TLDR: A charming 3D platformer, with great humor and Saturday-morning cartoon vibes that suffers from PS2-era jank and questionable point-and-click style game design
It is clear to see that Tim Schafer was the creative director on this game, as it has many storytelling and gameplay issues that are common in point-and-click adventures, which is the primary game genre Tim Schafer worked on before Psychonauts. This becomes especially apparent in the asylum section, where three entire levels are dedicated to unimportant side characters just to obtain a random trinket from each of them in order to create a bad disguise that can fool a guard with impaired sight and allow you to proceed through an elevator. Conveniently, this guard is the only person in the entire game who is immune to all psychic powers, so confronting him directly won't work. I cannot emphasize enough how unimportant these characters are. They can be removed from the game without affecting the overall story. Despite spending so much time on these side characters, one of the main villains, "Dr. Loboto," doesn't have a level dedicated to him. It's a strange allocation of development resources.
There are some old-school PS2 era quirks, such as being able to bypass entire level sections by levitating past them or encountering very unintuitive puzzle solutions (especially in the milkman level), so don't hesitate to consult a guide if you get stuck.
Despite this, the platforming feels rewarding, and the hub level of the campgrounds is particularly engaging to explore. Each mind level also has a unique aesthetic design and gameplay gimmick that allows things to stay fresh and makes you wonder how the next level could surprise you. I was also impressed by the manipulation of gravity in some levels, something that was popularized much later by Super Mario Galaxy.
Furthermore, I want to emphasize the immense charm that permeates the entire game. It feels like a playable cartoon in the vein of Gravity Falls, long before Gravity Falls even existed. This means that it is a game designed for children but can still be fully enjoyed by adults, thanks to various jokes that are specifically tailored to them. The stylized graphics, which still hold up well today, contribute to this charm.
Lastly, I want to highlight the attention to detail that was put into Psychonauts. Small things, such as how each character in the game perceives the protagonist differently when you look through their eyes using clairvoyance, showcase the love and care that went into crafting this game.
Overall, if you can overlook the PS2-era jank and some questionable point-and-click style game design, and if you're looking for a retro 3D-platformer with great humor and Saturday-morning cartoon vibes, then I can wholeheartedly recommend Psychonauts.
It is clear to see that Tim Schafer was the creative director on this game, as it has many storytelling and gameplay issues that are common in point-and-click adventures, which is the primary game genre Tim Schafer worked on before Psychonauts. This becomes especially apparent in the asylum section, where three entire levels are dedicated to unimportant side characters just to obtain a random trinket from each of them in order to create a bad disguise that can fool a guard with impaired sight and allow you to proceed through an elevator. Conveniently, this guard is the only person in the entire game who is immune to all psychic powers, so confronting him directly won't work. I cannot emphasize enough how unimportant these characters are. They can be removed from the game without affecting the overall story. Despite spending so much time on these side characters, one of the main villains, "Dr. Loboto," doesn't have a level dedicated to him. It's a strange allocation of development resources.
There are some old-school PS2 era quirks, such as being able to bypass entire level sections by levitating past them or encountering very unintuitive puzzle solutions (especially in the milkman level), so don't hesitate to consult a guide if you get stuck.
Despite this, the platforming feels rewarding, and the hub level of the campgrounds is particularly engaging to explore. Each mind level also has a unique aesthetic design and gameplay gimmick that allows things to stay fresh and makes you wonder how the next level could surprise you. I was also impressed by the manipulation of gravity in some levels, something that was popularized much later by Super Mario Galaxy.
Furthermore, I want to emphasize the immense charm that permeates the entire game. It feels like a playable cartoon in the vein of Gravity Falls, long before Gravity Falls even existed. This means that it is a game designed for children but can still be fully enjoyed by adults, thanks to various jokes that are specifically tailored to them. The stylized graphics, which still hold up well today, contribute to this charm.
Lastly, I want to highlight the attention to detail that was put into Psychonauts. Small things, such as how each character in the game perceives the protagonist differently when you look through their eyes using clairvoyance, showcase the love and care that went into crafting this game.
Overall, if you can overlook the PS2-era jank and some questionable point-and-click style game design, and if you're looking for a retro 3D-platformer with great humor and Saturday-morning cartoon vibes, then I can wholeheartedly recommend Psychonauts.