It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)Psychonauts, why?(43 posts)(43 posts)
(43 posts)
Pages:
1
2
3
This is my favourite topic
Posted February 03, 2010
My question is why is the game so highly rated and critically acclaimed? Sure the game is oozing with charm, but the actual platforming is tedious and uninspired. I've never been so frustrated with a game in my life as I am with the final levels of it. I want to finish this game so badly, but all my play sessions end with me cursing loudly at my computer screen.
Does the game's creativity really make up for its unforgiving gameplay?
Posted February 03, 2010
avatar
cpugeek13: Does the game's creativity really make up for its unforgiving gameplay?

Obviously it does, since you want to finish the game so badly despite the awful gameplay. ;)
Posted February 03, 2010
Actually ... I kinda agree. It's always been heralded as one of the most underrated PC games but the actual gameplay isn't that great. The camera and controls are far from perfect. The setting, story, comedy bits, etc. are all great though and I guess people are forgiving because of that.
It reminds me a bit of Bioshock except it's worse there. People keep saying how great it is but when I look past the great setting, all I see is a mediocre shooter.
Posted February 04, 2010
I loved it on the xbox back in 2005 or whenever, and yes the charm/style of the game played a big part of it. It was a game I really enjoyed while taking my "medication". I didn't notice any camera or control problems back then, but after replaying it on pc last week yeah there are some problems.
Posted February 04, 2010
I think some of the problem may lie in the fact that certain boss/mini boss gameplay mechanics didn't translate well to keyboard - mouse. For example "the Den Mother" and the mini boss in the post office, etc. For those parts I would just use a joystick which was way easier with less of the frustrating "rinse and repeat" scenarios.
Posted February 04, 2010
avatar
cpugeek13: My question is why is the game so highly rated and critically acclaimed? Sure the game is oozing with charm, but the actual platforming is tedious and uninspired. I've never been so frustrated with a game in my life as I am with the final levels of it. I want to finish this game so badly, but all my play sessions end with me cursing loudly at my computer screen.
Does the game's creativity really make up for its unforgiving gameplay?

I saw a review on it, of course highly rated, and never tried it because I saw through the BS from day one. Now Steam has a sale for the game to be $2 (like a week ago maybe) and I am glad I dodged the bullet. I don't trust review websites or even X-Play anymore. Adam Sessler even said Alpha Centauri sucked! That's enough proof for me that I'm not a mainstream gamer and must rely on common sense when it comes to games like Psychonauts. All the characters look like poorly drawn cartoons my baby cousin can draw up? No thanks.
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I didn't buy it for $2 on the Steam sale. I knew it would ruin my day if I did get it.
Post edited February 04, 2010 by tb87670
Posted February 04, 2010
Yep, I found that it royally sucked, too. Just a mediocre platformer with annoying collect-a-thon elements. The characters did nothing for me either, I just found them irritating. Just a saturday morning cartoon universe with characters trying desperately hard to be "edgy".
I think that everyone wanted to like it so much because it was a Tim Schaefer game.
I found that Brutal Legend was better, and the characters good instead of annoying, but I'd have done without the RTS elements.
Post edited February 04, 2010 by Chihaya
Posted February 04, 2010
Psychonauts does only have mediocre gameplay. The game is just brimming with creative concepts and scenarios though. I guess if you ONLY care about gameplay and insist that controls be completely fluid, then it might not be your game. I love it though. It's much more enjoyable than playing yet another generic armymen/zombie/knights&wizards/spacemarine game.
Posted February 04, 2010
avatar
tb87670: That's enough proof for me that I'm not a mainstream gamer and must rely on common sense when it comes to games like Psychonauts. All the characters look like poorly drawn cartoons my baby cousin can draw up? No thanks.

Psychonauts is anything but a mainstream game. And actually, the art style is one of the game's redeeming qualities. My gripes were more about the actual platforming gameplay mechanics and high difficulty.
Posted February 04, 2010
avatar
Chihaya: I found that Brutal Legend was better, and the characters good instead of annoying, but I'd have done without the RTS elements.

Yeah about from the 2/3 of the game that was shitty RTS, the rest of the game was awesome. Still a bit ticked off that the demo didn't show any of the rts stuff
Posted February 04, 2010
I played this game while it was free on Gametap, and it really was all about the setting. The gameplay had its moments, but I mostly cared about seeing the sights. Very creative art design.
Posted February 04, 2010
avatar
cpugeek13: Does the game's creativity really make up for its unforgiving gameplay?
avatar
Cambrey: Obviously it does, since you want to finish the game so badly despite the awful gameplay. ;)

Braid was like that for me, I hated it, but it was too compelling to put down.
Posted February 04, 2010
avatar
tb87670: I saw a review on it, of course highly rated, and never tried it because I saw through the BS from day one. Now Steam has a sale for the game to be $2 (like a week ago maybe) and I am glad I dodged the bullet. I don't trust review websites or even X-Play anymore. Adam Sessler even said Alpha Centauri sucked! That's enough proof for me that I'm not a mainstream gamer and must rely on common sense when it comes to games like Psychonauts. All the characters look like poorly drawn cartoons my baby cousin can draw up? No thanks.
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I didn't buy it for $2 on the Steam sale. I knew it would ruin my day if I did get it.

Wow. That comment just oozes with shallow. Was that on purpose?
Anyway, it's not the technical gameplay that is psychonauts strong point. It's variety, creativity and humor. It truly has some great moments and awesome level design, each level offering something completely different.
HOWEVER there are several points where the game is just annoying, with the final level and the level where you learn to use levitation being the most notable. It's not perfect. But then again, very few games are, so this doesn't ruin a game for me. Lucky me, because the good things from Psychonauts are so very, very good.
Posted February 04, 2010
avatar
tb87670: Forgot to mention, I didn't buy it for $2 on the Steam sale. I knew it would ruin my day if I did get it.

You're not even allowed to comment on something if you're not even willing to try to play it.
(2$ Thats nothing!)
I for one was actually glad when i played it, for you see the fact is. Its just a medicore platformer, BUT! The characters are quirky, the dialogue is funny (Giant unavoidable area attack!)
The levels themselves are entertaining and even sometimes challenging!
I was not dissapointed when i bought this game, it might just be the sixth best platformer of all time!
avatar
LordCinnamon: HOWEVER there are several points where the game is just annoying, with the final level and the level where you learn to use levitation being the most notable.

And those mountain lions...
Post edited February 04, 2010 by nicolaierdk
Posted February 04, 2010
I quite enjoyed it, only had a small number of issues easily I could easily cope with. Keyboard and mouse? worked great for me. Tried it again with a gamepad recently, and really struggled.
But then, I haven't really played platformers since I had my mega-drive in the 1990s, so didn't have anything to really compare it with.
Pages:
1
2
3
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Psychonauts, why?(43 posts)(43 posts)
(43 posts)