psychonauts 2 review a journey into imagination

#PSYCHONAUTS 2 REVIEW A JOURNEY INTO IMAGINATION SERIES#

#PSYCHONAUTS 2 REVIEW A JOURNEY INTO IMAGINATION SERIES#

A sequel to Psychonauts was hotly anticipated by fans, but as time dragged on, the possibility of one materializing seemed fainter, and the potential for a sequel to fill the shoes of its predecessor became simultaneously greater and more daunting a task in which to succeed, especially given developer Doublefine’s series of ups and downs with its releases in the intervening years. The result was a unique twist of classic Americana and adventure that indelibly imprinted itself into the memories of anybody who played it rather fitting considering the game’s themes. Psychonauts was a hugely imaginative title in 2005, and while its gameplay may not have necessarily been revolutionary, it was revered for its strong storytelling, lively characters, incredibly imaginative environments, and its unmistakably distinct and bold style that borrowed heavily from an eclectic set of influences and themes like 1960s spy thrillers, Burton-esque art direction, and childhood summer camp stories. I have fond memories of traipsing about the first Psychonauts‘ trippy mindscapes as Razputin Aquato, budding young misfit adventurer and Psychonaut-to-be, collecting endless figments, exploring bizarre locales that feel ripped directly from the bizarre imaginations of its creators, and utilizing the myriad psychokinetic powers Raz had at his disposal to engage in some serious platforming and mystery solving all in service of thwarting an evil plot to exploit the very Psychonaut agents whose creed it was to protect the world from psychic terrorism. Enter Psychonauts 2, the long-rumored, highly desired but largely mythical (until recently) follow up to the cult classic original released in 2005. Modern classics are made regularly, old favorites are being revived and resuscitated through emulation or remasters, top to bottom remakes of landmark games are becoming more commonplace, and beloved fan favorites are getting the sequels they grossly deserve.

If the Golden Age of Gaming has already passed us by, then we are surely experiencing a renaissance now, in which the possibilities for turning ideas into playable reality are nearly limitless in scope.

Psychonauts 2 review a journey into imagination