Back in 2015, Double Fine shocked the world when it announced that it would be resurrecting its cult-classic platformer franchise Psychonauts after years of requests from fans. Psychonauts 2 will feature new mind-bending worlds, eccentric characters, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor, and as confirmed via a new update from Double Fine's Twitter account, it seems it's still well on track to hit shelves later this year.
Speaking to fans worrying the game won't drop during 2021, the studio's social media representative claimed "yes, Psychonauts 2 is this year." While the post didn't follow up with a release date, joking that a mysterious "cactus accident" would see them swiftly removed if they were to leak it, the rep concluded the statement by claiming "it is real. It is playable. It is coming."
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It's good news for fans eagerly waiting to get their hands on Raz's next surreal adventure, with the studio doubling down on the fact it's coming sooner rather than later. Psychonauts' follow-up has seen a few delays up to this point, with the game originally slated for 2018 before being pushed into 2019, then 2020, and now 2021. It will likely lead to a much better game in the long run and one that players can look forward to getting their hands on later this year.
For those who aren't aware of Psychonauts' history as a beloved cult symbol, the franchise's initial release hit PC and consoles back in 2005. Taking place in the whimsical open-world setting of Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp, players assumed control of a character named Raz, a young boy with innate psychic abilities. The game's main crux saw Raz investigate a series of "mental worlds," using doors to delve into the brains of Psychonauts' main heroes and villains as he conquered platforming courses, fought bosses, and uncovered the dark secrets of Whispering Rock.
Its sequel will pick up where the previous game left off, seeing Raz and the cast of the original game travel to the Psychonauts Headquarters for a new batch of wacky missions. According to early descriptions of the game's story, it will follow Raz's investigation of an eerie mystery occurring in the government building, as well as uncover more about his cryptic past. The game already looks to be filled with a ton of crazy worlds for players to explore on this journey, including a psychedelic level featuring the voice of Jack Black, a giant casino, and a terrifying tunnel made entirely of teeth. Double Fine definitely seems to be crafting a fitting return for the cast of the first game and suitably surreal second adventure.
Psychonauts 2 will release on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2021.