It has been a long time coming, but Psychonauts 2 is finally arriving on consoles…hopefully in 2021. While an official release date has still not been announced by developer Double Fine, the fact that the game is even happening is enough for all of the die-hard fans of the original. While initially a flop, Psychonauts garnered an intense cult following since its release in 2005. Players took control of the lovable Raz, as he, in turn, took control and explored the minds of many memorable characters in his pursuit to join the Psychonauts: a band of psychic-powered spies.
While many years have passed, people have replayed Psychonauts numerous times and finally, after fan outcry and fundraising, Tim Schafer and the Double Fine team are finally able to make a sequel a reality. However, with 16 years in the making, there are many things that fans should expect from this new title and hopefully, Psychonauts 2 becomes the dream sequel that everyone has been waiting for.
10 New, Exciting Levels
The original Psychonauts had players dive deep into the minds of bizarre and complex characters, which made way for plenty of unique and one-of-a-kind levels that have stayed with players long after the credits rolled.
Based on the trailer for Psychonauts 2, all bets are off when it comes to what wackiness will await Raz and his friends. Now that Raz will be rolling with the top dogs in the psychic spy network, these new missions are sure to reflect the even more dangerous and mind-bending realities that come with being a Psychonaut.
9 More Tim Schafer Writing Is Always A Good Thing
Tim Schafer is one of the most loved and valued writers in the gaming world. His legacy dates back to his time with LucasArts with games such as Full Throttle and Grim Fandango, leading up to his start of Double Fine with games such as Brutal Legend, Broken Age, and of course, Psychonauts.
Schafer knows how to write characters that are the perfect blend of endearing and hilarious, and puts them in stories that are wholly unique and intriguing. With Psychonauts 2 spending so long in limbo, Schafer must have been itching to write more adventures set in this world.
8 Beautiful Next-Gen Graphics
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of the original Psychonauts is that the graphics don’t hold up all too well. Considering how many Double Fine games have been remastered, it’s a total surprise that Psychonauts hasn’t received a graphical update.
Thankfully, Psychonauts 2 will be able to show the true visual potential of its world with modern graphics that highlight the immaculate character design and unique locations. If the sequel proves to be a success, could fans perhaps expect a remaster of the first game? At this point, anything is possible.
7 All-New Characters
While many of the beloved characters are bound to return (Coach Oleander, Sasha, Dogen, Lili, the Milkman, the list goes on and on), Psychonauts 2 will undoubtedly introduce new characters for players to fall in love with.
Be it new Psychonauts, students, villains, or anything in between, there is no doubt that Double Fine will be able to recapture that magic of the original game’s characters. Keep your fingers crossed for Raz receiving a psychic invitation to Super Smash Bros. in the potential future.
6 VR Support
Psychonauts fans were pleasantly surprised to see Double Fine briefly return to the world of Psychonauts with the PlayStation VR exclusive Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin. This game had players step straight into the world of psychic espionage as Raz, bridging the gap between the first game and the upcoming sequel.
It was certainly a surprising move, but it was nonetheless well received and very appropriate considering the subject matter of entering the minds of subjects combining with VR technology. Psychonauts 2 could quite possibly have VR support, most likely for select portions of the game or a completely separate mode aside from the main story.
5 Xbox Exclusive Content
In a surprise move for the start of the next console generation, Double Fine was purchased by Microsoft to produce exclusive content for Xbox. Players were initially concerned that Psychonauts 2 would turn into an Xbox exclusive title, but Double Fine has assured fans that the long-awaited sequel would still be coming to all current consoles.
However, knowing the history of trying to sell a new console, it is very likely that Microsoft will get Double Fine to create Xbox exclusive content for Psychonauts 2 to entice players to play on their console. Whether Double Fine will do this or not is another question, but hopefully, the exclusivity of the game isn’t too jarring of a difference between consoles.
4 New Voice Actors
Due to the cult-classic status that Psychonauts has received over the years, many gamers and entertainment figures have expressed their adoration for the game. While many of the original voice actors will be returning, it is fair to expect a little more celebrity inclusion in the voice cast.
One apparently confirmed inclusion is Jack Black, who was the star of Double Fine’s under-appreciated gem Brutal Legend. Due to their great working relationship, it is very likely that Jack Black will hop on board for the studio’s long-awaited sequel, although an Eddie Riggs cameo is probably out of the question. After Psychonauts 2, fans are bound to request a Brutal Legend sequel, and they wouldn’t be wrong.
3 New Psychic Powers
While the original game gave players a wide variety of fun and inventive psychic powers to work with, Psychonauts 2 is only bound to push the envelope even further. Raz is going to be working with his previous teachers more closely in the sequel, so more advanced techniques are sure to make players excited, both in combat scenarios and for puzzle solving.
The possibilities are endless in the psychic realm, and with the more bizarre level designs that are coming, the variety is only going to be more welcoming for new ideas to flourish.
2 Downloadable Content
Everyone’s hope is that Psychonauts 2 will launch as a totally complete package, and after a 16-year wait, that’s only fair. Even though Double Fine will certainly produce a totally solid main story experience, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to include additional DLC packages.
Whether it is additional levels, a new story mode, more playable characters, or a Grim Fandango crossover, quality DLC content would be a welcome addition after players have beaten the game many times over.
1 The Truth About Raz
The question has lingered since the release of the original Psychonauts: what is the deal with Raz’s parents? Raz was raised by strict acrobat parents who scolded him for his psychic abilities, and he eventually ran away from them to become a Psychonaut.
Raz comes from a cursed family, and it has caused him plenty of misfortune throughout his life, but fans have been wondering if the sequel will dive into the family drama between Raz’s family and the Galochios: the acrobat family who placed the curse on them. Alas, only time will tell if this point in history will be fleshed out into something more sinister. Hopefully, fans won’t have too much longer to experience this, and everything else that Psychonauts 2 is bound to offer.
