Psychonauts 2

 Xbox Series X
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1706 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,320 out of 1706
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 1706
  3. Negative: 344 out of 1706
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  1. sopojojo
    Aug 30, 2021
    5
    As creative and interesting as this game is conceptually, the actual experience of playing it is disappointing. It's clear that a lot of love, care and passion went into developing the individual parts of this game - particularly in the overall art direction and environmental storytelling - but, sadly, it doesn't come together to produce a satisfying whole. In a sentence, the game has aAs creative and interesting as this game is conceptually, the actual experience of playing it is disappointing. It's clear that a lot of love, care and passion went into developing the individual parts of this game - particularly in the overall art direction and environmental storytelling - but, sadly, it doesn't come together to produce a satisfying whole. In a sentence, the game has a creative spirit and ambitious soul, but feels sparse and incomplete.

    Here's a brief list of what worked for me, and what fell short. For transparency, I'm playing on PS4 (reviewing here since there seems to be the most activity for this SKU), am about 5-6 hours in, have played through the original multiple times and loved it, haven't played Rhombus.

    The Pros:
    ----------------
    -Excellent environmental storytelling. Posters on walls, background objects, lighting, pickups, texturing; all these details help to bring the game's narrative to life in an intuitive way.
    -Creative art direction. Levels are often a mixture of different themes, like an office building being taken over by some at-the-dentist body horror, with gums, teeth, tongues etc. snaking in between the filing cabinets and cramped cubicles - and that's just the first level.
    -Creative level design. Mind-bending non-euclidean geometry tricks, endlessly-expanding corridors, twising/warped hallways a'la Ocarina of Time's Forest Temple, gravity inversions; there are some really cool ideas on display in how the levels themselves unfold.
    -Genuinely funny writing, which is truly a rarity in games
    -Fans will appreciate the return of several voice actors from the original
    -Decent variety in combat options with some creative additions - it can be fun to come up with creative combos using the tools at your disposal
    -Some really great sound design, especially for combat abilities
    -Every thing you collect matters. It feels a bit like Mario Odyssey: there are several different kinds of collectibles scattered throughout the game's levels, and no matter what you pick up, it's always contributing to your character's growth, though no one individual item feels particularly special.

    And now, on to the Cons:
    ----------
    -Controlling your character feels a bit clunky and unresponsive
    -Gameplay is CONSTANTLY interrupted by cutscenes which abruptly yank control away with hard cameras cuts and and incongruous character placement
    -Your character's actions are kind of nonsensical. You (your character) will magically know the names of characters you've just met, people will betray you and you'll act like nothing happened, NPCs that hate you will suddenly do a 180 and trust you with important missions with little to no explanation.
    -Most NPCs feel like environmental props rather than real characters
    -The game will not stop "helping" you with "hints." If you cancel a certain ability before fully using it, your character will comment on how to use the ability "properly." Vending machines yell the same line of dialogue at you from across the level, constantly nagging you to purchase upgrades. If it takes you more than a minute or two to solve a puzzle, your character will outright tell you the solution. Some younger players might appreciate this, but I wish there were an option to turn it off.
    -The levels feel empty and barren. There's just a lack of environmental clutter, effects, vegetation, etc. that makes the levels seem hollow and sparsely populated.
    -The pacing of combat and exploration/puzzle solving is sporadic. You'll travel for long sections with no enemy encounters, then suddenly have a cluster of foes thrown at you for a 30-60 second brawl, only to have them disappear again.
    -Most of the "puzzles" and scavenger hunts are incredibly simple. Most upgrades are in plain sight, and paired items (e.g. tags + baggage, half-a-minds) are placed right next to one another.
    -The combat progression progression is all over the place; enemies are introduced so quickly you barely have a chance to get to know one before another is thrust at you.
    -Combat difficulty is also sporadic. In an instant you might go from effortlessly stomping a few censors to being surrounded by enemies coming at you from all sides with AOE attacks that melt your health away in mere moments. Worse, health pickups will bounce AWAY from you, making recovering from damage a real hassle.
    -Character progression is a mess. You'll go from having no upgrades to having level 3 (out of 4, max) upgrades for most of your abilities over the course of a level and a visit to the hub area, if you put the bare minimum of effort into collecting cards and figments.
    -While sound design is strong, the music stems for each section are short and repetitive, and share the same jazz palette; they don't feel unique for each environment.

    Overall, this isn't the sequel I was hoping for. I wish they'd had a bit more time to flesh it out. It's still special and unique. it's just not, you know. Great.    … Expand
  2. Minim0zg
    Aug 27, 2021
    5
    Отличный платформер, не чем не уступает оригиналу, не понимаю почему такой низкий рейтинг. Такая низкая оценка только из за отсутствия русского языка
  3. CapitanQwark
    Aug 27, 2021
    6
    Enjoyable, but not original at all. I love the game, but it doesn't adds many things to the mechanics of the first game.
  4. Auxta
    Aug 26, 2021
    7
    I’m not really a fan of these kinda games, but this one surprised me and I must say it accomplishes what it strives to be. All around just a fun little game to maybe pass the time on.
  5. gokugamerrj
    Aug 27, 2021
    5
    Excelente jogo de tirar o seu fôlego campanha excelente audio excelente jogabilidade excelente
  6. SkatchyBogan
    Aug 28, 2021
    6
    I loved the first game, but I find this one to be boring, the graphics are alright but nothing next-gen. The story is a meh, if you have Gamepass give it a try.
  7. RASelhanout
    Aug 27, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just another platformer i got bored 3 hours in. Too many of the same you fight these enemies while i look for the exit kinda gameplay!!! I don't get the review bombing from both sides xbox players giving this a 10 is stupid and a 0 is also stupid while i see it's mostly russian gamers who wan't russian language!!!....JUST BE HONEST GUYS!!… Expand
  8. inkeys
    Aug 27, 2021
    5
    Diseño de personajes y tema de fotografia originales, nada mas.
    En cuanto al juego, una aburridisima sucesion de ideas random que pretenden tener transfondo profundo siendo meras simplezas aleatorias. Repito, aburridisimo, no engancha ni aunque te esfuerces. Tambien destacar el tipico rollo barato "inclusivo y empoderado" que inunda este quiero y no puedo. Jugado desde el dia uno en game    Diseño de personajes y tema de fotografia originales, nada mas.
    En cuanto al juego, una aburridisima sucesion de ideas random que pretenden tener transfondo profundo siendo meras simplezas aleatorias. Repito, aburridisimo, no engancha ni aunque te esfuerces. Tambien destacar el tipico rollo barato "inclusivo y empoderado" que inunda este quiero y no puedo. Jugado desde el dia uno en game pass y tras dos dias de uso a regañadientes, ahi se queda. Si tienes gamepass comprueba lo malo que es por ti mismo. Si tienes pensado comprarlo, alla tu y tu dinero, pero yo no lo haria.    … Expand
  9. EdThezy
    Aug 27, 2021
    5
    Amazing game from start to finish! The ending I definitely didn’t expect but it was good
  10. base_d
    Aug 27, 2021
    7
    Its a decent little game. I wasnt expecting much going into it and found myself just smiling with the play-style. Its decent but more for a younger crowd. Doesn't mean you cant have a smile and enjoy your time with this game. Give it a shot especially if you have gamepass.
  11. Albobaba
    Aug 28, 2021
    5
    Great game, can play it all night long without getting bored, its free on Gamepass Just try it out
  12. jazzy_jeff
    Oct 12, 2021
    7
    Psychonauts 2 features interesting levels and fun characters, but the constant gameplay-interrupting cutscenes have worn my patience down to the nub. It's a neat game, just know that fun 3D platforming often takes a backseat to story.
  13. memus
    Jan 6, 2022
    7
    A very creative and imaginative game, but also an overstaffed and undercooked one. (Disclaimer: the first Psychonauts is one of my favorite games ever.)

    Pros: + Some levels are awesome. My favorite one was the Bob's mind. + Tim's writing is still funny and his puns work. + I did enjoy the boss fights (except the first one) + Most of the treasure hunting in the open world sections    A very creative and imaginative game, but also an overstaffed and undercooked one. (Disclaimer: the first Psychonauts is one of my favorite games ever.)

    Pros:
    + Some levels are awesome. My favorite one was the Bob's mind.
    + Tim's writing is still funny and his puns work.
    + I did enjoy the boss fights (except the first one)
    + Most of the treasure hunting in the open world sections are nostalgia inducing and great.
    + This time around the game is relatively easy to 100%.

    Cons:
    - The platforming itself and movement never felt right. Double Fine games has never been mechanically impressive, but here it hits the hardest. All the other platformers in the market moved the future and this game stayed in the past. The gap is painfully wide.
    - There are also just too many mechanics in the game and none of them are great. You can see how more and more stuff was added over 6 year development span and most of them are mediocre at best. Feels more like an Assassin's Creed game then a Psychonauts one.
    - The levels are also very inconsistent. Both visually and gameplay wise. Some of them (like the Hollis's brain) I didn't enjoy at all.
    - The open-world structure is also gated weirdly. After entering Green Gulch you can't go back to Questionable area, and that prevented me from doing side-quests when I wanted them. And there is no good reason to structure the game this way.    … Expand
  14. lNeo15l
    Sep 11, 2021
    5
    Jogo multi plataforma padrão game pass, tem alguns momentos divertidos.
    Se não tiver nada para jogar.

    Não tem com dar uma nota maior que 6, neste caso fanboy detectado.
    Também não tem como ser menor de 4.
  15. Iamgiannhs
    Oct 9, 2021
    7
    Psychonauts 2 is pretty great!. Graphics aren't the best but they're pretty decent, especially in the cut scenes. What i strongly disliked is that repeating-look alike missions we had to do. I'm talking about the ones with the bottles & the ones with Cassi'oPia. Also it took me 25 hours & 36 minutes to finish it that was quite unpleasant. Other than these, the game worths it!.
  16. SlicK007
    Dec 14, 2021
    7
    Average game,,,
    So so much bla bla bla, stretched a little bit, not bad graphics but not Next Gen,,, If you are buying, then go for it takes two.
  17. Jattaman
    Sep 17, 2022
    7
    Platform con stile grafico molto creativo e (cosa rara in questo genere) trama interessante.
    Molta creatività nel raffigurare i nemici, che rappresentano disturbi psichici.
    Game design dei livelli buono. Merita di essere giocato, nonostante un livello di difficoltà piuttosto basso che lo rende poco impegnativo per i giocatori più esperti. Proprio la mancanza di sfida gli toglie almeno    Platform con stile grafico molto creativo e (cosa rara in questo genere) trama interessante.
    Molta creatività nel raffigurare i nemici, che rappresentano disturbi psichici.
    Game design dei livelli buono.
    Merita di essere giocato, nonostante un livello di difficoltà piuttosto basso che lo rende poco impegnativo per i giocatori più esperti.
    Proprio la mancanza di sfida gli toglie almeno un punto pieno sul punteggio cui avrebbe potuto aspirare.    … Expand
  18. KreamJ86
    Feb 15, 2022
    6
    I played the original Psychonauts on the Xbox way back when. While I don't remember each and every detail, I do remember it feeling very unique and captivating. It was quite the gem in an era where 3D platformers were a more appealing genre. Upon hearing news the sequel released (and straight to Game Pass), I was very excited to play it. The hype around it being a "Game of the Year"I played the original Psychonauts on the Xbox way back when. While I don't remember each and every detail, I do remember it feeling very unique and captivating. It was quite the gem in an era where 3D platformers were a more appealing genre. Upon hearing news the sequel released (and straight to Game Pass), I was very excited to play it. The hype around it being a "Game of the Year" candidate only fueled my excitement. But unfortunately that's where the joy ended for me. I think my expectations being as elevated as they were contributed most to my disdain for this title. It's really not a bad game, but getting through the 3 hours that I committed to it was a bit of a chore. While it's very colorful, bright and humorous...it sort of lacks heart. It's one giant repetitive collectathon that still manages to feel like a tutorial even beyond the first level. Alot of people enjoy the game and they aren't wrong for thinking it's amazing cause I see what makes it good. But the shortcomings are too hard overlook, especially for a seasoned gamer such as myself.… Expand
  19. The_Joker6950
    Apr 12, 2022
    5
    I played 3-5 hours then stopped, not worth my time. It's a kiddie game from what I experienced correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe it gets better later but a game should be fun in the beginning.

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
3
#3 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 67 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 67
  3. Negative: 0 out of 67
  1. The Loadout
    Oct 29, 2021
    90
    Psychonauts 2 is a superb sequel that appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers. With a engaging story full of twists and turns, excellent witty dialogue, and a gorgeous visual palette, exploring people's minds has never been so fun and thrilling.
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  2. Games.cz
    Oct 4, 2021
    100
    Psychonauts 2 managed to restore my faith in the genre of 3D platformers. This is a creative volcano spewing ideas left and right - it can make you laugh, it can make you cry, it can make you think. And it will definitely make you have fun.
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  3. XboxAddict
    Sep 27, 2021
    97
    Psychonauts 1 is the perfect example of the term cult classic, and Psychonauts 2 has created another masterpiece that I am only assuming won’t receive the attention it deserves. They have perfected and expanded on their original idea in every way and created a world full of heart and fun. It’s been well documented that the last few years it took to bake were used to expand the boss battles, and finely polish the areas that were complete. It’s clear that the added funds from being a Microsoft studio were put to good use and the team at Double Fine should be very proud of what they have created. I cannot wait to see what they create next.
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