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Psychonauts 2
Critics Consensus (Play It)
Psychonauts 2 is everything we could have hoped for – witty, eccentric, and just as imaginative as the original. This is one of the best games you’ll ever play.
Game Info
Psychonauts 2 is a mind-bending trip through the strange worlds hiding inside our brains. Freshly-minted special agent and acrobat extraordinaire Razputin “Raz” Aquato returns to unpack emotional baggage and expand mental horizons. Along the way he’ll help new friends, like this magical mote of light voiced (and sung) by Jack Black. Raz must use his powers to unravel dark mysteries about the Psychonauts team and his own family origins.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 121
Best Platformer (2021), Nom: Best Action Game (2021), Editors' Choice
Gold TIER
45% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- Platformer, Adventure
DEVELOPER(S):
- Double Fine Productions
- The Molasses Flood
PUBLISHER(S):
- Xbox Game Studios
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- n/a
GAME MODES:
- Single player
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
121
Critic Reviews
89
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
90%
Low Score
70%
What did you think of Psychonauts 2?
Player Reviews1 Votes
8.5
Edwin Evans-Thirlwell (Eurogamer)
August 23, 2021
Recommended
As witty, eccentric and imaginative as the 2005 action-platformer, with a more developed understanding of mental health.
Matthew Castle (PC Gamer)
August 23, 2021
89/100
Improved platforming underpins a glorious return to one of gaming’s most inventive and empathic universes.
Tom Marks (IGN)
August 23, 2021
8/10
Even with a few rough edges, Psychonauts 2 is just about everything I could have hoped for from this long-awaited sequel.
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (121 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DNews | Денис Щенников | 8 / 10 | 09-04-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is visually stunning, and surprises player with each mind world. But its gameplay mechanics are pretty much mediocre. | Read review |
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | One of the most confident, stylish, and playable platformers in years. Backed up by incredible writing. | Read review | |
| Area Xbox | Xauri23 | 9.1 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | We loved Psychonauts 2. This narrative adventure of 3D platforms more than fulfills the function of offering us something entertaining and interesting enough to give it a try. He deals with serious topics with a great sense of humor. The game is riddled with snaps and references to popular culture. Also, despite the systematic use of humor, it is a serious and forceful title that will satisfy both adults and children thanks to its particular characters and the use of color and lighting. | Read review |
| Areajugones | Ramón Baylos | 8.2 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a new lesson in empathy from Double Fine for both video games and yourself. If you’re predisposed to it, the studio’s work can set aside its classic 3D platformer look to connect with you without you realizing it on very personal levels. Or, at least, that’s what’s happened to me playing it. Psychonauts 2 has arrived as a breath of air right at a time in my life when I needed a breather. | Read review |
| Ars Technica | Sam Machkovech | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is one of the best video games I have ever played, and if anything in this review sounds like you and your family’s bag, don’t hesitate to join me in loving the heck out of it. | Read review |
| Atomix | Alberto Desfassiaux | 94 / 100 | All the passion, affection and dedication of Tim Schafer’s team is reflected in a practically round video game that is difficult to find defects of consideration. Its impeccable script took you through an exciting story full of themes that are not usually touched within the middle, spectacular art direction and graphics of squearing, a sublime design of levels that exalts game mechanics, and very well polished controls, are just some of the reasons why we believe, Psychonauts 2 has to be yes or yes in the lists of the best games of the year, and without a doubt, as one of the best titles that Microsoft has had the honor of publishing in its already rich history within the medium. | Read review | |
| Attack of the Fanboy | Kyle Hanson | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 was a long time in the making, but the wait has certainly been worth it. | Read review |
| AusGamers | Steve Farrelly | 9 / 10 | 08-24-2021 | In setting expectation for the journey ahead, pulling teeth and using them as weapons in a brain wholly fixated on dental fears is about as clear an indication as you need. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Bahram Bigharaz | 9 / 10 | 09-03-2021 | The second entry in the Psychonauts series is pure fun thanks to its solid level design and great story telling and characters, and even though the long development process had its marks on the gameplay, it still represents a magical experience that can probably only be found in Nintendo games. | Read review |
| But Why Tho? | Arron Kluz | 9 / 10 | 08-30-2021 | In this way, Psychonauts 2 is absolutely everything it should be. It does not do everything perfectly, but it builds on what fans loved about the first Psychonauts in a way that keeps the spirit of the series alive and well. | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Julian Bieder | 8.9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | By expanding on the strong parts of its predecessor | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Preston Dozsa | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | It took sixteen years, but Psychonauts 2 is worth the wait. | Read review |
| Checkpoint Gaming | Pedro Cooray | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is absolutely fizzing with ideas in gameplay, story, and presentation. Its story is emotional, its characters are hilarious, its worlds are huge and imaginative, plus I had a fun time actually playing the dang thing. Apart from some minor issues with the optional dialogue, it’s clear Double Fine went all out developing this title. Nothing feels rushed, nothing feels unfinished, and nothing feels like padding. This is a fabulously well-made game, and a perfect game for lockdown. If you’re looking for some extra joy from your video games, you need to play Psychonauts 2. If you’re a fan of the original, I suspect you’ll like it even more. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Mark Steighner | 93 / 100 | 08-23-2021 | So many videogames treat their human characters as singularly good or evil, or worse, as disposable cannon fodder that exist only to be killed. In addition to its excellent platforming, puzzles, and action, Psychonauts 2 impresses the most because it treats human frailty and failure with warmth, compassion, and humor that is never cruel or demeaning. Inside our heads, we’re all just bundles of doubt, random connections, ill-considered motivations, and weird memories mixed with kindness, aspiration, and delight. I’m grateful to Psychonauts 2 for the reminder. | Read review |
| Cultured Vultures | Zack Stout | 10 / 10 | 08-30-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a wildly creative, engaging, and thought-provoking masterpiece that bears the standard for all 3D platformers going forward. | Read review |
| DASHGAMER.com | Dan Rizzo | 9 / 10 | 08-25-2021 | I’m elated to have experienced such an awe-inspiring tale, one that no doubt has motivated me for the better, and one that I will surely be reflecting upon for a long time. I can without a doubt, unequivocally recommend Psychonauts 2, as an essential title for 2021. Game of the Year worthy. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Zoey Handley | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | A huge impact was left on me by Psychonauts. While that’s not likely to be the same story for Psychonauts 2, I wasn’t disappointed. There was no single place that let me down so severely that it soured the overall experience. Nothing that struck me as starkly inferior. It’s maybe not quite as genius, but it’s still a mind worth exploring. | Read review |
| Digital Trends | Giovanni Colantonio | 4 / 5 stars | Empathetic storytelling and mind-bending level design make Psychonauts 2 a worthy follow-up to one of gaming’s great cult classics. | Read review | |
| Easy Allies | Ben Moore | 4.75 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is an intoxicating mix of creativity and passion that makes for an unforgettable game. | Read review |
| Echo Boomer | David Fialho | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | More than just a fun action-platformer, Psychonauts 2 throws us into an epic and abstract adventure that explores, in a playful and relaxed way, a series of real psychological conditions. | Read review |
| EGM | Josh Harmon | 8 / 10 | Psychonauts 2 recaptures the humor, heart, and much of the creative magic of the original game, with modern refinements that make it more pleasant to play. While the combat still feels a bit clunky and outdated compared to the rest of the game, fans of the original will no doubt delight in revisiting old friends and making new ones in this charming adventure. | Read review | |
| Eurogamer | Edwin Evans-Thirlwell | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | As witty, eccentric and imaginative as the 2005 action-platformer, with a more developed understanding of mental health. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Francesco Fossetti | 8.5 / 10 | Classic in setting and structure, Psychonauts 2 proudly adheres to the canon of platform adventure of the early 2000s: that line of products that stood out for a certain craftsmanship in the construction of the levels and for a strong attention in the characterization of history and characters. Just like in the first chapter, the elements of originality do not come so much from the gameplay | Read review | |
| Explosion Network | Ciaran Marchant | 10 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 excels where others have failed by crafting a story experience that welcomes players, new and old, into the fantastically absurd world of the Psychonauts. I will not forget my time with Psychonauts 2 easily; the characters and themes have left a lasting impression. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Andrew Reiner | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Well worth the wait and better than the original, Psychonauts 2 hits its stride early and never loses steam | Read review |
| Game Rant | Dalton Cooper | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 was worth the 16-year wait, as it’s easily Double Fine’s best game so far and a strong contender for Game of the Year. | Read review |
| Game Revolution | Paul Tamburro | 4.25 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | While its old-school nature can lead to frustration, I was far too enamored by its characters and their heart-warming empathy for one another to let it dampen my enjoyment of this long-awaited sequel. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Gianni Molinaro | 8 / 10 | Psychonauts 2 is another great entry in the series, a action-platformer that can look a bit stiff and not very challenging, but has a lot of surface to explore and motivates us to explore every corner thanks to its incredible art direction, stellar characters and story. One of the most refreshing games of 2021. | Read review | |
| Gamefa | مهدی رضایی | 9.5 / 10 | 12-24-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is definitely the best Double Fine game and the top game of 2021. | Read review |
| GameGrin | Luke Greenfield | 9.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is an absolutely fantastic game, and I can say that with certainty. Double Fine took an amazing concept that was ahead of its time and proved that they could do it again. The very few issues I had with the game were minor and had absolutely zero bearings on my overall enjoyment of the game | Read review |
| GameMAG | Unknown | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a true sequel, that evolves a lot of ideas from original game, while still stays true to the style the fans love. If you’re looking for something special, then this title is fore you. Whimsical and fun Psychonauts 2 is one of the best games we played this year. | Read review |
| GamePitt | Shaun Sannerude | 9 / 10 | 09-15-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is easily one of the most entertaining platformers that I have played in recent years. The level design is so impressive and constantly throwing new ideas at you that creates a fresh gameplay experience throughout the games lengthy story. Once again, Double Fine Productions have instilled themselves as some of the finest writers on the gaming scene with a narrative that successfully manages to walk the fine line of merging comedy with sensitive mental health themes and being completely respectful of the subject matter. Raz has equally become one of my all-time favourite gaming protagonists and I really hope we won’t have to wait another 16 years to jump into some new mind-bending experiences. | Read review |
| GamePro | Eleen Reinke | 88 / 100 | Psychonauts 2 is a wacky adventure with a lot of heart, which has only a few small weaknesses. | Read review | |
| Gamerheadquarters | Jason Stettner | 10 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a perfect 3D platformer offering a well balanced challenge that’s engaging and filled with a lengthy narrative that provides many laughs alongside heavier emotional beats. | Read review |
| GamesBeat | Mike Minotti | 80 / 100 | 08-23-2021 | If you enjoyed the original, or just like the idea of a psychic-themed 3D platformer, I’m sure that you’ll like Psychonauts 2 and find plenty of laughs along the way. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Josh Broadwell | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a brilliant, thoughtful sequel and one of the most creative experiences of the last generation. | Read review |
| GameSpew | Kim Snaith | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | This is a brilliantly designed game, and it’s clear a huge amount of ingenuity has gone into its creation. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Kurt Indovina | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 does more than just fill the shoes of its beloved quirky predecessor, it sets itself apart as a classic in its own right. | Read review |
| GamesRadar+ | Josh West | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 captures the spirit of ’90s cartoons and channels it into an imaginative, inventive adventure that never fails to find heart and humor in every one of its consciousness-expanding encounters. | Read review |
| GameWatcher | Bogdan Robert Mateș | 9 / 10 | 08-31-2021 | The psychedelia-infused trip inside the Psi King’s Sensorium. | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Shubhankar Parijat | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is bigger, better, and more ambitious than its predecessor in every way imaginable. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | David Flynn | 100 / 100 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is the perfect sequel. It builds on everything the original game was while adding its own unique spin on gameplay and story. The overworld is a joy to explore and the levels are more stylish and dazzling than ever before with fantastic controls. It’s a fantastic experience that will stick with you, and has a ton to see and do. | Read review |
| GBAtemp | Prans Dunn | 8.5 / 10 | 09-03-2021 | Raz makes a triumphant return in Psychonauts 2 which delivers a great time in trippy minds. | Read review |
| Generación Xbox | Pedro del Pozo | 9.2 / 10 | Psychonauts 2 is undoubtedly the best title Double Fine has produced in its 20 years of life. A unique, original and, above all, fun adventure. | Read review | |
| God is a Geek | Lyle Carr | 9.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | 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. | Read review |
| GRYOnline.pl | Karol Laska | 9 / 10 | 04-01-2022 | If gameplay that’s unremarkable at best doesn’t distract you from a very original artistic & design direction that’s painfully necessary in the video games business. And that makes Psychonauts 2 praiseworthy! | Read review |
| Guardian | Keza MacDonald | 5 / 5 stars | 08-25-2021 | The warped worlds inside people’s minds are yours to explore in a bold and beautiful sequel that never fails to surprise | Read review |
| GuiltyBit | Marcos Casal | 7.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is the full definition of a sequel to the original Psychonauts. So much so that it feels very conservative, even though there are palpable improvements in terms of content, shape, and polish. I haven’t been able to get on Tim Schafer’s new boat, but if you loved his previous works, Psychonatus 2 is hopelessly for you. | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Kyle LeClair | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | While Psychonauts 2 is an impressive platformer, it doesn’t match the perfection of the original. | Read review |
| Hey Poor Player | Andrew Thornton | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | After more than fifteen years, Raz’s return is everything fans could have hoped for. It tells a wonderful story about how we have to learn from our mistakes and continue to grow while keeping the humor we expect from any Double Fine production. Now and then, the control scheme can be a minor pain, but most of the time, it plays like a dream with a level of polish few games launch with anymore. Psychonauts 2 is one of the best games of 2021. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another sixteen years to team back up with the Psychonauts. | Read review |
| Hobby Consolas | David Martinez | 90 / 100 | 08-23-2021 | A brilliant platformer, both in design and imagination. It has captivated us by the variety in development, the sense of humor and its way of transforming mental processes into elements | Read review |
| IGN | Tom Marks | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Even with a few rough edges, Psychonauts 2 is just about everything I could have hoped for from this long-awaited sequel. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Stefano Castagnola | 8.8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a return to form for Double Fine Productions and a worthy successor to Razputin’s first adventure. | Read review |
| IGN Middle East | Mohamed Shorby | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is the best extension of a successful first part, the game has maintained its main ideas and was able to build on it and offer more ideas and additions both in terms of the distinctive story presented to us by Tim Schaefer or even the style of play and design of the distinctive and fun stages, made us in front of one of the best titles of 2021 and perhaps the best Xbox Series games to date. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | Rafa Del Río | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is one of the most personal and special games I’ve played in a long time. The best work of a company with great works led by a Tim Schafer who invests everything learned in his ten years working at LucasArts and his twenty years at Double Fine to sign his best work as a writer and developer. | Read review |
| Jump Dash Roll | Matt Jordan | 9 / 10 | 08-31-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a great sequel which lives up to the lofty ambitions that the original struggled to execute. There’s a lot of brains | Read review |
| JVL | Kikitoès | 9 / 10 | 08-29-2021 | If you are looking for a fresh and pleasant experience to go through without taking the cabbage, Psychonauts 2 is the ideal candidate. Artistically inspired, rather beautiful, funny and generous whether in terms of content, or gameplay mechanics, you never get bored. Inventive and creative, Double Fine has cared for its foal in every detail, from writing to environments to collectibles, must do it. | Read review |
| KeenGamer | Bryce McWilliams | 9 / 10 | 09-11-2021 | In Psychonauts 2, Razputin Aquato, psychic spy in training, must venture into the minds of the most powerful psychics in the world to solve a mystery that might be much closer to home than anyone suspects. On this colorful journey into complicated psyches, Raz will also help his friends confront some of their traumas and emotional baggage. It’s thoughtful, but never loses the humor fans loved from the original. | Read review |
| Kinda Funny Games | Kinda Funny Games Daily | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | Video Review. | Read review |
| Kotaku | Zack Zwiezen | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 isn’t about gunning down the big boss at the end and cheering over their dead body. It’s about understanding that even the biggest asshole is still a person, and deep down they may just need some help. We all need some help sometimes. The key is asking for it. Today, in 2021, it’s easy to look around and see people who seem cruel and evil, and to assume they are lost souls, not worth saving. Psychonauts 2 says otherwise. It says that everyone can change. I’m not sure I fully believe that, but I’ll be damned if that’s not one hell of a hopeful message. | Read review |
| LevelUp | Pedro Pérez Cesari | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 exists and it is almost a miracle that we have it in our hands. It seemed that its genre was dead to many and the failure of its first installment made us understand why no money-gowned wanted to touch the franchise even with a stick. That said, the collective effort of the community; the enormous talent and heart of the Double Fine team and the work of Xbox Game Studios made it happen. It’s an excellent game that I’ll be grateful for proving that 3D platformers can be more than just toys for kids. | Read review |
| Luis Alamilla | Luis Alamilla | 9.5 / 10 | 08-27-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is one of the best games I’ve played and is an easy contender for my game of the year so far. It tackles various themes of mental health while incorporating humorous and well thought out writing, fantastic worlds to explore with the refined tools to do so under one of the most iconic presentations I’ve seen in a game. Psychonauts 2 is not just a worthy successor to its cult classic but it elevates the platforming genre to be more than just a cute character who collects things and saves the day. It’s an excellent example of Double Fine’s pedigree in the industry and their best game to date. | Read review |
| M3 | P-A Knutsson | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Despite the shortcomings, the World of Psychonauts is worth a visit. Sure, we had hoped for a more refined experience, but there is still a lot to like here – and the noisy fans who have longed for years for the sequel will be pleased. | Read review |
| Marooners’ Rock | Matt Kowalski | 9.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | The game offers players a variety of ways to play Psychonauts 2 and makes it accessible for most gamers. | Read review |
| Merlin’in Kazanı | Samet Basri Taşlı | 90 / 100 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 manages to do justice to the long wait. A great adventure that appeals to players of all ages awaits you. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | A great sequel that is just as surreal and imaginative as the original and manages to be both a silly comedy platformer and a surprisingly affecting character study of regret and lost love. | Read review |
| MonsterVine | Spencer Legacy | 5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is simply one of the most charming and enjoyable games I’ve played in ages. The story-telling is nothing short of brilliant, the gameplay has been greatly improved upon, and the presentation is astounding. There are a few bugs that need patching, but that doesn’t stop Psychonauts 2 from being one of the best games of this generation. | Read review |
| New Game Network | Ben Thomas | 81 / 100 | 08-26-2021 | Fantastic trips through colorful minds and a robust narrative help to make Psychonauts 2 an enjoyable adventure and a faithful sequel. | Read review |
| Niche Gamer | NECRO XIII | 10 / 10 | 09-01-2021 | Overall, 16 years later nets you 16 hours worth of content at it’s base. Buying this for $60 USD is a steal for the spectacular time; even if you play this via Xbox Game Pass, it’s worth every penny. The message provided in this game helps you come to terms with things in your own life. In the world we live in, we need something like this that moves us to communicate with each other again. | Read review |
| NoobFeed | Adam Siddiqui | 95 / 100 | 09-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 has been a long time coming and was well worth the wait. An outstanding action platformer that captures the magic of the original while improving on many of its core features. Double Fine has done an outstanding job of remaining true to the original while modernizing certain aspects to better complement changing tastes. Psychonauts 2 is simply brilliant and one of the best games of 2021. | Read review |
| Oyungezer Online | Gülhis Canpolat | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a unique, unique game. He’s already one of the biggest contenders for The Game of the Year. | Read review |
| Paste Magazine | Garrett Martin | 9.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Too many of these games fall into that witless trap of thinking something “serious” and “important” must also be humorless and dark, unrelentingly grim and fatalistic. Psychonauts 2 reveals that for the nonsense that it is, showing that you can more powerfully and realistically depict emotion when you use warmth, humor, humanity-the whole scope of emotions that make us who we are. Psychonauts 2 asks “how does it feel to feel?”, and then shows the answer to us-and the games industry at large-in brilliant colors. | Read review |
| PC Gamer | Matthew Castle | 89 / 100 | 08-23-2021 | Improved platforming underpins a glorious return to one of gaming’s most inventive and empathic universes. | Read review |
| PC Invasion | Andrew Farrell | 9.5 / 10 | 08-25-2021 | A tour-de-force of sumptious visuals and world-class game design come together for a truly impressive feast for the senses. Psychonauts 2 is a must-play title for fans and newcomers alike. | Read review |
| PCGamesN | Dustin Bailey | 9 / 10 | A rare sequel that improves on the original in every meaningful way. It’s packed to the brim with beautiful worlds and surprising interactions, and its colourful cast is equal parts funny, believable, and sympathetic. Double Fine is rarely wide of the mark, but this time it hit the bullseye. | Read review | |
| PCMag | Will Greenwald | 4 / 5 stars | Psychonauts is back with a charming, challenging, thoroughly entertaining sequel that will please 3D platformer fans and especially anyone who loved the first game. | Read review | |
| Player2.net.au | Unknown | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | the more I reflect on what makes it great, the more I’m convinced that this game is actually just amazing. It has such a colourful cast of characters, a fun spy plot, smooth mechanics and a whole lot of heart, and I personally couldn’t ask for anything more. | Read review |
| PlayStation LifeStyle | Rebecca Smith | 9 / 10 | After 16 years of waiting, though, Psychonauts 2 more than makes up for lost time. It’s a glorious return for the franchise, one that should keep existing fans happy while being perfectly welcoming for new players. Let’s just hope we won’t have to wait a similar amount of time for the third game. | Read review | |
| PlayStation Universe | Sebastian Hawden | 9.5 / 10 | 09-01-2021 | Witty, charming and full of character, Psychonauts 2 manages to keep what made the original so memorable, and add worthwhile additions to improve the experience. It tackles dark subjects with tact, humour and is like nothing else on the market. There are not enough of these types of games these days and Psychonauts 2 stands tall, proud, and nearly alone in its field. | Read review |
| Polygon | Ewan Wilson | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | Psychonaut 2’s levels are some of the most inventive in the platforming genre. There’s an over-the-top cooking game show where you carry food stuff through a giant platforming gauntlet. There’s also a humongous mailroom sorting office where you jump from flying envelope to flying envelope, all the while avoiding the vortex of letters below. You’ll visit highly imaginative, gravity-bending dreamscape after dreamscape. | Read review |
| PowerUp! | Leo Stevenson | 9.7 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a masterpiece of game design, narrative and subtle, yet powerful storytelling. It is a must-play. | Read review |
| Press Start | James Mitchell | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 brings together classic platforming, an engaging story and well realised combat in a package that feels reminiscent of the best platformers of decades past. Even better, it does this with a visual flair that’s unmatched by its contemporaries. It might be more of the same, but given how unique it is, that’s hardly a bad thing. | Read review |
| Push Square | Stuart Gipp | 9 / 10 | 08-30-2021 | The 20 or so hours we spent completing Psychonauts 2 saw us indulging in plentiful side quests and content, simply to spend more and more time in a world we still don’t feel entirely done with. There are very few games that offer an experience as good as this, with ingenious level design and heavier themes that never feel sludgy or, more importantly, preachy. Brilliant aesthetics go hand in hand with tremendous gameplay here and it’s a genuine delight to say that it’s all been worth the wait. It’s so good, in fact, that we now want the original Psychonauts to be remade in this engine, with this fidelity, in order to finally do it justice. Psychonauts 2 is consistently creative, enormously fun to play, visually inventive and spectacular and spins a cracking yarn to boot. | Read review |
| Rectify Gaming | Dave Rodriguez | 8.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is not just a worthy sequel to the original, it’s Double Fine’s finest outing yet. | Read review |
| Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Alice Bell | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | It is playful. It’s fun. It’s climbing inside a giant wedding cake, riding flying letters, taking part in a giant cooking show with eggs that are excited to be boiled kind of fun. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | Unknown | 10 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is back to set a new standard for platforming games, with an amazing art style and unique creative ideas that led to a diverse and rich experience that you can’t find anywhere else. it is one of the best games of the year if not one of the best experiences of this generation. | Read review |
| Saving Content | Evan Rowe | 4 / 5 stars | 11-24-2021 | Minor shortcomings aside, Psychonauts 2 is the rare sequel that succeeds in living up to the hype and delivering on the promise set up by its predecessor and many years of anticipation. It is such a treat to spend more time in this world, and I will still staunchly argue that Psychonauts is the best stuff Doublefine has ever created. I love that this exists, I love that a whole new generation of gamers are getting the chance to experience this magnificent world for the first time, and it is so refreshing to see a game with so much creativity get the time, attention, and budget it deserves. Psychonauts 2 is a heartfelt, joyous adventure that ups the ante in every way, and I think it’s a must play experience for anybody who loves a good adventure. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Joseph Fonseca | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a must-play for anyone interested in what modern platformers can do and what a compelling comedy adventure looks like in 2021. | Read review |
| SECTOR.sk | Peter Dragula | 8 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | It was worth to wait for this sequel. The game is huge, the gameplay is catchy, only the visuals aren’t that good. | Read review |
| Shacknews | TJ Denzer | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | It’s wild to think how many years of development are here in this game, but the end product is undeniably polished and top-to-bottom good gaming. | Read review |
| Sirus Gaming | Carri Grant Raffy Abenoja | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 deals about being left alone and losing loved ones, amongst many other serious mental conditions. Playing through can be a burden to one’s chest. The game got personal to me. Especially at the latter parts where emotions are flowing through every NPC’s past. I suggest you take a breather as much as you can. And as much as I enjoyed the game, I had to rest after every boss battle and the following closure to most worlds. The first game sold fewer copies than intended when it launched. And with the fun, I had playing through Psychonauts 2, here’s to hoping it gets the attention it deserves. | Read review |
| Skill Up | Ralph Panebianco | Recommended | Video Review | Read review | |
| Slant Magazine | Steven Scaife | 4 / 5 stars | Psychonauts 2 in particular is a game of surprising psychological insight, full of rich, flawed characters at the end of their ropes. If so much of this game is a reiteration of what worked about its predecessor, it functions as a reminder for just how much of the medium is still catching up to Psychonauts. | Read review | |
| SomHráč.sk | Martin Kubeš | 90 / 100 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a pleasant surprise and one of the best games of the year so far. It’s full of ideas, details, humor and it takes a long time to beat it. It took 16 years, but the Psychonauts are back and better than ever. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Unknown | 8.3 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is easily one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass and a must-play for the subscribers. It’s a safe and traditional second entry in the franchise, but nonetheless a new gem in Tim Schafer’s crown. | Read review |
| Stevivor | Steve Wright | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | I couldn’t help but giggle at its stupid jokes and wackiness. | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Riley Constantine | 7.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is an imaginitve platforming experience and a great narrative driven game that is unfortunately marred by a few technical issues. | Read review |
| Telegraph | Dan Silver | 4 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | Prepare to go insane in the brain with one of the year’s most imaginative interactive experiences | Read review |
| The Escapist | Andrei Pechalin | 5 / 5 stars | 08-26-2021 | There is something cathartic, or perhaps simply pleasantly escapist, in the idea that I can resolve the mess in my head with the sweep of a hand. Even if Psychonauts 2 looks like a psychedelic fever dream, after 18 months of being intermittently locked indoors, festering in bad thoughts, accumulating emotional baggage, and losing track of any nuggets of wisdom I might have had, it is also a power fantasy that feels especially relevant. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Paolo Besser | 9.4 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | The very existence of Psychonauts 2 demonstrates that good ideas have to overcome a thousand difficulties before being realized, but in the end they somehow impose themselves. It took years for the first chapter to overcome people’s skepticism but, day after day, it has built up a fan base so large that we were finally able to play with a full-fledged, high budget sequel. And it’s beautiful. Pleasant, original, colorful, compelling. Do you need more adjectives to be convinced? | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Stefan L | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | A decade and a half on from the original, Psychonauts 2 is a worthy successor to Double Fine’s cult classic. The platforming and combat gameplay is tighter, the world design is as varied and inventive as ever, and while the story is full of twists, turns and comedic moment, there’s also a wonderful sense of empathy and tenderness throughout. Simply put, Psychonauts 2 has been worth the wait. | Read review |
| TheXboxHub | Darren Edwards | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-07-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is an absolute hoot from start to finish. It showcases a lot of what makes video games great, combining skillful and emotive storytelling with inventive gameplay that above all else, is loads of fun. Put simply, it’s the best game I have played this year. | Read review |
| TrueAchievements | Luke Albiges | 4.5 / 5 stars | Both as a sequel and as a standalone game, Psychonauts 2 is superb. | Read review | |
| TrueGaming | Unknown | 8.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Will players overlook Psychonauts 2 like they did with its predecessor? we certainly hope not, as this is a unique and big adventure, and its obvious that a lot of effort went into creating it. pacing is a bit slow though. | Read review |
| TrustedReviews | Alastair Stevenson | 4.5 / 5 stars | Psychonauts 2 is a fun, endearing puzzle platformer full of quirky challenges and entertaining dialogue. If you’re a fan of the original, or just enjoy platformers, Psychonauts 2 is a great purchase. The only downside is that its graphics and combat mechanics can feel a little outdated. | Read review | |
| Twinfinite | Ed McGlone | 4.5 / 5 stars | Psychonauts 2 is an absolute joy to play. It’s hard to put down not only because it’s a solid game from top to bottom, but also because it’s just so damn charming. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Raz and his crew of zany characters, and I imagine that just about anyone who decides to pick up Psychonauts 2 will feel the same way. | Read review | |
| Unboxholics | Γιώργος Πρίτσκας | Recommended | 09-01-2021 | Once in a while comes a game that reminds you of the bottomless potential of this medium. A game that escapes the molds of the industry and “unfolds” without reins into something authentically its own. With a gigantic heart and inexhaustible imagination, Psychonauts 2 never ceases to amaze from the first to the last minute. A modern classic fairy tale. | Read review |
| VG247 | Tyler Rowe | Recommended | 08-23-2021 | This was a review I picked up on a whim, looking to try something new, and now I’m walking away with a strong new game of the year contender. Psychonauts 2 is fun, funny, heartfelt, and handles its themes with a deft and gentle hand. Thanks to its great recapping, anyone can play regardless of their history with the series, and I recommend you do! | Read review |
| VGC | Jordan Middler | 4 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | It’s always a risk creating a sequel to a cult classic so long after the original, but in Psychonauts 2, Double Fine hasn’t only made a game that respects the original and takes its characters to new heights, it has set itself, and new owner Microsoft, up with a platforming franchise that can thrive for years to come. | Read review |
| Video Chums | A.J. Maciejewski | 8.5 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | As far as 3D platformers go, you certainly can’t get much more consistently varied than Psychonauts 2 with its trippy environments and nifty psychic abilities. Throw in an excellent cast of characters and memorable story and you’re left with one heck of an adventure. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Josh Wise | 8 / 10 | 08-27-2021 | The sequel, by definition, cannot pack the same shock, but it arrives bearing new gifts. | Read review |
| Washington Post | Christopher Byrd | Recommended | After traversing nearly a dozen brains, I, along with Raz, couldn’t help but feel empathy for people along all walks of life. The moral of the story, delivered rather obviously by Raz’s supervisor Hollis Forsythe, is that institutions are flawed, people are flawed, but we are all just trying our best. | Read review | |
| WayTooManyGames | Heidi Hawes | 9.5 / 10 | 11-05-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is not just a rare example of a sequel that delivers an experience to rival or outperform its predecessor, it’s truly a masterpiece in its own right. | Read review |
| Wccftech | Unknown | 9.5 / 10 | Psychonauts 2 delivers on everything it madly promises. That includes old school platforming with new school precision, an impressive visual style that never falters, and a world begging to be explored. | Read review | |
| We Got This Covered | Eric Hall | 3.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | The universe of Psychonauts 2 is as creative and mind-bending as you would expect, but the 3D platforming still feels rooted in the past. | Read review |
| WellPlayed | Kieron Verbrugge | 10 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | 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. | Read review |
| Windows Central | Alexander Cope | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a wonderful, masterfully crafted platformer exploring complex themes while providing tons of fun gameplay. It retains the movie-quality writing, thoughtful character development, and artistic expression of the original Psychonauts while refining the platforming and combat systems. | Read review |
| Worth Playing | Chris “Atom” DeAngelus | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | In pretty much every possible way, Psychonauts 2 is a direct sequel to the first game. It’s perhaps prettier and more polished than it would have been if it had come out a decade ago, but the feel and tone are spot-on. It probably won’t change your mind if the original Psychonauts didn’t capture your heart. If it did, though, Psychonauts 2 is a charming, funny and incredibly welcome visit with some old friends. The gameplay is sometimes too straightforward for its own good, but everything else more than makes up for it. If you’re looking for a charming platformer with its own style and sense of humor, Psychonauts 2 delivers in spades. Here’s hoping it won’t be another decade before we see another entry in the series. | Read review |
| Xbox Achievements | Matt Lorrigan | 90 / 100 | 08-25-2021 | We may have been waiting a decade and a half for a sequel, but Double Fine’s efforts haven’t been in vain | Read review |
| Zoomg | افشین پیروزی | 9.5 / 10 | 09-23-2021 | Perhaps the best description for Psychonauts 2, is to say that the new production of Double Fine Studios is exactly what has made the video game industry popular. Psychonauts 2 is literally a fun game, and its various elements, from its splendid and clever story to the overall process with an unparalleled variety of sweet stages and challenges in the struggles and aspects of platforming, go hand in hand to keep the audience entertained in the best possible way in a nearly 15-hour experience. | Read review |
| ZTGD | Ken McKown | 9 / 10 | 08-23-2021 | Psychonauts 2 is a masterclass in design. Some of the levels in the game will stick with me for another 16 years easily. I hate that it took this long for Tim Schafer and his team to get the chance to make this sequel, but it was truly worth the wait. Fans of the original are in for a treat. Anyone with Game Pass should not hesitate to download this game. This is now on my short list of best of the year, and I cannot wait to see what Double Fine does now with an even larger budget. | Read review |
Awards & Recognition
RECOGNITION
Psychonauts 2 Credits
CREDITS
DIRECTOR(S):
Tim Schafer
PRODUCER(S):
Andy Alamano, Malena Annable
DESIGNER(S):
Seth Marinello, Zak McClendon
PROGRAMMER(S):
Kee Chi, Oliver Franzke
ARTIST(S):
Lisette Titre-Montgomery, Scott Campbell, Nathan Stapley, Peter Chan, Emily Johnstone, Levi Ryken
WRITER(S):
Tim Schafer, Erik Wolpaw
COMPOSER(S):
Peter McConnell
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