LogFAQs > #920226825

#36: Psychonauts

Psychonauts is a classic platformer. I absolutely love the tone- getting weird is the best! I was surprised by how creepy and dark it becomes as I got closer to the end, and not pointlessly so.

It does have some artifacts given its age as well as some design choices. Movement is not truly joyful, as it is in a modern Mario- it is a little finicky, something I would associate more with a ps1 platformer. But in some ways that was a sacrifice made to enable and require the various psychic powers.

The levels are sometimes inscrutable and difficult to progress in- but that is a sacrifice made to enable every level to be completely different.

One in particular was so abstract I could not figure out how to progress- it also happens to be one of the community's favorites. That's the sort of dissonance this game will give you. Basically, don't be afraid to look up something in a FAQ if you're truly stuck.

The final levels are blisteringly difficult in fair and unfair ways- and the fact that this game still has a lives/'game over' system means you can lose a LOT of progress.

Psychonauts is a must-play. It's immensely creative. Despite this, I cannot rank it higher because the gameplay is archaic and the experience at times frustrating- progress is absolutely motivated by story and novelty rather than any immediate fun of the process.

This is important- to feel like a hero you have to feel like you've been tested and put up with some unpleasantness along the way.
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You did indeed stab me in the back. However, you are only level one, whilst I am level 50. That means I should remain uninjured.