“Psychonauts 2” Is Everything You Need From A 3D Platformer
Is there anything more satisfying than a comeback story. Psychonauts 2 emerged in August 2021 from the abyss 16 years after its predecessor. This is not counting the 2017 VR game Rhombus of Ruin. To everyone’s surprise, it exceeded all expectations.
The series follows Razputin Aquato’s adventures. He is a young psychic from a circus family and dreams of becoming a member of the Psychonauts, a secret agent team with psychic abilities. The long-awaited sequel features Raz joining the team as an intern. He soon finds himself in a grand mission to stop a mole from killing Maligula, a murderous villain.
The concept of Psychonauts is amazing. This latest installment adds additional touches that make it even better. Raz and the other agents use Psycho-Portals to access people’s minds. This allows them to solve problems or uncover hidden secrets. Each mind you look into has its own level of imagination, depending on the backstory, personality, and problems of the person you are looking into. They are totally different in design and play-style. One minute you might be starring in a cooking program hosted by a group of hand puppets, the next you could be terrorising a city full of germs inside a bowling shoe.
This simple premise opens up so many possibilities for creativity while remaining coherent. It is difficult to create a platforming title with varied and interesting levels that feels cohesive. Even though it may be fun, it can feel strange to jump from an icy landscape to a barren desert area without any explanation. Super Mario Odyssey is one of the few games that manages this feat. Psychonauts2‘s unique levels make sense when you consider that they are all different people’s minds. This makes it really immersive.
Another feature that distinguishes Psychonauts2 from other 3D platforming games is the emphasis on story. Each level is connected to the main plot in some way. Every character’s mind holds some significance. It’s a great way to continue the story and have conversations with the cast as you explore the depths of your subconscious. Although the story is not as engaging and rich in twists and turns as The Last of Us it’s certainly entertaining and far more than your typical 3D platformer.
The game’s story is a joy to read. Every character you meet is worth speaking to and the small bits of conversation you hear while roaming the hub-world are a joy. Even the enemies in the mindscapes are appropriately named. These include the sleazy Doubts and annoying Regrets as well as the rapidly moving Panic Attacks. While they might not be as dangerous as their real-life counterparts, they will give you a lot of money.
Psychonauts2 does a great job of restoring that pure joy everyone associates with their childhood gaming experiences. It’s obvious that the developers and writers enjoyed creating this game. It’s a game you can’t help but smile at every turn. This is a game that shows how 3D platforming can still lead to new avenues of development, 25 years after Super Mario 64.
This article is part of a series that examines outstanding games in a particular genre and explores what makes them different from their peers. Continue reading: It takes two, Splatoon and Hades, Sable, and Life is Strange: True Colors. Follow @NerdyJourno to follow the author.
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