![]() Psychonauts is a series where I would compare it to the likes of something like Coraline, Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, or The Nightmare Before Christmas. This isn’t to say I don’t adore graphical showcases like Rift Apart, which I absolutely loved, but its world can feel overly disconnected from the game’s own personality. But this is where you have the discussion of enjoying a unique art style vs raw graphical fidelity, as while both games go about their visuals in completely different ways, I’ll always lean more towards the creative art design side as Psychonauts has a distinct look to it that works incredibly well to not just the story it’s trying to tell, but a unique visual identity that is all its own, thus complementing its story and its colorful cast of characters. For newcomers to the series, however it may not visually be up to their modern standards, or even tastes, especially when you compare it to something like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. ![]() Do you develop it as a continuation of how it looked and felt, regardless of how dated it could appear, or do you run the risk of modernizing it too much and losing a lot of what made the original so special? Double Fine certainly walks the line on this in some ways, but smartly chooses the former in more cases than the latter, making Psychonauts 2 feel more like a direct sequel that feels as if it could have been released shortly after the original, opposed to one that would be released some 16 years later.Īs a fan of the original, this was something I personally was hoping for, as the world of Psychonauts is gorgeous amongst its warped and yet twisted simplicity, oozing with the game’s personality from location to location, not to mention the often bizarre character designs that complement the aesthetic choice. While there are numerous games that have had a long-gestating development, it’s another thing entirely when you look to make a sequel to a game that was originally released several consoles ago. Having waited for all those years, you would have to wonder if the team would be able to not just recapture the magic of the original but to make a game that felt as if it was worth the wait. Microsoft eventually purchased Double Fine back in 2019, ensuring that the team would get all the remaining funding it needed to finish their vision, a sequel that many have been waiting some 16 years for. Despite its relative obscurity, it gained a bit of cult status over the years, eventually creating enough groundswell that a sequel was put into production back in 2015, announced via a crowdfunding campaign at the Game Awards. If Psychonauts 2 helps others to do the same then it has achieved something very special and for me personally, this is a game that will forever hold a special place in my gaming heart.It’s always been an unfortunate case that Psychonauts never got the love it truly deserved. I feel there is so much more of the game I have not yet explored and what really stands out for me is the games’ understanding of human frailties and character flaws. What Psychonauts 2 does is bring stunning cartoon-style graphics that made me feel as if I was in a cartoon show, intuitive controls, and a narrative that will both bewilder and amaze in equal measure. How many games are there now that look amazing but play like utter tripe? Too many. ![]() I often talk to people about why gaming has sometimes managed to lose focus on what is important and that is the sheer fun of playing games: playability. Psychonauts 2 is not the most difficult game you will ever play but it is one of the most enjoyable and will keep you coming back for more whether that be to enjoy the comedy again or to get that 100% score of collectibles, pins, and badges that are on offer.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |