Psychonauts 2 review
Our Verdict
Double Fine Productions' long-awaited Psychonauts 2 is finally here, jumping straight in where the original game left off 16 years ago.
For
- Fun gameplay and level design
- Entertaining cutscenes
- Lovable characters
Against
- Slightly inconsistent story pacing
Tom's Guide Verdict
Double Fine Productions' long-awaited Psychonauts 2 is finally hither, jumping straight in where the original game left off 16 years ago.
Pros
- +
Fun gameplay and level design
- +
Entertaining cutscenes
- +
Lovable characters
Cons
- -
Slightly inconsistent story pacing
We've had to wait 16 years to finally become our hands on Psychonauts two, and it'due south been quite the examination of our patience. The good news is that although the time gap between the original 2005 cult classic and Psychonauts 2 accounts for roughly 70% of my entire beingness, I can assure you that the sequel is well worth the await. Considering that Xbox Game Plus members will exist able to access the full game from day 1, I can't recommend it enough.
In our Psychonauts two review below, nosotros highlight how the long-awaited sequel successfully builds on everything we loved about the original, including the quirky, lovable characters and unique gameplay. While we did find some parts of the story to be a tad drawn-out, overall, both the plot and gameplay of Psychonauts 2 were hilarious and mind-bravado. And non to worry - we've made sure that this review is absolutely spoiler-free.
Psychonauts 2 review: Gameplay
Psychonauts 2 is a platformer in which you play as Razputin (or Raz), a young boy who comes from a family of acrobats, and dreams of joining the titular all-psychic spy agency.
Throughout his run a risk, you'll have Raz'south armory of psychic powers at your disposal, supplying you with everything you lot need to overcome diverse puzzles and challenges. Raz'due south abilities include those from the previous game, such as Levitation, Telekinesis and Pyrokinesis, equally well as some exciting new reality-angle powers. Y'all can also conform these abilities to better adjust your playstyle as you rank up and purchase new upgrades from the game's merchant.
I completed the game on PC using a mouse and keyboard, and found that the default key bindings for Raz's powers (Q, R and Due east) were a bit clunky to use. For this reason, using a controller may be the best choice.
Psychonauts 2 review: Environments
What excited me the nigh nearly Psychonauts 2 was how everything nigh the game just oozes creativity. Straight from the starting screen, this sequel continuously pushes the boundaries of gaming with artistic level blueprint.
Much of Psychonauts 2 takes identify within the heads of other characters. You infiltrate their subconscious minds in an endeavor to unravel the mysteries surrounding the game's plot. Just equally no two minds are the same, no two levels are ever the same, either. Each environs likewise features unique visual and audio blueprint, inspired by an aspect of the host's personality.
Yous can expect to exist on your toes throughout the 13 hours of gameplay, as you boxing the inner demons and deepest fears of your boyfriend Psychonauts. While some minds announced to be adequately straightforward, others hide terrible regrets, traumatic pasts and deep-rooted issues that manifest themselves in the form of enemies that you need to defeat.
If you're the completionist type, then y'all'll be glad to hear that every possible level in Psychonauts two features hundreds of 'Figments of Imagination' to collect, as well as hidden secrets for yous to explore. And even once you're done with the story, you lot're costless to roam the Psychonauts HQ to finish off any side quests, or replay each level and pick upwardly anything y'all missed the first time round.
Psychonauts 2 review: Plot
Despite the prolonged time menstruum between the release of the two Psychonauts installments, the plot of Psychonauts 2 picks upward nigh immediately where the original game (and its VR spinoff, Rhombus of Ruin) left off. Still, don't permit this scare you lot away if you oasis't played the 2005 cult classic. I first played Psychonauts nigh 15 years agone on the PlayStation 2, so my memory of the original game was a bit fuzzy. Yet, the developers provided an extensive epitomize of the previous game as soon as you launch Psychonauts two.
At the end of the kickoff game, Raz and the squad rescue the Grand Caput of the Psychonauts, Truman Zanotto, from the clutches of the evil Dr. Loboto. You can await to come across some appearances from the original game'southward most prominent characters, including Jitney Oleander, Amanuensis Sasha Nein and Agent Milla Vodello, as well as Raz'southward love interest, Lili. Psychonauts 2 also introduces a number of new characters with tragic backstories that are bound to tug on your heartstrings.
As with any good story, there are some twists and turns forth the mode. Without spoiling annihilation else, y'all'll be glad to hear that in terms of content and character development, the balance of the story is fantastic: often emotional and never monotonous.
The game's fine art mode and age rating might requite the impression that Psychonauts 2 is a game for children. However, the developers sneaked some double entendres into the script for more mature audiences to enjoy. This seems like the right call, considering that children who played the original game in 2005 are now approaching their mid-twenties and thirties.
Similarly, improved graphics and some quality-of-life gameplay changes aren't the merely examples of progress that Psychonauts has made since 2005. I was personally glad to see that the developer Double Fine Productions incorporated themes such every bit mental health and LGBTQ+ representation into the game's story.
Nonetheless, one of the only flaws that I found in Psychonauts two is that the pacing slows down toward the middle of the game. This makes it a chip of a hassle to power through several fetch-and-go quests in quick succession. It's a letdown, after such an exciting start to the story.
Psychonauts ii review: Verdict
All in all, Psychonauts 2 is both a worthy sequel to its predecessor, and a bully game on its own merits. It also presents an opportunity for a whole new generation of gamers to fall in love with Psychonauts' lovable characters and unique gameplay.
Although the pacing of the plot is inconsistent towards the middle of the game, the overall story is an emotional journey, chock full of trauma, redemption and graphic symbol growth. Let's just hope that if we ever get a 3rd installment, it doesn't accept nearly as long to develop.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/psychonauts-2
Posted by: meadowsluch1979.blogspot.com
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