Psychonauts 2, the long-awaited and even longer-overdue platformer from Double Fine, is launching in little over a month – and here’s a story trailer to get you in the mood. While the overall art direction doesn’t personally appeal to this particular author, it’s hard not to be impressed by some of the sheer variety on display – this looks every inch the zany successor fans will have been dreaming of.
Unfortunately, there’s no native PlayStation 5 version in the pipeline, meaning that while the game has been optimised to leverage the next-gen system’s backwards compatibility – it’s being held back a tad on Sony’s new console. You can expect 1440p resolution at 60 frames-per-second, compared to full native 4K at 60 frames-per-second on Xbox Series X. There are even 120 frames-per-second options for Microsoft’s machines.
Of course, it’s worth recognising that Double Fine is now a Microsoft subsidiary, and this is only coming to PlayStation at all because it was promised before the buyout. If you’re still on a PS4 or PS4 Pro then the title will max out at 30 frames-per-second, so you’re still getting the best possible PlayStation performance on the PS5. It’s just something to keep in mind!
[source youtube.com, via well-played.com.au]
Comments 47
On my Gamepass on PC wishlist. Glad it releases before my 3m/$1 expires.
Figured Gamepass was going to come up eventually. 🤷
It is right when Ghost of Tsushima: Iki Island comes out. So that gets my cash.
I am playing it on Day 1 because it is on PC Game Pass.
It is like Epic Game Store - I'll take all the games deep pockets ventures want to subsidize for me.
Unfortunate. Was looking forward to buying the playstation version. I'll wait a couple of months before deciding which console I'd like to get the game on.
crippling the ps5 version of the game isn't the brightest move..
@The_New_Butler you can see what he is saying though, they’ve deliberately not made a ps5 version so it’s best on Xbox. That said I can’t blame them.
It's an xbox developer so of course they didn't optimise a ps5 version, this isn't due to limitations, this was done of purpose
@Robinsad We probably wasn't gonna get a native PS5 version even if the studio wasn't owned by Microsoft. They was already having to cut bosses and levels before the buyout due to funding... So a native next gen version was never in the cards.
Playing the first one at the moment so really looking forward to this! Probably play it on PC, I have the first on Steam after all.
One of my hyped games this year. Can it be preordered yet on PS4?
Really thought a native version would be available but luckily have plenty to play until one is.
If Ratchet & Clanks looks like a Pixar film then this reminds me a lot of Laika's output.
A bit offbeat, ugly even but with a distinctive art style. That's the cut scenes anyway, the gameplay footage looks...off, at least to my eyes.
Don't buy it though for PS5, you're being treated for a mug.
After playing ratchet & clank rift apart, the environment in this game feels so empty, and the graphics looks like ps2 game. Fortunately, I still have gamepass pc so I'll try it there.
@wiiware how's your gamepass experience been so far? Thinking about trying it out.
Honestly, I can't be mad about the 1440p 60fps version of the game for PS5. Really. I didn't think this game was even going to come to PS4 and PS5 after how aggressive Xbox has been about PC and console exclusivity this generation.
@B_Lindz This game was announced for PlayStation before the acquisition. MS would have had to pay to keep the game off of PS consoles. Can't just backtrack on a deal because of an acquisition without penalty.
This looks wild. I’m actually really excited to give it a go. Haven’t played the first one but definitely will give it a go
@JapaneseSonic Push Square love Xbox and REALLY love gamepass.
Oof that's unfortunate news. I'm opting for the Steam version anyway.
Still getting this at launch! The original Psychonauts holds a dear place in my heart and super looking forward to the sequel.
Shame for me is not the "hampered" performance but the lack of physical copies.
Apparently only Fig backers get the option.
“While the overall art direction doesn’t personally appeal to this particular author...”
...who asked? I don’t mind a bit of personality in my news, but this comes off as fanboy-ish in the context of the article. Hope you’re not doing the review.
@rjejr @Agramonte Same... Psychonauts 2 got me to try Gamepass on PC.
@mrtennis1990 I know you didn’t ask me but I’ll chime in anyway. Look at the list of games - nobody can tell you how good the value is to you. The Xbox app is very slick and Netflix-like. A lot less store-centric and ad-centric than Steam, Epic, or the XBox consoles. Faster for me to get into a game than Steam, but lacks some of the nice community features, playtime clock, and easy access to game files.
I have an XBox One controller, but I lost the dongle so I just plug it in via USB. Not sure how it functions with other controllers without additional software or drivers.
As a console player I really like using it - but for PC gamers a lot of things are a little more difficult like modding, organizing your library and getting third-party software to access the game files (like benchmarking for example). For a buck it’s worth a try for a month if a title grabs your interest (like Psychonauts 2).
@mrtennis1990 I have gamepass pc, it's good to try new games but I rarely play on pc so after trying games I usually just delete it and buy it on console when the games are discounted instead. Steam games are really cheap on my country so I don't think I'll continue my gamepass subs after it expires.
But gamepass value is really good if pc/xbox is your main gaming device.
@Spiders I signed up for GP for Bug Fables - I liked Paper Mario Thousand Year Door which it got compared to a lot. Not nearly as good, but for $1 it's ok. Played a few others but I forget which, nothing special, just killing time. I did like Pychonauts though so hoping this one holds my attention. Also "Omno" looks good next week.
This looks great!
@mrtennis1990 There will be no PS5 version, the PS4 version is only being released to fulfill the promises made by Double Fine before the acquisition, and they had already cut all the bosses of the game before that, the game was postponed several times because Microsoft released money to put all content cut, the sale to Microsoft was necessary, the former publisher of the game also had serious financial problems sold the publishing rights to Microsoft by necessity.
@mrtennis1990 I got it for the first time last month and I’ve been really impressed. Serious amount of content there, especially if you’re new to Xbox
@The_New_Butler You are right its a PS4 Pro version that we are getting on the Playstation platform.
@Spiders I really dont think that the Netflix app is that great though.
I'm curious about this game. To me it looks like the art direction will be great, but the gameplay looks dated and....cheap (like a Kickstarter).
I expect 75ish metacritic.
I've always been a PS fan but this week I got a Series S to uses as a secondary console for Game Pass.
I am happy to play this for $10....not sure it is a full price release like Ratchet & Clank
@Col_McCafferty All ps5 owners are treated like mugs anyway...
Never played the first one of these. Told myself I was going to before this hit but life got in the way. Have played the psvr version though and if that's anything to go by then I'm really expecting the writing to be done well in this. Really enjoyed the (often overlooked) psvr game.
It's a shame there's no native ps5 version of this. It's pretty obvious why there's not...MS are only sticking to deals that were already in place. But maybe they should have done a little extra work and got a ps5 version out...just slap a £10 price tag for the upgrade...sell it with a wink emoji.
@talocaca
All of the previews have been signing the praises of this game and a few claiming this could be a sleeper GOTY contender like how Hades came out of nowhere.
Obviously they've only sampled 4-6 hours with the previews, but it's sounding very promising.
@Flaming_Kaiser For a library of about 200 games you have access to, the Netflix 'style' as opposed to a Steam Library 'style' works very well. You can just have all the games A-Z if you'd like, or explore by genre, plus there's a "Play Next" list which works like a queue. A sidebar has icons all your installed games.
What video streaming service do you think does UI better than Netflix?
It feels like a life time ago I played the first but I'm looking forward to this. As others, GP for me
@rjejr I heard good things about Bug Tales... I only ever played Super Paper Mario so I have a lower bar than you haha.
Did you see Cris Tales got added to PC Gamepass? I wonder if that’s up your alley. Looks gorgeous.
@Spiders I only have Netflix so i dont know but its still a terrible UI.
Shame there's no native PS5 version, will just wait for PS4 copy to go on sale.
@Flaming_Kaiser I really mean “Netflix-like UI” in a general sense... I’m not talking about Netflix I’m talking about XBox Gamepass on PC. For @200 games, it does a very good job and I’m contrasting it as “Netflix-like” to storefronts like Steam, PS Store, and Xbox Game Store, and to other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu that features content that requires further subscriptions alongside the included content. “Netflix-like” in that it focuses you on what you can access immediately, and not trying to sell you more.
@Spiders I dont understand whats so special about this. You need games ,genre, personal preference is it that hard. What do they need to sell you then i never had Netflix trying to sell me anything extra because you already pay for the service. And if you think thats special then i really dont understand you. I pay for a service and you better leave the rest out of my face and Gamepass is a rental service so why sell me more.
@Flaming_Kaiser Are you cracked? You are agreeing with what I said.
In fact, I prefer so much to not have my games library try to sell me stuff, that when someone asked how the experience was on Xbox Gamepass for PC, I thought it was worth mentioning how great it was to not have ads and games for sale as opposed to Steam or the Xbox Store on consoles.
You’ve been trying to pick a fight so bad, you can’t even see where we agree. You’re better than that, c’mon now.
@Spiders You talk like its something special but its not. Steam and the Xbox stores are stores thats what their function its selling you stuff.
Gamepass is a rental service it would be a f***ing joke if they would have ads and trying to sell you stuff. If Netflix will start with ads ill be gone the Day it happens.
@Flaming_Kaiser First, Gamepass is not a rental service. It's a subscription service. Rentals services are 'al a carte'.
Second, Gamepass for PC in this context is a launcher and dashboard... what we're arguing about is a UI/UX.
Playstation, Xbox (console), Steam, EGS, Google Play, Apple Arcade and Stadia UI/UX all have store elements on the front of their dashboards and both Amazon Prime Video and Hulu are major subscription services that try to upsell customers by mixing paid content into their browsing.
This leaves Nintendo Switch as the sole platform and Playstation Now and XBox Gamepass as the only current game launchers (maybe Origin and GOG... not sure) that cordon off store elements in their dashboard design. So I'd argue it's special enough to warrant mentioning.
For me personally, I haven't used an XBox product since the 360, and I strongly preferred the Playstation 3 UX because there were no ads or front-loaded store elements. Going into an XBox environment and not being blasted with ads for Call of Duty and Mt. Dew is a relief, and again --thought it worth mentioning.
I don't understand why you jumped on that point like a rabid dog and have been fighting with me about it. I'm describing my experience with a service accurately.
@Spiders So when your gamepass subscription stops you keep the games? You subscription means you can play them for as long as you are subscribed so access. Its just the same thing as rental just more modern version of it.
And again not getting blasted with ads in a subscription is nothing special in my eyes if pay
for a service i expect nothing less. If some terrible companies do that then i would stay as long away as possible untill there is no other option.
Maybe in the US thats something special because the country is totally owned by big corp that can even lobby in your bloody politics.
I dont i made clear i think those things are not something a company should be applauded for because others are scummy enough to do that.
The same goes for gaming it started small and they took it further and further.
-Early access playtesting for a company and paying for it.
-Monetization that bleeds over from mobile in a €60 game like boosters but its all optional and its not so bad.
-Broken games that get released and get away with it because reviewers say after a few patches.
-DLC annouced before the game is even released. Fighters are big with this unlocking a costume is now weird not a DLC pack to get them.
-Blatant lies like a roadmap that just wont happen because the game didnt sell enough looking at you EA.
The new generation does not know what gaming was like in the past so its all normal to them not really their fault.
@Flaming_Kaiser What are you on about!?!?
Subscriptions are not "modern rentals" because there are still modern rentals. Playstation Now started with rental model and changed to a subscription model.
Again... the "not special in your eyes..." I don't care.. Doesn't change the fact of what it is.
I agree with you about monetization, games releasing in unfinished states, and other scummy practices. Is it sad that it's worth mentioning a service is not grabbing for add-ons? Yeah. But it is what it is if you are playing games today, unless you want to game on an Intellivision Amico.
I'm guessing any positive comment about Gamepass (or DLC or Early Access games) sets you off, but point your boomer pop-off somewhere else. I've been playing games at home since 1985 — I ain't the one to talk to like I don't know how it was back in the day. Save it for someone who cares.... or someone who even disagrees with you ffs.
@Spiders Thanks. I did read about Cris Tales and it does look gorgeous and I will be looking into it.
Wait...this is coming to Playstation?? That's a surprise. I figured it went Xbox exclusive when Microsoft bought Double Fine.
@The_New_Butler So incompetence. Either way, not buying it.
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