Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS
Two video games, one old and one new, about children who navigate fantastical mental landscapes. Not to mention literal subway systems. Plus, the shortest “What I Play” in history.
We have a Patreon at www.patreon.com/shallweshow! We are eternally grateful to everyone who has made a pledge.
NEXT WEEK, WE HOPE:
More “Persona 5”
SHOW NOTES:
Email us at shallweshow at gmail
Join the “Shall We Play a Game?” Steam community
Follow the “Shall We Play a Game?” Steam Curators page
April 6, 2017
I am the milkman, my milk is delicious. Special delivery today.
Psychonauts is one of my favorite games. I only played through it a few months ago and I don’t know what took me so long.
Yes there are plenty of problems. I think in some ways the game can unecesssarily obfuscate what you’re supposed to do and there is some wacky adventure game logic at play. I also understand that some of the collectathon parts of the game can be a little off putting but I think it’s more limited than you guys suggested. I did not have any issues with the controls (I played with mouse and keyboard) but that may just be due to more familiarity with platforming games in general.
However, this has to be one of if not the most imaginative games I’ve ever played. To start, the conceit is incredible, a summer camp for training kids to become mental soldiers. Further, it’s a game that constantly tries to reinvent itself with each mind you enter. And it’s a game filled with campiness (a rarity in games), great villains, and plenty of intrigue.
It’s also a game where the narrative and gameplay seamlessly meld together. When you’re playing through the mind of a mad man the level design reflects that. And when you are playing through the mind of someone who has their emotions all bottled up the game reflects that too with an abominable boss hidden away inside.
I think Psychonauts isn’t a spotless game but certainly one of my favorites. It doesn’t always work but there are really moments of true genius and I think it would be a shame to miss out on those moments.
April 6, 2017
I think we agree! I gave it a “play it,” said it was ridiculously imaginative and that JJ was wrong to complain about collecting, with the exception of the one gate to collect 800 arrowheads to get the cobweb sister. I just played the Asylum level and wish I had finished it before the ‘cast. My only regret is not pushing back more vehemently on JJ’s assertion that it fails at the “game parts,” because that’s a formulation that I strongly disagree with, that the narrative and level design and concept is not a “game part.”
April 12, 2017
Any chance for some Nier coverage? Would love to hear your thoughts!
April 25, 2017
I’d like to get to it. Maybe? Maybe!