Psychonauts

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 786 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 661 out of 786
  2. Mixed: 89 out of 786
  3. Negative: 36 out of 786
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  1. jim109109
    Jun 26, 2012
    7
    Psychonauts is a good game, and like many good things, it is extremely overrated. This is not a revolutionary game, nor is it a must have. It's not even "great". There are some great elements in it, like the story, the atmosphere, the dialogue, the level ideas, the humor, which are all clearly brilliant and inspired. In fact, it's amazing and better than most games. Where the game fallsPsychonauts is a good game, and like many good things, it is extremely overrated. This is not a revolutionary game, nor is it a must have. It's not even "great". There are some great elements in it, like the story, the atmosphere, the dialogue, the level ideas, the humor, which are all clearly brilliant and inspired. In fact, it's amazing and better than most games. Where the game falls short is the actual gameplay. For a 3D platformer, the game is far from fun to play. The levels are sometimes long, and not very exciting, and the main excitement is walking around trying to figure out what to do next, without much in the way of action. It's great but not really made by someone who understands video games, but still an intelligent game.… Expand
  2. GolovA
    Sep 19, 2016
    6
    First half of the game is pretty awesome - Engaging story, marvelous voice-acting, lovable characters, good spirited humor, some variation to the 3rd person jumpy in using puzzle solving, etc.

    But the entire second half of it is completely ruined by terrible camera angling (especially during second half of the game, where level design is too tight for this style of game), almost    First half of the game is pretty awesome - Engaging story, marvelous voice-acting, lovable characters, good spirited humor, some variation to the 3rd person jumpy in using puzzle solving, etc.

    But the entire second half of it is completely ruined by terrible camera angling (especially during second half of the game, where level design is too tight for this style of game), almost non-existent surface snapping (sticking to ropes, or especially jumping onto and grabbing poles), and oh-such a torturous level design - it's like this game was made by a sadist as a gift for a masochist!

    Frustrating beyond the tolerance of my nerves.
    Nice try but Stay on Consoles, Psychonauts.    … Expand
  3. EricE.
    Jan 14, 2008
    7
    Fun little game if you enjoy old school adventure games. However I found the controls to be VERY annoying. I fought the controls of the game a lot. Definately was a conversion of a console game and it didn't convert that well.
  4. ChoicestGames
    Jul 4, 2022
    7
    Psychonauts is a weird, wacky platformer with a zany, but appealing art style. It's a game that was ahead of its time and yet its clunky interface reminds you that this is a game from 2005 that's basically a Tim Schafer point 'n' click adventure in platformer clothing. If the game weren't a platformer Psychonauts would have been a much more enjoyable experience for me, but the infuriatingPsychonauts is a weird, wacky platformer with a zany, but appealing art style. It's a game that was ahead of its time and yet its clunky interface reminds you that this is a game from 2005 that's basically a Tim Schafer point 'n' click adventure in platformer clothing. If the game weren't a platformer Psychonauts would have been a much more enjoyable experience for me, but the infuriating jumping puzzles and the huge difficulty spike on the last level prevents it from receiving a higher score.… Expand
  5. TheYeIIowDucK
    Nov 11, 2011
    7
    A below-average 3D platformer with great atmosphere, art style, plot, characters and right about everything else. There is literally no reason for anyone not to buy this game, especially for the low price it's being sold for these days. Don't be afraid of paying the required 10$, for I can assure you it'll be worth it.
  6. kingzardoz
    Aug 20, 2010
    6
    If you have played Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fadingo, or Full Throttle you will be overcome with feelings of nostalgia when playing Psychonauts. The story, how the characters are presented, and puzzles in the game all share similarities to these other games developed by Tim Schafer. I loved those games so I wanted to love Psychonauts but I just couldn't. There are so many creativeIf you have played Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fadingo, or Full Throttle you will be overcome with feelings of nostalgia when playing Psychonauts. The story, how the characters are presented, and puzzles in the game all share similarities to these other games developed by Tim Schafer. I loved those games so I wanted to love Psychonauts but I just couldn't. There are so many creative environments and interesting level ideas woven into the story but almost every chapter of the game overstays its welcome or leans on one gameplay mechanic too much. Take for example the awesome idea of the Milkman Conspiracy chapter where you have to find and free this mysterious Milkman under the surveillance of these lemming-like CIA characters. By wearing disguises you find in CIA cars you progress through the spooky and silly neighborhood that appears to be warping and folding in on itself. The disguise part is fun but it goes on for the whole chapter with no other gameplay mechanics introduced until you get to the boss battle, which has to be the most boring boss in the game. This chapter is just another example of one cool idea stretched too thin. The disguise thing just gets old quickly and there is nothing else to take its place except the usual collecting things and exploring the level.

    What this game really seems to be is a 2d game designer who is having trouble adapting to the requirements of 3d platforming. The platforming suffers at the hand of person who only cares about presenting weird ideas, levels, and characters. If you played Brutal Legend you will also recognize the stiff and awkward controls in this game. The challenge of Psychonauts doesn't rest in combating enemies but rather in combating the stiff controls. If I had to sum this game up in one broken sentence it would be, boring and stiff combat with creative level and character design.

    All negative things aside this game is creative and its impossible to not notice the unique vision the Pyschonauts universe provides. Sometimes the use of items in the game can be fun for example in the Matador level you use paintings you collect like ladders, vines, guitars, doors, and windows to more easily move around the level. The characters are fun and the writing is decent but the tedium that sets at some point in every chapter really kills this game.    … Expand
  7. mrnice
    Nov 7, 2012
    6
    Everyone's right about this game. Yes, the concept and art is outstanding and exciting. Yes, the game has a lot of funny gameplay balanced between adventure-like exploration, puzzles and platforming action. I'd say the game is 23% exploration, 15% logical problems (how to beat boss, how to solve a situation and progress), 32% platforming, and 30% action. Personally I'd like more focus onEveryone's right about this game. Yes, the concept and art is outstanding and exciting. Yes, the game has a lot of funny gameplay balanced between adventure-like exploration, puzzles and platforming action. I'd say the game is 23% exploration, 15% logical problems (how to beat boss, how to solve a situation and progress), 32% platforming, and 30% action. Personally I'd like more focus on adventure and puzzle parts less on action, and a more forgiving approach to the platforming. I'd also expect more of the fun writing spread into the actual gameplay sections rather than cutscenes. Most of the time, you'll play it like any other 3d platformer and the cutscenes are where all the dialogue and writing have been put. It's a good game, and six out of ten is above average. It's just not a brilliant GAME as such, more like an above average action platformer presented and packaged in a brilliant concept and design. I highly recommend you to check it out, but more for the concept ideas than for the actual gameplay. Plus, only a small amount of people make it through the last level, so if you want to get the full experience, you might be disappointed and might have to watch the ending on Youtube (like I did). The current User Score is 9.2/10, which means something like "close to perfect masterpiece". I think it's a 8/10 at most, and a 6/10 if you want to really just see it for what it is rather than what it looks like.… Expand
  8. MarcG.
    May 9, 2005
    5
    Not really much more than eye candy movement/camera stinks. As for looks this game is great but I am tired of these games that do not allow proper control with keyboard and mouse. If you are going to put it out for PC then get the controls right.
  9. iAMsoBEAST1
    Aug 25, 2012
    6
    Very fun game and story with a great story all up to the point where you need to get the item to clean up spider webs from peoples minds. The fact that you had to get such a ridiculous amount of arrow heads just killed the game for me and that's where I stopped playing.
  10. Greenball10
    Jul 23, 2012
    6
    It's a good game! I personally wouldn't play it for hours upon hours every day, but it's got a GREAT Story. You go into other people's minds, trying to become a Psychonaut. You are basically at a camp, and there are also bullies who do appear quite often in the story, and you also befriend a few people! I'd recommend it if you're up for a good story, but if you're one of those people whoIt's a good game! I personally wouldn't play it for hours upon hours every day, but it's got a GREAT Story. You go into other people's minds, trying to become a Psychonaut. You are basically at a camp, and there are also bullies who do appear quite often in the story, and you also befriend a few people! I'd recommend it if you're up for a good story, but if you're one of those people who only likes shooters...don't get it.… Expand
  11. AWG
    Jun 29, 2013
    5
    What is this game supposed to be? A platformer, an adventure, what? I couldn't tell. Psychonauts tries way too much to be funny and clever but it's just chaotic. Gameplay could be good but the number of useless, interrupting, irritating cutscenes is over 9000. Never again.
  12. diwolf
    Aug 12, 2013
    5
    I did not finish the game due to the bad controls playing via PC. I think the programmer were overextended with the 3D settings Besides that, the graphics were mediocre, Story and sound were ok.
  13. UsernameIThink
    Mar 10, 2018
    7
    Psychonauts is a great game, and I only give it a mixed review because I'm reviewing it by 2018 standards. The gameplay is quite varied with platforming, fighting, solving puzzles, and looking for secrets and collectibles. The platforming by itself is nothing special, but once you unlock a telekinesis ability (which feels incredibly satisfying to use), you have the movement options toPsychonauts is a great game, and I only give it a mixed review because I'm reviewing it by 2018 standards. The gameplay is quite varied with platforming, fighting, solving puzzles, and looking for secrets and collectibles. The platforming by itself is nothing special, but once you unlock a telekinesis ability (which feels incredibly satisfying to use), you have the movement options to quickly bypass a lot of it. As many people have said but also exaggerated, the camera is a bit clunky sometimes. What's actually worse is a clunky menu that you have to navigate a lot. The story is about a psychic who runs away from home to a psychic summer camp in the hope of becoming a psychic secret agent, or a Psychonaut. It's a kids' game and follows a very cartoonish logic while also managing to be surprisingly captivating, funny, and even somewhat mature at times. The first third of the games actually turns out to be a glorified tutorial for the last two, as the main character is suddenly forced to go into the minds of a monster and insane asylum patients. Most of the games' levels are based around going into peoples' heads and, in the second two thirds, fixing their problems. Each of the minds has its own unique art design, quirks, and story to tell that reflects the person's psyche. The game never feels dull, and its interesting aspects expertly disguise what is actually some pretty mediocre gameplay. It's a bit difficult to talk about the game without seeing it in parts. The first third of the game is fairly linear and mostly involves platforming and simple combat, as well as unlocking most of your psychic abilities. This leads to what I found to be the game's main problem. Once you reach a level known as The Milkman Conspiracy, you're unexpectedly forced into puzzles without knowing about it and into a progression wall. There is an ability you need to unlock by finding collectibles, as well as an expensive item that the game doesn't tell you that you'll need to progress. Once you start to understand how the game works after this point and overcome this wall, it becomes dramatically more fun and easy to figure out what to do and use your psychic powers in interesting contexts, such as using telekinesis to move pieces on a board game or using clairvoyance to see yourself through a character that can see in the dark. Even around the end, the game is not very difficult, but it's at least not brainlessly easy. The game lasts 13-14 hours, and for its current $10 price, it's easily worth a buy.… Expand
  14. Steide56
    Aug 28, 2017
    7
    uhhhh boy this game didnt age well... I played this game on recommendation as it is supposed to be one of the most funny and creative games ever made, and it is! BUT! The gameplay is very lackluster. The platforming is floaty and imprecise, all the side-missions are basically just collect a bunch of stuff with barely any use and there are loading screens every 5 f-ing feet. Bogging theuhhhh boy this game didnt age well... I played this game on recommendation as it is supposed to be one of the most funny and creative games ever made, and it is! BUT! The gameplay is very lackluster. The platforming is floaty and imprecise, all the side-missions are basically just collect a bunch of stuff with barely any use and there are loading screens every 5 f-ing feet. Bogging the whole experience down and culminating in one of the worst final levels I have ever had to force myself through in a game. Which really is a shame because its creativity is desplayed virtually every second of the game. All of its characters are unique and likeable the dialogue is fresh and funny the settings are original but actually PLAYING the game just feels like a chore after a while. While the game is a steal for 99 cents on steam summer sale i would almost rather suggest watching a lets play of it on youtube to get up to date for the second game which will hopefully have vastly improved controls. Lets stay optimistic!… Expand
  15. Thejodjeremie
    Sep 4, 2021
    7
    I enjoyed the game very much even though I dont usually play games like this. The story was weird but enjoyable and gameplay was solid.
  16. churros
    Jul 3, 2021
    7
    Pros:
    + great humor
    + memorable characters
    + funny jokes

    Cons:
    - technical issues on PC
    - too many tutorials
    - easy to get lost
  17. d3uzZ
    May 28, 2022
    6
    Отличный концепт, приятный визуальный ряд, геймплейные задумки крутые для своего года, но в то же время абсолютно бездарный геймдизайн. Игра не водит тебя за ручку, но в тоже время и не пытается быть дружелюбной с игроком, если начнешь тупить, есть большая вероятность, что тут твоя игра и закончится. Сложность головоломок балансирует от "совсем детская" до "гений квестов". Если бы я былОтличный концепт, приятный визуальный ряд, геймплейные задумки крутые для своего года, но в то же время абсолютно бездарный геймдизайн. Игра не водит тебя за ручку, но в тоже время и не пытается быть дружелюбной с игроком, если начнешь тупить, есть большая вероятность, что тут твоя игра и закончится. Сложность головоломок балансирует от "совсем детская" до "гений квестов". Если бы я был ребенком, это был бы дроп 100%. Хотя игра вроде рассчитана для всех возрастов, но разберутся в ней не все далеко.… Expand
  18. bertorellas
    Jun 21, 2021
    6
    Psychonauts es un juego con una premisa realmente interesante y que hace descansar la mayoría de su peso en su original idea y diseño artístico. Es una pena que su "plataformeo" no esté ni muchísimo menos a la altura de los grandes juegos del género. Además sus inumerables y poco atractivos coleccionables son a menudo más una molestia que un aliciente para explorar los imaginativosPsychonauts es un juego con una premisa realmente interesante y que hace descansar la mayoría de su peso en su original idea y diseño artístico. Es una pena que su "plataformeo" no esté ni muchísimo menos a la altura de los grandes juegos del género. Además sus inumerables y poco atractivos coleccionables son a menudo más una molestia que un aliciente para explorar los imaginativos escenarios que nos plantean desde Double Fine. En resumidas cuentas, considero que el tratamiento como "juego de culto" a esta obra, responde mucho más a su idea y profundidad narrativa, muy poco explotada en la mayoría de títulos del género pero que su "gameplay" no está ni mucho menos a la altura de los grandes juegos de plataformas. Esperemos que con la secuela se puedan corregir errores como el aburrido sistema de combate, los bosses repetitivos, el, a veces, tosco control y sobre todo que se calibre mejor todo lo relacionado con los coleccionables, que como mencioné anteriormente no invita para nada a la exploración y no tienen a penas ningún peso en el gameplay.

    Con todo, Psychonauts es un juego interesante, sobre todo por el tema que trata y esperemos que su secuela consiga colocarse como el enorme juego de plataformas que este juego podría haber sido con unos cuantos cambios.

    Psychonauts is a game with a really interesting premise that relies most of its weight on its original idea and artistic design. It is a pity that the platform stages are not at all at the level of the great games of the genre. In addition, its countless and unattractive collectibles are often more of a nuisance than an incentive to explore the imaginative scenarios that Double Fine presents us. In short, I consider that the treatment as a "cult game" to this game, responds much more to the idea and narrative depth, very little exploited in most titles of the genre but the "gameplay" is not far from it. the height of the great platformer games. Hopefully the sequel can correct errors such as the boring combat system, repetitive bosses, the, sometimes, rough control and above all that everything related to collectibles is calibrated better, which as I mentioned earlier does not invite at all to exploration and hardly have any weight in the gameplay.

    All in all, Psychonauts is an interesting game, especially because of the topic it deals with and we hope that its sequel manages to position itself as the huge platform game that this game could have been with a few changes    … Expand
  19. zyllus
    Mar 16, 2022
    7
    An amazing game with good gameplay. Its a 17 year old game so most people won't like it and the characters and elements in the world are a bit weird but overall its a great game. You can skip this one if you don't like it, as the second game gives a basic idea of the game and the story but do play the sequel, its GOTY for me.
  20. StarkAgentos
    May 10, 2022
    5
    Катсцены красивые, весёлые. Выглядят очень интересно. Много юмора. Ели бы из игры сделали мультик, то минусов не было бы. Геймплейно это 3D платформер, при чём раннего 3D. Не понятно, когда и до куда ты допрыгнешь. Есть баги, за столько лет могли бы их по большей части убрать. Некоторые катсцены почему-то нельзя поставить на паузу и они пропускаются на esc. Очень тупое решение. В нашеКатсцены красивые, весёлые. Выглядят очень интересно. Много юмора. Ели бы из игры сделали мультик, то минусов не было бы. Геймплейно это 3D платформер, при чём раннего 3D. Не понятно, когда и до куда ты допрыгнешь. Есть баги, за столько лет могли бы их по большей части убрать. Некоторые катсцены почему-то нельзя поставить на паузу и они пропускаются на esc. Очень тупое решение. В наше время эта игра такая себе, на любителя.… Expand
  21. meta_user
    Sep 25, 2022
    7
    I've got mixed feelings about this game. The art direction, Scott Campbell, and his visuals are simply gorgeous. The first hours of game play are a true delight, the created world is simply one you would like to return to and discover more. The quality of this game is mostly carried by the art department and fleshed out by some competent programmers.

    But the story collapses under it's    I've got mixed feelings about this game. The art direction, Scott Campbell, and his visuals are simply gorgeous. The first hours of game play are a true delight, the created world is simply one you would like to return to and discover more. The quality of this game is mostly carried by the art department and fleshed out by some competent programmers.

    But the story collapses under it's own weight. It was confusing. The "mad scientist" story line and safe the girl was good enough. But no.. The real villain is someone else! Because his dad killed a rabbit or something like that. In a truly punishing final level (Meat Circus) the fun was completely gone. The only reason I wanted to finish that level was so I could go back and find the last missing brain of "Dogen Boole". But no.. the game was done.

    If the game would end at the gorgeous designed "Asylum Tower" it would have been a true classic, a game with an amazing atmosphere and a great design. But now, I don't know, I the last level left me with bad taste in my mouth. It's hard to recommend this game. Being generous: 7/10 - Played on Xbox Series S    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PC Game of 2005
9
#9 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. GameSpot
    84
    Psychonauts doesn't reinvent the platformer, but it still delivers an experience that feels wholly original in every aspect of its execution.
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  2. 1UP
    90
    It's a brilliant debut for Double Fine, and here's hoping it's just the start of what we can expect to see from them.
    Read full review
  3. Computer Gaming World
    90
    A triumph of art direction, a prime example of exquisite aesthetics and of how well an imaginary world can be beautifully conceived.
    Read full review
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