Xbox Series X Critic Reviews

It's honestly astounding how incredible Psychonauts 2 is. After 16 years, the expectations for the sequel were so high it felt as though they were impossible to meet. We don't know how they did it, but the wizards at Double Fine not only met them but smashed through them with ease. Psychonauts 2 is an extraordinary achievement in both its gameplay and storytelling, balancing heavy themes of mental health with its whimsical world. In lesser hands, it could have been a disaster, but the team has taken every aspect of the original game, built upon it and respected the fanbase in the process. Psychonauts 2 is the best game of 2021 so far and one of the greatest sequels ever made.

Psychonauts 2 is exactly what I was hoping for in a follow-up. Double Fine has smartly refined its unique brand of platforming adventure while greatly expanding its narrative qualities. Plus, it's an absolute treat for the eyes and ears. This is how you do a sequel.

Psychonauts 2 is one of the best 3D platformers that I have ever played. It is a game that exudes charisma and personality on all sides and that raises the bar to an even higher level than its first part. It has a gameplay and story that hooks you from the first minute and that together with its graphic, sound and spectacular performance, it becomes a serious candidate for GOTY.

I’ve rarely played anything that is so unashamedly itself. Each hour is different, each character distinct and memorable, each new psychic playground full of surprises. There are a few things here that belong back in 2005, such as an obsession with collectibles and a redundant tree of upgrades that only confuses the array of psychic powers. But this is a standout title that reminds us why 3D platformers were once gaming’s most popular genre.

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.

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.

Psychonauts 2 completely surpasses the exceptional original game, and if tight platforming and Double Fine charm are what you're into. you should play it asap.

There are moments when elements jarringly clash, though. It can occasionally feel weird combing the environment for collectibles in the midst of a dramatic scene, or having minor dialogue loop incessantly, taking away from the otherwise impeccable and engrossing world. Such minor complaints truly sizzle into nothing though when compared to the gigantic achievements of Psychonauts 2. It's the kind of game that feels like it only comes around a scant few times per console generation. In an industry that can sometimes feel like it's just regurgitating the same cynical product repeatedly, Psychonauts 2 is a beaming ray of unbridled imagination. One that will hopefully get the love it’s due.

While this series does not have the popularity that other platforming games have, Psychonauts 2 will undoubtedly be the most fun, unique and memorable platform game you will play in recent years.

The richness and cartoonish sincerity of Psychonauts’s world makes playing the game feel like switching on the TV for some well-written Saturday morning cartoons.