Sequels and reboots are prevalent in both film and gaming. While some film sequels can be disappointing, others elevate the original, enhancing its best qualities. For example, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Spider-Man 2 are often considered superior to their predecessors. In 2005, Psychonauts, a unique puzzle-platform-3D-game, introduced us to Raz, a young trainee aspiring to become a Psychonaut. These individuals possess the extraordinary ability to delve into the minds of others, uncovering hidden truths and confronting inner demons. The game’s premise was both engaging and innovative. After its initial release, it garnered a dedicated following on the original Xbox. Now, 16 years later, its sequel, aptly named Psychonauts 2, has arrived. We will assess whether it lives up to the original or falls victim to the “sequel curse.”
Raz continues his journey to become a fully realized Psychonaut, facing numerous challenges along the way. A potential conspiracy unfolds within the Psychonauts organization, placing everyone in danger. Raz must uncover the truth and prevent impending disaster.
Prior to playing the sequel, I revisited the original Psychonauts to refresh my understanding of the core mechanics and narrative. Both games are available through Xbox Game Pass, with the original accessible via backwards compatibility. After spending a few hours with the original, I found myself thoroughly re-engaged, almost reluctant to switch to Psychonauts 2 for testing purposes.
Upon launching Psychonauts 2, the experience immediately felt familiar, retaining the original’s distinctive humor, artistic style, and control scheme. The key updates include high-resolution graphics and a widescreen presentation. The original voice actor also returns to reprise the role of Raz. In many respects, it feels as though time has stood still, and this is largely a positive attribute.
Psychonauts 2 introduces new abilities while retaining the core gameplay loop: collecting “Figments of imagination” to upgrade powers. Players can also acquire perks at various kiosks. The writing is clever and entertaining, with fully voiced characters. The game largely refines and updates the presentation of the original. However, some familiar issues persist: the controls can occasionally feel imprecise, and judging jump distances can be challenging. One particular annoyance is the repetition of dialogue after respawning at a checkpoint. While cutscenes are skippable, certain in-game conversations replay repeatedly after each death, which can become frustrating. Many modern games avoid this issue by preventing such dialogue from replaying, acknowledging its potential to disrupt the player experience.
In conclusion, Psychonauts 2 earns a high rating due to its inventive narrative and engaging gameplay. While minor flaws prevent it from achieving “must-have” status, it still merits a strong recommendation. I encourage players to revisit the Psychonauts universe, or to experience it for the first time.
