Psychonauts

 Xbox
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 92 out of 107
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 107
  3. Negative: 9 out of 107
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  1. ChristopherH.
    Jul 7, 2007
    10
    One of the top 3 greatest games I've ever played. And I don't like platformers.
  2. DanielP.
    May 26, 2007
    10
    This is the best game i have ever played. It's not the longest, but it has great gameplay. If you dont like platforms you wont like it that much, but i absolutely LOVED it.
  3. UweP.
    Oct 11, 2006
    4
    Definitely overrated. Maybe because it's an 'underdog' of a game by Schafer, and people wanted it to be a return to form for him. It's just not anywhere close to delievering the clever humour and characterizations of, say, Grim Fandango. And, unfortunately, it does feel like a point'n'clicker shoehorned onto an average platformer. What ticks me off the most, Definitely overrated. Maybe because it's an 'underdog' of a game by Schafer, and people wanted it to be a return to form for him. It's just not anywhere close to delievering the clever humour and characterizations of, say, Grim Fandango. And, unfortunately, it does feel like a point'n'clicker shoehorned onto an average platformer. What ticks me off the most, though, is the amount of rubbish you have to collect. It's like Rare's worst platformers/collect 'em ups multiplied by ten.… Expand
  4. ScottC.
    May 2, 2005
    10
    Psychonauts not only sets the bar higher for games, but in my opinon, forms the genre of movies you can play and participate in. Superb story that grips you and makes you laugh and truly Think (and not just about the game puzzles). Few games can accomplish that, and this is such a game. Even people who don't particularly like this style of game will have to admit it is an exceptional Psychonauts not only sets the bar higher for games, but in my opinon, forms the genre of movies you can play and participate in. Superb story that grips you and makes you laugh and truly Think (and not just about the game puzzles). Few games can accomplish that, and this is such a game. Even people who don't particularly like this style of game will have to admit it is an exceptional game. Highest recommendation possible.… Expand
  5. PimpPlayer
    Aug 4, 2005
    10
    Perfec1t
  6. ChrisR.
    Apr 1, 2005
    10
    Psychonauts seamlessly merges the legendary adventure sensibilities of Tim Schafer with fluid and engaging platforming gameplay.
  7. SteveS.
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    Amazing, varied gameplay that never ceases to produce a smile.
  8. SteveP.
    Jul 7, 2006
    10
    I was worried for a wile that plat formers, the purest form of gaming was doomed to die. The only good ones coming out where Mario Sequels, and I
  9. Zer
    Jan 9, 2008
    9
    Psychonauts is one of the best platformers of all time, and it's free until Dec 31 '08 on Gametap and $10 on Steam. Everyone who enjoys platformers should play it. It's sad it bombed and caused Majesco to leave the console buisness.
  10. RyanW.
    Apr 19, 2005
    10
    This game is excellent. The art direction, the soundtrack, the storyline (from what I've seen), the character depth, the universe realistation -- it's all perfect. I cannot recommend this game enough, and any gamer with the slightest interest in either the platforming or adventure genres should try it out. Hell, try it out even if you aren't. With the free demo, you This game is excellent. The art direction, the soundtrack, the storyline (from what I've seen), the character depth, the universe realistation -- it's all perfect. I cannot recommend this game enough, and any gamer with the slightest interest in either the platforming or adventure genres should try it out. Hell, try it out even if you aren't. With the free demo, you can't really go wrong.… Expand
  11. [Anonymous]
    Apr 22, 2005
    10
    One of the most important video games of all time.
  12. RaZB.
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    Once you really get into this game, you will realize that it has just about everything. I have laughed out loud many times at the one-liners in this game. The environments are amazing, and the voice acting is spot on! This game will make you think and laugh... a lot! Thanks Double Fine for setting the standard of actually taking time to completely fine-tuning a game before releasing it.
  13. FolarinS.
    May 11, 2005
    10
    Simply amazing!!!!!!! I had almost given up on computer games, then along comes this psychadelic experience. The humor is outstanding and Raz's is so eager to face all comers that you cannot but enjoy playing as him. Lungfishopolis on its own is worth the price of admission.
  14. BrentC.
    May 2, 2005
    10
    This game has all the originality of old school Nintendo games while putting the Xbox to full use. The puzzles are hard mostly because the game does its best to annoy you to put you off your best possible mental condition. Though you don't like getting annoyed, if you can accept it as a way to crank up the difficulty in some challenging situations, you'll appreciate it. The art This game has all the originality of old school Nintendo games while putting the Xbox to full use. The puzzles are hard mostly because the game does its best to annoy you to put you off your best possible mental condition. Though you don't like getting annoyed, if you can accept it as a way to crank up the difficulty in some challenging situations, you'll appreciate it. The art is beyond superb. I only wish there were more places to "visit." This is the only game ever where I replayed a training level just to have the experience again. I'm probably a third of the way into the game, and I can't wait for te levels that follow. Buy this now.… Expand
  15. JonD.
    May 28, 2005
    10
    Best game i have played this year!
  16. Charlie
    May 5, 2005
    10
    Unbelievable!
  17. SoiledPatsy
    Jun 14, 2005
    10
    I soiled myself after this amazing creation came out. Wow. Not world of warcraft, but wow as in amazing.
  18. PaulP.
    Jun 19, 2005
    9
    Fantastic creativity.
  19. TonyB.
    Jul 8, 2005
    9
    I'm a guy that hates boss fights. I was strickly a PC gamer, so avoiding boss fights isn't too hard...but playing this game on the Xbox is just sheer fun. The games creativity and imagination is incredibly refreshing after playing (even good) mass amrket games that all seem to blend into eachother. I'd recommend this game to anyone that can stand to laugh a little while I'm a guy that hates boss fights. I was strickly a PC gamer, so avoiding boss fights isn't too hard...but playing this game on the Xbox is just sheer fun. The games creativity and imagination is incredibly refreshing after playing (even good) mass amrket games that all seem to blend into eachother. I'd recommend this game to anyone that can stand to laugh a little while playing video games.… Expand
  20. ChrisG.
    Aug 9, 2005
    9
    This game has more imagination and variety than aything else I've played in 2005. The premise is unique, and the execution is outstanding. Here's why I didn't give it a 10: The jumping felt a little mushy at first, but you get powers later in the game to make up for it. The camera controls felt a little off. The very last challenge was a huge spike in difficulty. I found it This game has more imagination and variety than aything else I've played in 2005. The premise is unique, and the execution is outstanding. Here's why I didn't give it a 10: The jumping felt a little mushy at first, but you get powers later in the game to make up for it. The camera controls felt a little off. The very last challenge was a huge spike in difficulty. I found it fairly frustrating. I also had to turn off the music in this part- it was driving me INSANE!… Expand
  21. Zimbo74
    Feb 24, 2006
    10
    One of the funniest games I've ever played! I'm taking my time with it because I don't want it to finish!
  22. Mark
    Jan 22, 2007
    10
    Best platformer ever! A classic by Tim Schafer and his team, Double Fine! Simply not to be missed!
  23. EricS.
    Jan 3, 2007
    10
    This game is wonderful, and at a low low price of only $20 for PC.
  24. KenS.
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    Just fabulous, each level is a new world a new surprise and a whole new perspective. Brilliant and very funny.
  25. BirthdayBoy
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    Extraordinary, original, beautiful, deep game. It's Zelda for grownups. The young-looking graphics are not indicative of the experience. One of the best games of all time, from one of the greatest game designers.
  26. ScottG.
    Apr 21, 2005
    10
    Great game,fun for the kids and adults. . .thank you Double Fine for all the hard work...it paid off as on of the best platformers. . .ever!
  27. BrianJ.
    Apr 25, 2005
    10
    It's a pitiful world we live in when an amazing title like this is not loved by all fans of gaming. It has amazing characters, well written dialog and story and oodles of fun. If you don't play this game and enjoy it you are not a gamer.
  28. JohnK.
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    Truly great game! Very intriguing and extremely creative level design-- you really never know what to expect next! If you like games like Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper and Jak & Daxter (or if you only have an X-Box but have heard that those games on the PS2 were fun), then give this game a try! The game provides hours of entertainment, and its quirky humor keeps things interesting. The game Truly great game! Very intriguing and extremely creative level design-- you really never know what to expect next! If you like games like Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper and Jak & Daxter (or if you only have an X-Box but have heard that those games on the PS2 were fun), then give this game a try! The game provides hours of entertainment, and its quirky humor keeps things interesting. The game does a nice job of pulling you into the story, and has a free-roaming feel to it. You really do feel like you are trying to solve this brain-stealing mystery, and the game's little puzzles are fun to solve in order to move on to the next level. And when I say "puzzles", don't be put off by that if you are not a fan of such things-- the puzzles are just the creative ways that you will need to combine your powers in order to achieve your objectives. Bottom line: If you like action/adventure games with a little creativity (actually A LOT), then BUY THIS GAME. There really is no comparison on the X-Box!… Expand
  29. AndersonM.
    Jul 11, 2005
    10
    This game is unbelivable the voice acting is perfection and is unstop fun. this is by far the best platformer ever. a must buy!
  30. Dr.Worm
    Oct 31, 2006
    9
    It's a great platform game with good story, not bad graphics, and it brings originality to a franchise most give the cold shoulder. It does leave room for improvement though, it was a little too linear towards the beginning.
  31. JohnD.
    Mar 15, 2006
    10
    this came is the best game ive played all year. It is creative,funny,not all that long but worth it.
  32. DavidL.
    Apr 19, 2006
    10
    An impressive game. Brilliant design, clever writing, ingenious puzzles and addictive gameplay. Another fantastic game from Tim Schafer and the team at DoubleFine.
  33. Helmore
    Apr 5, 2012
    8
    Certainly doesn't have amazing graphics but it does have a good art style. The gameplay is... a bit bland and clunky. I can't give this more than a 8, it's just not that well. Fun.
  34. chujfugh
    Jan 26, 2013
    10
    A quirky, original and astounding platformer, and it holds up 8 years later. It's got the most clever, funny writing I've seen in a game, and with innovative ideas, like sortings ones literal emotional baggage and jumping into peoples brains that match their personality, that are executed perfectly. Granted, the platforming itself is a bit off, as this is Tim Schafers first stab at puzzleA quirky, original and astounding platformer, and it holds up 8 years later. It's got the most clever, funny writing I've seen in a game, and with innovative ideas, like sortings ones literal emotional baggage and jumping into peoples brains that match their personality, that are executed perfectly. Granted, the platforming itself is a bit off, as this is Tim Schafers first stab at puzzle platforming, but the characters, writing, aesthetic, adventure and story are completely pitch perfect, and it's one of the best 3D platformers of all time, even though the platforming isn't as tight as other platformers. It's a shame this didn't sell well, because if it did, more developers would be focusing on story and characters than xenophobic shooty-fun.… Expand
  35. sparkyshark
    Aug 15, 2021
    9
    While the gameplay feels antiquated and a bit dry, the immersive environment, ingenious writing, and unique but charming characters will draw you in like no other game. Tim Schafer knocks it out of the park with this gem. I cannot wait for 2!
  36. SuperkenGaming
    Jun 4, 2021
    9
    Psychonauts
    getting stuck in your mind
    Psychonauts is an 8 and a half hour long 3D platformer where you play as raz.. youre a psychis and youre at this camp to hone your psychic abilitites and become a psychonaut… and I absolutely loved this game from start to finish.. it feels like youre in an interactive cartoon from the late 90s or early 2000s, the humour, the voice actin, the    Psychonauts
    getting stuck in your mind
    Psychonauts is an 8 and a half hour long 3D platformer where you play as raz.. youre a psychis and youre at this camp to hone your psychic abilitites and become a psychonaut… and I absolutely loved this game from start to finish.. it feels like youre in an interactive cartoon from the late 90s or early 2000s, the humour, the voice actin, the perasonality of every character in the worlds.. I absolutely loved it… eventually brains strat getting snatched up so youll be going on a journey to get them back.. and along the way youll need certain items to progress and to get those items you have to teleport into the minds of different charatcers and deal with their demons, their insecurities, really anything that’s holding them back emotionally.. and every mind feels unique.. this is ultimately a 3d platformer with light combat aspects.. youll unlock new psychic abilities as the game goes on,giving you new ways to interact with the world… but no 2 levels feel the same, and I love that especially for a 3d platformer… every level here is memorable, youll be faced with different obstacles and problems to solve, and I love it.. one moment youll be floating through the air and rolling on a ball, and the next youre inside of a board game…
    the only issues psychonauts has is that it is in ways. But only in a couple of ways stuck in time.. I did have to check a walkthrough a couple of ytimes to figure out where to go or what im supposed to be doing to do damage to a boss.. as in a good and bad way.. bosses are all different and cant be damaged in the same way.. this is great when it comes to boss variety, but I feel I would’ve appreciated some cinsistancy in this aspect of the game.. especially since dying will cause you to restart the battle completely, and there are multiple stages and the way to damage the boss isn’t even consistent within its own battle…
    overall though psychonauts is pure nostalgic magic, this over 15 year old game is worth going back for before the sequel comes out.
    I give Psychonauts
    an 8.5/10    … Expand
  37. Joellemm
    Jun 30, 2021
    7
    It visually holds up. In terms of its narrative and characters, it far exceeds any other 3d platformer I've ever played. It's level and gameplay variety is impressive. One level in particular stands out as one of the most compelling and noteworthy that I've maybe ever played. Certainly for a game of this type. I feel it deals with what are often sensitive matters very well, even whilstIt visually holds up. In terms of its narrative and characters, it far exceeds any other 3d platformer I've ever played. It's level and gameplay variety is impressive. One level in particular stands out as one of the most compelling and noteworthy that I've maybe ever played. Certainly for a game of this type. I feel it deals with what are often sensitive matters very well, even whilst still maintaining the game's charm.

    However, for a platformer, the platforming is not good. It's inconsistent, and the design of many of these platforming sections are confusing. In fact, I spent a great deal of the game confused. You get so many powers in the end that can all be utilised in various ways, it often feels as though you're forced through a period of trial and error to figure out what the game wants of you. It's where the signature Double Fine - let's face it, ridiculous - puzzles begin to be problem for me. Mixed in the platforming and combat, it can be frustrating.

    Also, despite the quirky dialogue, it's never very funny - though this really is subjective.

    It's a fun game but also it's missing a lot of polish. Definitely worth going back to if you love 3d platformers though.    … Expand
  38. GamecubeLover
    Jul 28, 2016
    9
    A lot of people are giving it a 10 but I'm giving it a 9. The game is still great don't get me wrong! It is just the game is a little annoying but besides that the game would have been perfect.
  39. frederik1478
    Sep 2, 2021
    8
    Psychonuts is weird because the gameplay it's average platformer but The Story, character, voice acting it's one of the best of PS2 Xbox generation and you can really feel the heart behind every detail in the game, but why is the gameplay average? Because the character you play as feel way to stiff and when he jumps he falls down too fast you can get used to it absolutely, the best partPsychonuts is weird because the gameplay it's average platformer but The Story, character, voice acting it's one of the best of PS2 Xbox generation and you can really feel the heart behind every detail in the game, but why is the gameplay average? Because the character you play as feel way to stiff and when he jumps he falls down too fast you can get used to it absolutely, the best part is assumed you get the bubble his movement becomes way More good .
    The characters design is looks like some with Tim Burton cartoon stuff that I would have loved to watch as a child ,and all the small details that every character react to when your use psychic Powers and and you can use second sight to see what they think about you. I love this game even if is gameplay is a clunky mess    … Expand
  40. zezeljmare
    Sep 12, 2021
    10
    EN:
    Perfect! Game with the best dialogues. Great humor. The art design is beautiful and the levels are interesting. I'm excited for second part.

    SRP:
    Perfektno! Igra sa najboljim dijalozima. Odličan humor. Art dizajn je prelep i nivoi su zanimljivi. Radujem se drugom delu.
  41. Schisme
    Aug 15, 2021
    10
    Game is fantasticly creative, fun and enjoyable! 100% recommendation. 12/10 as for me. :) Never played so good designed and well made with so many mechanics and fun things to do game before.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best Xbox Game of 2005
13
#13 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005
5
#5 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. Yahoo!
    90
    Weird, funny, immensely playable, and has that nigh-unclassifiable thing we can only call charm.
    Read full review
  2. Games Radar
    90
    Loading screens can stall the action on Xbox and especially PlayStation 2, and there are some rough platform encounters late in the game, but Psychonauts is still easily one of the best titles of this, or any other, year.
    Read full review
  3. NTSC-uk
    90
    Simply beguiling, a must-experience game, which will firmly cement itself in the mind of the player long after the system has been switched off.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »