As we normally do, we wait until the year is actually over with before crowning the annual champion of best game of the year.
If you haven't played Psychonauts ever, please do by the way (it's probably a dollar or less on every console known to humankind), then get ready for the strangest, most enigmatic adventure to blow your summer camping mind. A true treat that focuses on platforming and character development as well as story. So focused on details in fact, that the set design is quite nearly another entity(ies) unto itself. This game is like one of those expertly crafted themed cakes on T.V. that blows your mind and defies physics all at once. Psychonauts 2 is that delicious topsy curvy cake and yes, you should eat it and never feel bad for destroying that incredible spectacle of a cake that took days to create. That's Psychonauts.
In a more grounded reality, it's the sequel to the a psychic powered summer camp game that takes place at a more professional summer camp known as a hidden secret base. Hopping into different minds to further solve the mystery at hand. With over 16 years' later we finally get the sequel to the beloved game. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful this game truly is and exceeds as a sequel in every way. The charm and attention to detail ooze out of all crevasses to provide you with pure joy.
Why does Psychonauts 2 win over every other game released this year? Love. It shows in every facet from start to finish that this was made not just by a generic developer, but one who cares about every detail from design, to character personality and development, to story, to progressing the game from what was in the first to a game that fits modern day expectations. I really couldn't say enough positive things about this game. You must play it to truly experience that wonder, and that love. Now is this a game that holds up even if you didn't just wait 16 years for the sequel? Still a pro-founding yes. For those that have never played the original, it may be a bit rough to catch up story-wise, but there should be enough present in the beginning slides to get you there.
Why this beats the competition...
In a psycho-nut-shell, and keep in mind that this is our opinion (as all GOTY awards are). There were too many flaws in every other title that held it back in some way or another. Again, opinion. But to briefly negate the "top" games of the year elsewhere here's a sarcastic sh*tty rhyme to calm you down...
Halo Infinite was finite and bland even after another year, oh dear. Resident Evil Village was nice but four pieces of game stitched together as well as Ethan's hand. Deathloop looped us out of it. Metroid Dread got too gimmicky with the dread and felt overstuffed in Santa's dirty sock. It Takes Two divorced us from the pleasure, and we marveled at the surprise that was Guardians of the Galaxy but there were flaws still aplenty. Tales of Arise was one of the better Tales' games, like admitting fine is fine so let's move on to the wine. Scarlet Nexus don't mess with us because you're not nice to us, and finally Kena Bridge of Spirits you were second, that's the spirit!
All yoking aside, thank you to Double Fine for the greatest nauts of psychoing in 2021! We appreciate all of your team's hard work and dedication. We look forward to 2037's release of Psychonauts 3!
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