I was skeptical initially due to the addition of more combat after the platforming-focused original game, but I'm glad I stuck with it. A beautiful game with a fantastic score and for the majority of the game the platforming is flawless.

My only gripe is, with the addition of more abilities, by the end it feels like the controller doesn't have enough buttons. That led to a few frustrating sections where you have to use all 4 context-sensitive actions assigned to the 2 bumper buttons under pressure.

Review in progress:
A great game despite some noticeable flaws. The art style is incredible and the soundtrack complements it perfectly. The celestial brush mechanic is unique and exploring the beautiful world is enjoyable.

The first few hours are very slow. The pacing definitely could've been better in general. The combat is good, but feels underutilized due to the low difficulty level throughout the adventure. The dungeons all feel very easy compared to what you'd find in a Zelda game.

Issun is a terrible character and drags the whole story down. He's incredibly annoying and unfunny, which is the last thing you want from a comic relief sidekick. I didn't find the story to be particularly memorable and the dialogue is very wordy despite characters not having much to say a lot of the time.

I’m amazed at how successfully this retains and even expands on the handcrafted charm and daring imagination of the first game, while expanding the scope considerably and making everything look shiny and modern. The writing similarly retains the thoughtfulness and humor and empathy of the original game, but feels more impactful and emotionally mature overall.

After an early reintroduction to the original cast and a handful of new interns, I assumed the story would largely follow them, but this ends up really being a story about the founding members of the Psychonauts and resolving old mistakes they made. It’s impressive how much of this game is essentially gamified cognitive behavioral therapy; that sounds annoying and didactic, but one of the many impressive things about the writing is how breezy and playful it all is instead. I also love how interwoven seemingly random plot details end up being, and how packed it is with clever flourishes that could easily be overlooked but really reward paying attention and poking around.

As dessert, I’m really looking forward to the majority of Psychodyssey episodes I have yet to watch, and seeing the messy, fascinating stories that went into creating this wonderful game.

WOW. My expectations for this sequel were already moderately high after having played the first game, as well as me having heard all the praises for this game, and those expectations were still absolutely SHATTERED by this one. It takes literally all the best parts of the first game and not only expands them in a deep and meaningful way, but also those best "parts" aren't parts anymore, because the WHOLE GAME is like that. My favorite levels in the first game were the ones had the most surreal aesthetic, the most memorable characters, and the deepest psychological metaphors, and every level in this sequel is just the very best of the first game cranked up even further, and I appreciate it a lot. Absolute must-play if you like platformers.