Psychonauts

"Platforming action gone horribly, horribly RIGHT, and a bit insane."

Not too long ago, Microsoft, bringer of such "classics" like Azurik: Rise of Perathia and Kabuki Warriors, stayed with this strategy and pulled the plug on Tim Schafer's Psychonauts. Why? We may never understand it, but I do know that it allowed for the PS2 version to make its way into my hands. As it is, you should go buy it for yourself, as well! Don't even worry about the review! It's good enough to put your blind faith, and MY reputation on it. for those of you who don't trust me, then I will show you what I mean.

Visuals: 7/10
While the graphics here aren't very impressive, they ARE very trippy. Majesco really threw the paint buckets at this game, because every which way you turn, you will be FLOODED with colors. From dull, to neon, they are aLL here. The game also has some very original character and level designs, and what they lack in visual detail, they MORE than make up for in originality, and could easily be called the best "acid dropping" simulator you will find.

Gameplay: 9/10
First and foremost, let it be known that this game has that classic "Tim Schafer Effect." This alone should make you want this game. If you don't know who Tim Schafer is, you are either too young to remember the golden age of PC adventure games, or you hate video games and every they stand for. Tim Schafer is responsible for Grim Fandango, Monkey Island, and Full Throttle, and this latest game is just as good, if not better, than those.

Psychonauts is, at its core, fantastic platforming action, enhanced by incredibly convenient and and useful powers. Your main character, Raz, starts out as a wannabe psychonaut, with very little at his disposal. But as you progress through the game, he learns things like invisibility, telekinesis, seeing through enemy's eyes, and the always required forcefield/shield. Raz can also swing around on poles, walk tight-ropes, and even do that ledge shimmy which Lara Croft made famous.

Complementing these powers are the CRAZY (no pun intended) unique level designs. None of them are the same, and they are ALL very different in terms of look, feel, and overall design. You'll go blasting, thinking, and floating through this game, without ONCE actually thinking "Man, I gotta do this AGAIN?" and meaning it. I mean honestly. How many times have you played a game where you are in a neon-colored Spanish city that looks like a black-light painting, while trying to avoid a neon-pink bull that terrorizes the streets?

That's what I thought.

Of course, the game does have a few flaws. The frame rate does tend to slow down at times, and the load times are ridiculously long. Also, the camera likes to get lazy, and corners a lot worse than it should. Plus, as much as I love picking random things up for people everywhere I go, there are a few too many things to collect for my tastes.

Story: 10/10
In plain Tim Schafer fashion, the story is like none you've ever seen.

The story starts with a seemingly NORMAL "summer camp" in a forest near a lake.
But you soon learn that this camp is far from normal. This camp is actually a training camp for children with wild psionic powers who wish to become "psychonauts". A psychonaut is a secret agent-type person who has the ability to physically enter the minds of others and fight anything and everything that is causing trouble or drama in their heads.

This story is a GREAT setup for tons of laughs, clever dialogue, and almost unbelievable personalities.

For instance, your main character, Raz, as mentioned above who is one of these wannabe psychonauts. He wears a pair of pilot's goggles, and he ran away from the circus at a young age. The thing is: He's the most normal person you'll see in this game.

The story (and its characters) really have a sense of ACTUAL humanity, complete with tragic histories, and collectible "emotional baggage", which is literally a piece of luggage that will sob and cry uncontrollably until you can find its tags.

This is a story that will not be easily forgotten.

Overall Entertainment: 10/10
While the gameplay does have its flaws, the entertainment value for this game is off the charts. Nowadays, there are few games, let alone 3rd person action games, that deliver as much fun and enjoyment that this game does. With an intriguing storyline, fun gameplay, and enjoyable characters, Psychonauts definitely delivers the entertainment that keeps on entertaining.

Overall Score: 9/10
Psychonauts is a rare gem that every fan of gaming in general should try at least once. this is a definite must-buy, and I must say that it's the freshest, most ingenious game I've played in years. Buy it. NOW.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/12/05