can't think of any bosses in the game that I'd call good, and the early-game scraping together of arrowheads was a huge drag. Most of this is ultimately fine and easy enough to ignore as these levels really are enticing, but it all came crashing down with the game's conclusion for me; Meat Circus, and the parade of mediocre-at-best boss fights that surround it, is just a bad experience, and left a really sour taste in my mouth as the game's final note.
I can definitely see why this game is so beloved, it's incredibly creative and at its best very charming, but I also found it far from perfect in ways I struggle to ignore.
Persona 5 if it had good writing.
very stylish platformer that aged quite well
the only flaws i experienced is the occasional clunkyness
other than that amazing game
the only flaws i experienced is the occasional clunkyness
other than that amazing game
One of the most innovative and unique platformers I've played, I loved damn near every level in the game and the story and characters are some of my all time favorites. The only complaint I'd have is that finding figments can be annoying due to their translucency and/or their movement, plus some of the later levels can be a bit of a slog but otherwise it's one of my favorite platformers I've played in recent years
Wacky ass 3D platformer I love it. This game has some of the most creative levels in any platformer I've played, it's just insane. I only dock off half a point because The Point of No Return exists. Yeah you can glitch out of it but it's still reaaaally stupid that it exists lol
This game was such a joy to play, and considering I first played it in 2022, that opinion can't be accused of being driven by nostalgia bias.
The premise for the plot is original and the characters are likeable with considerable depth. I really felt myself rooting for Raz throughout. Each level is so ridiculously creative and unique, with significantly more hits than misses.
I really enjoyed hunting high and low for collectables in the camp hub world, the asylum hub not so much due to it's less-open design. Each power up made me reimagine how I approached exploring, however there were a couple that remained good as forgotten when I was finished with them in a specific task.
This game ticked a lot of boxes for me as a fan of platformers, collect-a-thons and colourful characters. I can't wait until the sequel becomes a lot cheaper so I can play that too.
The premise for the plot is original and the characters are likeable with considerable depth. I really felt myself rooting for Raz throughout. Each level is so ridiculously creative and unique, with significantly more hits than misses.
I really enjoyed hunting high and low for collectables in the camp hub world, the asylum hub not so much due to it's less-open design. Each power up made me reimagine how I approached exploring, however there were a couple that remained good as forgotten when I was finished with them in a specific task.
This game ticked a lot of boxes for me as a fan of platformers, collect-a-thons and colourful characters. I can't wait until the sequel becomes a lot cheaper so I can play that too.
Psychonauts is asking a lot from the player to be on board with its concept and goals. A level completely dedicated to a conspiracy mystery scavenger hunt on finding the "milkman" in a war between a group of girl scouts possessing cookie bombs and oddly item-specified detectives is enough evidence to back that sentiment up. And luckily for the most part, it works.
It does feel overbearing at times, which can translate into tedious or simply not fun gameplay with how deep it goes into a gimmick, and the overall structuring of events and mission set up is really odd, but Psychonauts takes a heavy risk and succeeds in providing a solid 3D platformer/collect-a-thon with a unique hook that stands it apart. Really invested now to see where Raz's journey goes next in Psychonauts 2.
It does feel overbearing at times, which can translate into tedious or simply not fun gameplay with how deep it goes into a gimmick, and the overall structuring of events and mission set up is really odd, but Psychonauts takes a heavy risk and succeeds in providing a solid 3D platformer/collect-a-thon with a unique hook that stands it apart. Really invested now to see where Raz's journey goes next in Psychonauts 2.
Wow. This game’s characters, tone, and art style really blew me away. The platforming leaves a little to be desired at times and some puzzle solutions are a bit too abstract, but literally everything else was flawless. The infamous final level isn’t as bad as people say, and the game’s humor is unique and feels ahead of its time.
yea it plays like a platformer made by point and click adventure foos.
ENG: Memorable aesthetics for a surprisingly mature story for what it seems at first glance. Carefully portrays mental health based on its mechanics rather than mocking it.
ESP: Estética memorable para una historia sorprendente madura para lo que parece en un primer vistazo. Retrata cuidadosamente la salud mental en base a sus mecánicas en vez de burlarse de ella.
ESP: Estética memorable para una historia sorprendente madura para lo que parece en un primer vistazo. Retrata cuidadosamente la salud mental en base a sus mecánicas en vez de burlarse de ella.
when the Lungfish went "AUUUUUGH" i felt that
GODDDDDDDDDDD its like everything Id want in a game, Tight puzzle 3D-platformer with cool themes, twisted character designs, creepy environments, neat small references, not too Random Tacos but has that aspect like Zim does, ages like a fine wine dated 2005 chef kiss
I played this game quiiiiiiite a bit, ever since Eurogamer made it their GOTY back in 2005 (and rightly so!). Played and replayed. It's not perfect, but thank goodness they've nerfed Meat Circus. Still need to properly play the sequel. I need to find the tiiiime.
This review contains spoilers
One of a kind 3D platformers back in the good old platformers days. Happen to purchase it recently from sales. The narration overall is fantastic, especially the mental worlds. Each levels are based on a certain character's mind. Environmental story telling, memory vaults, dialogue and the art direction creates a believable world.
Gameplay: Each psychic abilities are creative/fun in design. Levitation and Telekinesis are the useful PSI Powers. Combat are meh overall. Collecting stuff improves your PSI powers for each rank. Figments are cool to collect for drawing, but there's too many of them. Figments pretty hard to spot due to being 2D and bend in the background. There's still some flaws for the level design. Each mental worlds are distantly different from one another. Favorite levels are the Milkman Conspiracy and Lungfishopolis. Meat Circus has an annoying escort section among with a challenging platform part.
Small thoughts: Music is fine, certain tracks are annoying. Favorite characters are Sasha, Milla, Boyd, Raz, Lili, Mikhail (Russian guy) and Fort Cruller. Raz is the same voice as Zim from Invader Zim. Feels more align as Tim Burton, cartoons and the point & click LucasArts games. Hope Psychonauts 2 can deveiler as an long-waited sequel.
I'm the Milkman, my milk is delicious - Boyd Copper
"Pyschonauts is a better Balan Wonderland. Just play Pyschonauts" -SomecallmeJohnny
Gameplay: Each psychic abilities are creative/fun in design. Levitation and Telekinesis are the useful PSI Powers. Combat are meh overall. Collecting stuff improves your PSI powers for each rank. Figments are cool to collect for drawing, but there's too many of them. Figments pretty hard to spot due to being 2D and bend in the background. There's still some flaws for the level design. Each mental worlds are distantly different from one another. Favorite levels are the Milkman Conspiracy and Lungfishopolis. Meat Circus has an annoying escort section among with a challenging platform part.
Small thoughts: Music is fine, certain tracks are annoying. Favorite characters are Sasha, Milla, Boyd, Raz, Lili, Mikhail (Russian guy) and Fort Cruller. Raz is the same voice as Zim from Invader Zim. Feels more align as Tim Burton, cartoons and the point & click LucasArts games. Hope Psychonauts 2 can deveiler as an long-waited sequel.
I'm the Milkman, my milk is delicious - Boyd Copper
"Pyschonauts is a better Balan Wonderland. Just play Pyschonauts" -SomecallmeJohnny
The only reason I have an overall positive opinion on this game is because of the world, characters, and the art. I really like the world of Psychonauts. All that said, I did not particularly enjoy a lot of my time with the game mainly because of the platforming. The game peaks with levels like The Milkman Conspiracy that doesn't rely on platforming, and is at its lowest point with something like The Meat Circus which is a nightmare level from hell.
how could u rate it any lower? all time 3D platformer
it's occasionally got that adventure game brain and a few annoying moments but it's such a unique experience it's totally worth playing
So after 2, I went back to original Psychonauts and had an absolute blast.
It goes without saying that this is a much rougher game than 2. Part of that is budgetary, but part of it is that it's also 16 years old - game design has moved on a lot since 2005, it turns out, even in the relatively dead 3d platformer genre.
There's a lives system, which is weird and inconsistent. The difficulty curve is more like a difficulty heart rate. The Meat Circus sucks massive donkey dick. There's a point of no return, but if you only save in a single file, you can never exit the final mind, and there isn't a post-game revisit to the hub. Guess I'll never talk to the kids after handing back their minds. Oh well!
That's quibbly though. Psychonauts is wildly creative and has some levels that even 16 years on blew my socks clean off. Everyone recommends the Milkman Conspiracy, and that is a banger, but Waterloo is equally up there for me.
The writing is quippier than 2, and is packed full of easily missable jokes from optional interactions. Clairvoyance is still extremely funny.
A great time, all told, and still holds up surprisingly well - even if going back to its rough edges after 2's laser-precision design can be a bit of a shock. Highly recommend.
It goes without saying that this is a much rougher game than 2. Part of that is budgetary, but part of it is that it's also 16 years old - game design has moved on a lot since 2005, it turns out, even in the relatively dead 3d platformer genre.
There's a lives system, which is weird and inconsistent. The difficulty curve is more like a difficulty heart rate. The Meat Circus sucks massive donkey dick. There's a point of no return, but if you only save in a single file, you can never exit the final mind, and there isn't a post-game revisit to the hub. Guess I'll never talk to the kids after handing back their minds. Oh well!
That's quibbly though. Psychonauts is wildly creative and has some levels that even 16 years on blew my socks clean off. Everyone recommends the Milkman Conspiracy, and that is a banger, but Waterloo is equally up there for me.
The writing is quippier than 2, and is packed full of easily missable jokes from optional interactions. Clairvoyance is still extremely funny.
A great time, all told, and still holds up surprisingly well - even if going back to its rough edges after 2's laser-precision design can be a bit of a shock. Highly recommend.
This game is filled with an unbelievable amount of soul and charm
I loved the immediate and consistent theming around mental health, unsubtle as it is, perhaps even moreso bc of that
I can't dispute that it's clunky at times and
just straight up tedious at others (looking at you, Gloria's theater. And like. The entirety of the acrobatic section near the end holy shit) but it kinda burrowed its way into my mind in a way I wasn't completely expecting, loved this one a ton
I loved the immediate and consistent theming around mental health, unsubtle as it is, perhaps even moreso bc of that
I can't dispute that it's clunky at times and
just straight up tedious at others (looking at you, Gloria's theater. And like. The entirety of the acrobatic section near the end holy shit) but it kinda burrowed its way into my mind in a way I wasn't completely expecting, loved this one a ton
im in love with everything except when you had to grind for arrowheads
I believe it is more than fair to consider Psychonauts is now a definite cult classic.
Lucasfilm Games comedic veteran Tim Schafer launched his own company Double Fine back in 2000 and this game was immediately in the production pipeline, originally under the back of Microsoft out of all publishers, alas that would abruptly change amidst development.
Psychonauts is an outrageously creative platforming game that takes few inspirational cues from Rayman 2: The Great Escape, all while still being entirely it's own mindblasting specimen. You take the role of Razputin (Raz for short) who is a child circus acrobat with telekinetic powers that escapes his life on the road to be tutored further on his psychic powers in a designated summer camp for prodigious children like him, and is managed by special international secret agents. If that was not already weird enough, you are trained in the ways of the "Psychonaut", a specialist that can access the surreal and abstract mental worlds of other people to unlock their deepest secrets and reasoning for their erratic behavior.
The platforming controls are pretty solid and over time it unlocks more tools to make your journeys from point A to point B faster and more fun, and be it keyboard or controller it is a good ride to jump into.
Psychonauts may be a 3D platformer at most, but it still carries plenty of the DNA from Lucasfilm/LucasArts point-n-click adventures, the game has a lot of dialog on each character and they can give you different answers depending on the kinds of questions you make and even the actions you perform around or onto them. All this and considering the writing is nothing short of phenomenal.
Psychonauts always deserved far better attention and sales from its launch in 2005, and if anything I believe it has solidified its reputation these days especially with the starry sequel it finally got just 2 years ago.
You definitely must play this one.
Lucasfilm Games comedic veteran Tim Schafer launched his own company Double Fine back in 2000 and this game was immediately in the production pipeline, originally under the back of Microsoft out of all publishers, alas that would abruptly change amidst development.
Psychonauts is an outrageously creative platforming game that takes few inspirational cues from Rayman 2: The Great Escape, all while still being entirely it's own mindblasting specimen. You take the role of Razputin (Raz for short) who is a child circus acrobat with telekinetic powers that escapes his life on the road to be tutored further on his psychic powers in a designated summer camp for prodigious children like him, and is managed by special international secret agents. If that was not already weird enough, you are trained in the ways of the "Psychonaut", a specialist that can access the surreal and abstract mental worlds of other people to unlock their deepest secrets and reasoning for their erratic behavior.
The platforming controls are pretty solid and over time it unlocks more tools to make your journeys from point A to point B faster and more fun, and be it keyboard or controller it is a good ride to jump into.
Psychonauts may be a 3D platformer at most, but it still carries plenty of the DNA from Lucasfilm/LucasArts point-n-click adventures, the game has a lot of dialog on each character and they can give you different answers depending on the kinds of questions you make and even the actions you perform around or onto them. All this and considering the writing is nothing short of phenomenal.
Psychonauts always deserved far better attention and sales from its launch in 2005, and if anything I believe it has solidified its reputation these days especially with the starry sequel it finally got just 2 years ago.
You definitely must play this one.
It may feel like you're always fighting the environment with the camera, and the level design isn't quite as clear as it probably should be but it's made up for by fun characters and writing, along with some really creative ideas.
this happened to my buddy eric
it feels like theu wanted to make a point and click but decided to make it a platformer last minute so you end up with a game where everything except actually playing it is fantastic but the actual gameplay is so painfully mediocre
it feels like theu wanted to make a point and click but decided to make it a platformer last minute so you end up with a game where everything except actually playing it is fantastic but the actual gameplay is so painfully mediocre
Give me more games that start in a hub area and then take you through a kaleidoscope of wildly inventive worlds as different from one another as colors on a rainbow. Do that, and then give it fantastic writing and voice acting too. Pump that shit directly in my veins. One of the ass veins if you have to, if that makes it go into my system faster. I’m a grown man, I can take it.
I wrote a short story that I didn't realize until ten years later was a blatant ripoff of the milkman stage.
I wrote a short story that I didn't realize until ten years later was a blatant ripoff of the milkman stage.
Very fun and unique 3D platformer, a genre that I feel like I haven't played all too many of over the last, like, decade.
The extra collectibles aren't a chore to get (except for the figments i ain't doin all that), and each merit badge power or however they were called have their own special uses that are fun to experiment with.
Just about 15 hours of some pretty good platforming, and a lotta funny moments, absolutely wasn't expecting to laugh so much at a 2005 PS2 game. For all your hard work, you, too, can bear witness to Razputin's awful haircut jesus christ please let him keep the helmet on
very cool game, excited to play the sequel at some point in the future possibly, 10/10
The extra collectibles aren't a chore to get (except for the figments i ain't doin all that), and each merit badge power or however they were called have their own special uses that are fun to experiment with.
Just about 15 hours of some pretty good platforming, and a lotta funny moments, absolutely wasn't expecting to laugh so much at a 2005 PS2 game. For all your hard work, you, too, can bear witness to Razputin's awful haircut jesus christ please let him keep the helmet on
very cool game, excited to play the sequel at some point in the future possibly, 10/10
I'm obsessed what can I say, literally full of creativity, video game rarely gets me this invested in its story.
PsychoNauts' narrative includes various depictions of mental illness, childhood trauma, and has a comedic tone throughout. Yet somehow it never once feels like its punching down, the focus on healing and accepting these flaws of yourself is something the game maintains throughout the entire experience. It really is inspiring
i can't remember the last time a game has made me laugh this hard. even without getting into anything else, the insane humor/dialogue and the voiceover that goes along with it is nothing short of stellar - even the concept of stages like milkman conspiracy and the meat circus is insane. like, what did they have to do to come up with any of this shit? god damn i cant believe i put this game off for six years
even though most stages are pretty straightforward and i didn't see much incentive in collecting everything in each stage, i think there was only one that i outright hated. puzzles were fun (if not a bit simple sometimes), and stuff like the napoleon level is super creative.
sure, it's not perfect. i really didn't like the combat, but that's probably more of an issue with me being a dumbass than the game itself. also the perspective on some of the platforming (jumping onto trapezes in particular) is a bit borked, but there was only one real point where i was like. ok fuck this.
also this is a personal gripe and i know nobody's gonna agree with me but. i'm not a fan of the artstyle at all, just cause i've personally never been a fan of stuff that looks gross on purpose. it's iconic, it's definitely unique, but i just didn't vibe with it. definitely adds to the overall aesthetic tough.
s'good game overall, been a while since i played a 3D platformer that was this fun. fuck that bunny though
even though most stages are pretty straightforward and i didn't see much incentive in collecting everything in each stage, i think there was only one that i outright hated. puzzles were fun (if not a bit simple sometimes), and stuff like the napoleon level is super creative.
sure, it's not perfect. i really didn't like the combat, but that's probably more of an issue with me being a dumbass than the game itself. also the perspective on some of the platforming (jumping onto trapezes in particular) is a bit borked, but there was only one real point where i was like. ok fuck this.
also this is a personal gripe and i know nobody's gonna agree with me but. i'm not a fan of the artstyle at all, just cause i've personally never been a fan of stuff that looks gross on purpose. it's iconic, it's definitely unique, but i just didn't vibe with it. definitely adds to the overall aesthetic tough.
s'good game overall, been a while since i played a 3D platformer that was this fun. fuck that bunny though