Posted on: November 16, 2017

CynicMimic

Games: 324 Reviews: 19

I desperately want to like this game.

Going to have to hold up my flame shield for this one. Psychonauts gets so many things right. Its premise and story, its art style, its humour - all fantastic, and people have talked about these things a million times, so it seems pointless for me to do so. The problem is, I just don't find it very fun. I wanted to like it so much, and over the years I've started the game so many times, but never got further than a few hours in. I bought this game on Steam back in 2006! I then bought the GOG version later to further support the developers, telling myself "I'm definitely going to finish this one day and I'm definitely going to love it." I always told myself I was getting distracted by other games and by life, and that one day I'd finish it. Today, I've finally pushed through the game, further than I've ever got before, and I've come to accept how I really feel, which is that I don't really like it. It's hampered by bad level design (in a gameplay sense), stiff controls (yes I'm using a gamepad), a clumsy targeting system, and awkwardly-designed boss fights. Parts of it have just aged poorly, other parts were never very good, and yet some moments are pure genius which just makes the rest of the game all the more disappointing. I would love this game, if it wasn't for the whole "game" part of the game. When people praise Psychonauts, they talk about the characters, the world, the story; most people aren't praising the gameplay, and that's something you should keep in mind if you're new to it. The gameplay itself is, at best, average for a platformer from 2005, and subpar when played today. Personally, there are other platformers from the same era that I can still enjoy much more than Psychonauts.

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Posted on: August 3, 2010

FlintlockJazz

Verified owner

Games: 515 Reviews: 2

A true GOG

Psychonauts is one of those games that you hear was awesome and think about trying some day but never seem to get around to it. I was like that too, but once I did try it I regretted not playing it sooner. While I am no fan of platformers in general Psychonauts was a true joy to play, a true gem of a game that transcends what it is to become something more. Though the controls were designed for a gamepad, I had no trouble playing it with a mouse and keyboard, and while the platforming sections can get quite hard I found the difficulty curve perfect, something I don't usually find. Combat is pretty straightforward, and while you have to keep reassigning the three psychic powers you want to be usable at a time (you can only have three powers assigned to the controls at any one time), it is quite easy to do and pauses the game while you do so. I'm not big on wanting to collect everything in the game, but seeking out the extra stuff in the game is quite fun, and ranking up your psychic powers can unlock alot of interesting stuff. The story, though clearly not intended to be taken seriously, is really good, the characters colourful, if you have ever played one of the old LucasArts point and click adventure games expect the same sort of story, jokes and absurdity (which is unsurprising considering it was made by one of the creators of Monkey Island, Tim Schafer). You will love the detail put into your fellow campers, and if you are like me you will be compelled to see all their conversations and what they get up to despite having no bearing on the plot or how it turns out (try using Clairvoyance on them once you get the power to see what they see you as!). Everything's not perfect of course (nothing ever is), there is a part early in the game where I found it fails to explain to new players how to use the inventory nor that the item they need is there, but that is more an issue with having things properly explained. Overall, a classic game that truly warrrants the title 'Good Old Game'. and if you are on the fence I would heartily recommend it.

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Posted on: May 26, 2014

babark

Verified owner

Games: 501 Reviews: 10

Innovative and Enjoyable

The characters and dialogues are funny and unique, the level design (that fish city!), is innovative and FUN, and while it has 2005-level 3D graphics, they're used beautifully, so it doesn't look dated at all. Probably the ONLY fault I can think of in it is that some of the platforming isn't (mechanically) the best, which becomes more evident in the later, harder levels (aaaahhh....that meat circus). Even taking that into mind, I still can't recommend this game enough. PLAY IT!

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Posted on: February 8, 2011

Mystro84

Verified owner

Games: 209 Reviews: 2

The best game that never sold

Why they didn't market this better at the time is probably the single most commonly asked question in gaming. It is, quite simply, the best platformer ever to hit the PC (despite not actually being a "platformer" per say) and is, without doubt one of the most original, ingenuitive, and downright fun games ever released. Some of the levels - for those who have played it the 'Lungfishopolis' and 'Napoleon' levels come to mind - are without question the most brilliantly thought out I have ever seen in a game. The gameplay is fun, quick to pick up, and hits the right balance of challenging-without-being-frustrating. While the opening section (basically a tutorial section of sorts) can seem a bit repetitive, once the game gets going in earnest it is both compelling and addictive. Buy this and I guarantee you will replay it once or twice a year!

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Posted on: November 4, 2011

Arkvold

Games: 51 Reviews: 1

Must-buy for all 3D platformer fans

This game is a slice of sheer creative genius on the part of the good folks at Double Fine. It's quirky, but not incomprehensible; charming without inducing diabetes; challenging enough to engage without being obnoxiously hard; and it never, ever lacks for variety. The controls are fairly tight with few hiccups or difficulties, it's easy to pick up and play but challenging to wholly 100% it, and the game is always challenging you to find new ways of applying your character's abilities to deal with the insane environments you wind up in. Why are you still reading this? Go and get it already, for the sake of your sanity!

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