Psychonauts

 PlayStation 2
Psychonauts Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 109 Ratings

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  • Summary: Psychonauts is a wildly surreal action adventure game where personal paranormal powers are unlocked in order to plunge into the minds of bizarre characters. Journey deep into these crazy worlds of infinite possibility to thwart the secret plan of an evil madman and realize the ultimate dreamPsychonauts is a wildly surreal action adventure game where personal paranormal powers are unlocked in order to plunge into the minds of bizarre characters. Journey deep into these crazy worlds of infinite possibility to thwart the secret plan of an evil madman and realize the ultimate dream of joining an elite force of psychic superheroes, the Psychonauts. Delve into people's minds as Raz, a powerful young cadet at psychic summer camp. While working on his levitation merit badge, Raz discovers that someone is kidnapping psychic children and stealing their brains. In order to foil this evil plot and earn the title of Psychonaut, Raz must project himself into the minds of one bizarre character after another to battle their nightmares and mental demons. He does all this while continuing to earn his psychic merit badges in Telekinesis, Clairvoyance, Pyrokinesis and more.… Expand
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Psychonauts Gameplay Movie 8

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Console Gameworld
    95
    A solid, traditional platformer made extraordinary through immersive narrative, a whimsical setting, and sheer creativity.
  2. Worth Playing
    91
    A small issue I had with the game is the replayability; while you can go back and clear out all areas, there is no real payoff for doing so. Even with these minor issues, Psychonauts definitely comes strongly recommended.
  3. PSM Magazine
    90
    The freshest game we've played since "Katamari Damacy." [Aug 2005, p.72]
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  4. GamingTrend
    87
    This is one of the best platformers around and easily stands up to the best that Sony puts out every year. I’d love to see a sequel.
  5. Game Informer
    85
    Much of the world's luster, from the textures to the character models, is sadly diminished in this version. [Aug 2005, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Edge Magazine
    80
    It isn’t any kind of reinvention, but a revitalisation, with a style so rich that it becomes an integral part of the game’s substance; Psychonauts breathes imagination and individuality as effortlessly as most games steal from one another. [July 2005, p.84]
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  7. games(TM)
    70
    It’s not revolutionary by any means, nor is it particularly long, but thanks to some clever creative control the game delivers a funny, engrossing and downright weird experience unlike most other platform adventures. [July 2005, p.104]
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See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. JimCorbett
    Dec 3, 2011
    10
    The greatest game ever created. If you don't enjoy this game then you are truly lost in life. Everything about it is spot on and amazing. YouThe greatest game ever created. If you don't enjoy this game then you are truly lost in life. Everything about it is spot on and amazing. You can't ask for more.… Expand
  2. tjriz91
    Dec 7, 2018
    10
    I know there's no point in reviewing this game now that it's been out for well over a decade, but I'm beyond excited for Psychonauts 2. ThisI know there's no point in reviewing this game now that it's been out for well over a decade, but I'm beyond excited for Psychonauts 2. This is pure and simple one of the MOST memorable games I have ever played. There have been many good games over the years, but many of them honestly blur together, and ultimately get buried under the relentless number of great new games. PSYCHONAUTS set itself apart. The atmosphere and story were 100% original and extremely quirky. Moments and characters in that game stuck with me for a while. The game was just as fun well into my twenties when I replayed the game again. It didn't make any innovations in gameplay, but was just perfect for what it was. SUPER EXCITED FOR PSYCHONAUTS 2. FINALLY!… Expand
  4. KavveenK.
    Jul 28, 2005
    10
    This game is SO immature..What's the use of just running around as some whacky character jumping into other's minds..come on they This game is SO immature..What's the use of just running around as some whacky character jumping into other's minds..come on they do need some privacy!!!!!!This is why I love the game so much!!!… Expand
  5. Mister04
    Nov 17, 2021
    10
    Great game
  6. curzon_dax
    Dec 21, 2019
    9
    This game deserves a 9, not a 10, not an 8, and I'll tell you why. First of all it's extremely underrated since it's almost unknown comparedThis game deserves a 9, not a 10, not an 8, and I'll tell you why. First of all it's extremely underrated since it's almost unknown compared to its quality, being one of the best platformer games in the history of gaming, with extremely good variety and even originality and a well all-rounded game that even balances difficulty and length of the game very well. However, it is definitely imperfect because at least the sociological aspect of the game, namely the relations between the characters in the story and the characters themselves while they are are relatively good they are not perfect and at times they try too hard to seem cool but they aren't that cool but it's not that bad at that though.… Expand
  7. MooseReviews
    Jan 12, 2013
    9
    I recently got Psychonauts on PSN, and it was worth all 10 dollars. The atmosphere is wonderful, the characters are great, even if the mainI recently got Psychonauts on PSN, and it was worth all 10 dollars. The atmosphere is wonderful, the characters are great, even if the main character looks like Tim Burton directed a Puffs tissue commercial. Heck, they even give the extras distinct personality's. My only problem lies with the beginning of the last level and the annoyance of "Little Oly". Overall, it is a great value and is on my top ten favorite PS2 games… Expand
  8. PeterL.
    Jul 13, 2005
    1
    Overhyped game. The only thing this title has going for it is a bunch of whacky looking characters. besides that, the dialogue is flat. The Overhyped game. The only thing this title has going for it is a bunch of whacky looking characters. besides that, the dialogue is flat. The voice acting is ok but not great. If you want great, play 'destroy all humans' or watch an episode of Invader Zim (it;s the same voice artist). The levels are poorly designed. The game is also very buggy with multiple glitches and freezing (sometimes the sound just disappears completely). The quests are pointless: by the time the game switches to 'nighttime' and you go fight that huge fish, you'll wonder why you even bothered collecting items for the scavenger hunt. the loading is atrociously long and in the grand old tradiition of games made 20 years ago, this one features the 'huge boss who attacks you 8 different ways but you have to beat him 3 times in a row' cliché. talk about a complete lack of imagination. Not worth a rental, not even worth pirating: this is how bad this game is designed and how long and tediously boring it is. Psychonauts is the 'Daikatana' of platform games.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best PS2 Game of 2005
40
#40 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
92
#92 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005