Psychonauts

PsychoNaughty

This game has so much soul. Mechanically speaking, it can be a bit rough around the edges. The platforming generally controls well and feels good, but sometimes the camera makes baffling choices, or certain jumps bug out. I swear some inputs don’t register at times, and there were a few instances where I had to reload a save because I got stuck in geometry just by playing normally. That said, the level design is incredible. At least thematically, every single stage is rich in themes and subtext, always finding ways to surprise you. I didn’t always enjoy the puzzle elements (especially the many “get this item and take it there” moments), but they do add personality and make you feel clever. As I said, the platforming is enjoyable, but I felt it didn’t get to shine as much as it could. Maybe because it wasn’t as polished as it needed to be, or maybe because the devs didn’t want it to be the sole focus. After all, the game features more puzzle-solving and combat than I expected. I liked all the different abilities tied to the psychic theme, and unlocking them always felt exciting. That said, I found it strange how they unlock on the side, almost optionally, but end up being mandatory to progress. The final section of the Milkman stage had me stuck for a while because I didn’t realize I needed to go back to HQ to unlock a new ability in order to continue. All these small faults are easy to overlook when taking the whole package into account. The presentation really elevates the experience a lot: the unique art style, the high-quality voice acting, the perfectly executed humor, the well-realized themes, the memorable character design. All of it works so well that it kept me hooked until the end. There’s something truly unique about this game’s presentation that makes it instantly charming and memorable. The idea of levels built around a single character’s psyche opens the door to so many crazy settings and unique situations. The small details scattered throughout each scenario, full of nuance and creativity, tell little stories that give you something to think about. Many of the themes resonated with me, at least on some level. The humorous tone may distract you from the fact that Psychonauts touches on many delicate and relatable subjects. All in all, as rough as this game can be, it’s absolutely worth experiencing today. The art style is timeless, as are its humor and themes. And beyond that excellent presentation, you’ll find a perfectly solid 3D platformer full of great ideas. A classic for a reason.