Psychonauts was good, especially for a platformer from its time. I enjoyed my time with it and would highly recommend it to any lovers of the genre. With that being said, Psychonauts 2 was literally perfection. I was absolutely blown away when I started the game and was grinning ear to ear all the way to the end. This is one of my absolute favorite genres, and Psychonauts 2 was the perfect way to start my year.
Raz Aquato
The biggest improvement from the first title is definitely this game’s character development. Naturally with it being released 16 years later, Psychonauts 2 has better graphics and performs significantly better than the first game. For me though, the standout improvement here is the deeper insight that the game provides to Raz and his family. Without spoiling anything, it is a wholesome experience watching Raz’s family come to terms with him being a psychic. His family isn’t perfect, no one’s is, but they truly care about him and that shows.
As far as Raz goes, you can expect his typical childish charm. He’s still laughing at his own jokes, one-upping everyone with his psychic abilities and somehow saving the adults around him from danger again. Without a doubt, Raz makes Psychonauts what it is for me. He is such a likeable character and the world of Psychonauts suits him so well. I am hopeful that we will see more from him in the future.
When he arrives at the Motherlobe, this game’s hub world, he is instantly stripped of his Psychonaut title and named an intern. Within the intern program, gaining ranks works the same as in the first game. This demotion doesn’t discourage Raz from his dream of becoming a Psychonaut, it just motivates him to prove himself all over again. It also allows the game to be digestible to both newcomers and fans of the series alike.
Platform Away
Everything I loved about Psychonauts is back in full force and that includes its collect-a-thon aspects. You’ve got reoccurring collectibles here like Psi Cards and Figments but there are also some new additions like Half-A-Minds and Nuggets of Wisdom. No matter where you are in the world, there will be plenty to collect. Each object will reward you with something too, and I had such a good time hunting every single thing down. I am proud to say that I earned the platinum trophy for this game.
From the moment I moved Raz, I actually teared up a bit. He felt smoother and his movements were crystal clear. Not only was this easier on the eyes, it also helped tremendously when judging platforming moments. The improved framerate, graphics and overall presentation of the game will certainly make going back to the first one difficult. I fell in love with this game the moment I turned it on and I never grew tired of simply running around as Raz. This really is a platformer that feels good in your hands and that’s exactly how platformers should be.
Psi Powers Activate!
Most of the Psi Powers from the first game return with the exception of Invisibility, Shield and Confusion. In their place are newly added abilities: Mental Connection, Time Bubble and Mental Projection. I felt like the game worked better with these new powers and I didn’t find myself missing the older ones all too much. With the improved combat, almost every power had its place on the battlefield and figuring out what worked best for me was really exciting. Even abilities like Mental Connection which is mainly used for traversal, could be used to yank enemies toward you. I enjoyed that every power felt versatile and that there were really no wrong answers in how you used them.
Combat is so much smoother in this title allowing you to dodge, let out Psi Powers as you see fit and control the flow of battle better. The first game’s combat definitely felt stiffer but here it feels amazing. I appreciated the care they took to improve it too because it really is a selling point for this game. Granted this title is no fighting game, but you won’t have any problems Psi Blasting enemies and then setting them on fire with Pyrokinesis if you want to. While those enemies are in fire, you can focus on the other enemies.
New enemy types present new combat challenges which really kept things from getting stale. Each new enemy had a weakness or a gimmick to dispose of them quicker, keeping me on my toes. Some were weaker to fire while others were more susceptible to ranged attacks. You can even rip weapons and shields out of enemy hands with Telekinesis and throw it back at them. The options and combinations here are honestly astounding compared to the first entry.
Psychonaut Business
This wouldn’t be a Psychonauts game if Raz didn’t have to save everyone from danger. Along the way, in typical Psychonauts fashion, you’ll be jumping into the minds of other people to help sort out their problems. Really, you’re saving them from themselves so they can ultimately help you save the world. This time though, the story feels a lot more grounded, as you visit the minds of each of the original Psychonauts and uncover their secrets. As you explore their minds you also gain a better understanding of the individual, providing storytelling through gameplay.
One of my favorite things about this franchise is just how different each character feels. This game is bursting with personality and there isn’t a character here that I didn’t fall in love with. The franchise’s signature humor is back as well, really showcasing the writers’ talents. They know the characters they are writing for and thanks to their hard work, so does the player. As you journey through the world of Psychonauts 2, take your time and really appreciate all of the quirks and charm in this game. Explore everything, talk to everyone and try crazy things to reach new heights.
Mental Health In Video Games
The more video games I play, the more I come across ones that actually dare to address mental illness. Few attempt it and even fewer succeed but Psychonauts 2 handles its approach beautifully. As I mentioned in my piece about the first game, there is something so cathartic about bringing these individuals mental peace and I think this entry portrays that much better than the first. Psychonauts 2 actually put me in situations where I was fighting panic attacks as enemies, really putting a spotlight on what it can feel like to go through one. Although it is all in good fun, I think a lot can be learned from this game when it comes to mental health.
It is too bad that we can’t just jump into our own minds and sort things out the way that we need to. It sure is wonderful to do that in a video game, though. While that may not help us with our personal problems, I think it’s wonderful that this game doesn’t shy away from the truths surrounding mental illness. Whether you are a victim of it yourself or know someone who is, I think we can all benefit from more games like this one.
