Episode 17 - Psychonauts

Originally released for the PlayStation 2, Psychonauts achieved its status as a cult classic through bizarre Tim Burton-esque visuals and a novel approach to environmental story telling. Bursting at the seams with Double Fine's eccentric sense of humour, Psychonauts tells the story of Razputin, a young psychic who runs away from the circus in order to prove the worth of his oft-maligned abilities.
While Psychonauts may have mesmerised its audience back in 2005, does this big brained adventure still have what it takes today, or is this one circus act best left avoided?

In order to answer this, Pat and James ask themselves:

• What's in an art style? Psychonauts' presentation is certainly unique but is it effective at delivering its themes to the player or is it just bizarre for the sake of it?
• Most videogames need to put gameplay first and foremost, it is in the name after all. Psychonauts however is a game which eschews this idea in favour of novelty and wonder. Was this sacrifice worthwhile or has this left it a chore to play?
• Mental illness is a difficult subject to tackle, but this game does so with Gusto, albeit with a very silly coat of paint. Does this lack of seriousness harm the exploration of such heavy themes?

Find out in this fortnight's episode of Retro Spectives!

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