Psychonauts

I am rubbish at platformers, but I thoroughly enjoyed this game. I loved the variation of music in the different areas, the characters... so well done. I could save the game anywhere and anytime, for me -- that gives the game another 5 stars. :)

5 Starts because it's really a masterpiece... But those controls... tbh. They suck.

Psychonauts is to video games what Voltron was to giant robots: the fusion of like-themed elements into a single awesome gestalt capable of dealing a mighty blow. The game is a fun 3D platformer. If you enjoy games like Prince of Persia, or even old standards like Sonic the Hedgehog, you'll get a kick out of the gameplay. On the surface, it's the usual negotiation of rough terrain with developing powers and a little combat. The game shines in its conception and creativity. As Raz, you are a budding Psychonaut -- a warrior who takes the battle into the minds of the enemy. That might sound harsh, but the game plays out in a friendly yet subtley sinister summer camp. This is a great game for kids. Psychonauts draws its unique look from the surreal, literally psychedelic visions you find in each level. A drill sergeant's mind is a mess of barbed wire and trenches. A young child's mind might be a twisted bedroom of nightmare shadows and creaking closet doors. Every level is a masterpiece of Freudian inference. Tim Schafer is the mind behind Psychonauts, and that right there is a mark of quality. Schaefer drove landmark Lucasarts adventure games like Full Throttle and Grim Fandango. Story, dialog, and characterization all shine. Even between levels, Shafer presents the story as you explore the world: there are few if any force-fed cutscenes with exposition here. Psychonauts neatly dances between arcade jumper and point'n'click adventure. If that weren't enough, the game boasts some serious star power on the performance side. Cartoon voice acting megastars Richard Steven Horvitz and Charles Adler add their considerable talents to the main characters, supported by brilliant dialog. If you don't recognize the names, your ear will probably recognize the voices. Psychonauts is a must-have addition to any classic gamer's collection.

I bought and played Psychonauts when it first came out. Now, as then, I give it my highest recommendation. Play it.

"I hate to be so blunt, but YOU have the insanity, of a MANATEE!!" "I know, people are always saying that. What do you think is wrong with my brain doc?" "How should I know? I'm a dentist!" Psychonauts is, at the very least, a strong contender for my favourite game of all time. It combines a fabulous, off the wall story with a wide array of brash (and mostly slightly insane) characters, plus a good helping of excellent, enthusiastic voice acting, to produce a game which is damn near perfect. Dr. Loboto (the deranged dentist-cum-brain surgeon quoted above) has to be one of the best realised and finest voiced villains in the history of video gaming. The environments are wacky, fun and varied, and the solution to each person's mental problems is always inventive and hilarious. There is a dash of romance, a good bit of back story to dig around in, and lots of bonus powers to unlock. To put it simply, this game is brilliant. It is also however, different. There is no other game quite like it. Sadly, difference is something that most gamers appear not to appreciate, as Psychonauts sold poorly on release, which perhaps explains the lack of a sequel. This is a tragedy, because Psychonauts is a game that it is impossible not to enjoy, whatever games you usually play (or even if you usually don't play games). Buy it now! "Young man, I hope you've learned a lesson here today." "Yes I have. That shooting things is fun - and useful!"