A game deserving a second chance
Reviews of games years after their release are probably scored lower than they were when they were originally released. Graphics, sound, and gameplay features evolve leaving the old games in the dust, and few titles remain as playable as they once were.
This is not the case with Pyschonauts. Granted, when the game was originally release, it was not an overlooked classic, but it was 'critically acclaimed.' However, many games receive 'critcally acclaimed' status and they are not for everyone. My first attempt at Psychonauts several years ago did not last long as the early collect-a-thon worried me that the entire game was going to be like that and I left after only an hour or two.
I recently replayed the game through completion in response to 1UP.com's 1UP FM podcast, and it was an extremely satisfying experience. The graphics and sound in the game are still sharp, and voice work is lively and humorous. Levels are varied, vibrant, and extremely well designed. Platorming in the game is as good as can be expected in a 3D platformer, and this platforming is the only thing that keeps me from giving the game a five-star review.
The final level of the game (the Meat Circus) has platforming portions in it that are extremely frustrating, and are not in scale with other platforming portions of the game. That said, this is my only gripe about the game, and as a constant complainer that is a pretty good review (I would make the same review of Super Mario Bros. but swap 'the Meat Circus' with 'World 8-3'). For the low price and easy acquisition of this title, anybody reading this who has not played/finished the game should give it a second chance.
