Psychonauts (2005) (VG)

Director:

Tim Schafer

Writers:

Tim Schafer (story) &
Erik Wolpaw (story) ...

Release Date:

19 April 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

Tagline:

A Psychic Odessy Through the Minds of Misfits, Monsters and Madmen

Plot:

Against his father's wishes, a young psychic prodigy named Razputin ("Raz" for short) leaves his life in the circus and sneaks into Whispering Rock...

Plot Keywords:

Psychic Power | Summer Camp | Insane Asylum | Kaiju | Brain Washing

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Richard Steven Horvitz	...	Raz (voice)
Nikki Rapp	...	Lili Zanotto / Squeaky Flower / Squeaky Thistle (voice)
Stephen Stanton	...	Sasha Nein / Bonita Soleil (voice)
Alexis Lezin	...	Milla Vodello (voice)
Charles Adler	...	Coach Oleander (voice)
Nick Jameson	...	Dr. Loboto / Pokeylope / Kochamara (voice)
Nika Futterman	...	Dogen Boole / Whispering Rocket Lady / First Rainbow Squirt (voice)
David Kaye	...	Ford Cruller / Hulking Lungfish / Officer O'Lungfish / Lungfish Zealot / French Soldier (voice)
Colleen O'Shaughnessey	...	Crystal Flowers Snagrash / Nils Lutefisk (voice)
Brett Pels	...	Maloof Canola / Kitty Bubai / Chloe Barge (voice) (as Brett Walter)
Mark Ivanir	...	Mikhail Bulgakov / Lungfish Zealot (voice)
Victoria Hoffman	...	Elka Doom (voice)
Jeannie Elias	...	J.T. Hoofburger (voice)
Ogie Banks	...	Chops Sweetwind / Male Dancer (voice)
Cristina Pucelli	...	Elton Fir (voice) (as Christina Puccelli)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Ireland:12 | UK:12 | USA:T

Company:

Double Fine Productions Inc.

Trivia:

The game had publishing problems for a while. Originally, it was set to be an Xbox-exclusive published by Microsoft. For some reason, Microsoft got rid of the game and it went into limbo. Eventually, Majesco picked it up, and changed it from an Xbox-exclusive to an Xbox, PS2, and PC game.

Quotes:

Sasha Nein: Oh... so tacky! Can't... look... directly at it!
[Talking about a very colourful lamp]
Sasha Nein: [to Raz] But I control those feelings, focus them, concentrate, and... Release!
[He psi-blasts the lamp to smithereens]
Sasha Nein: And... the world is a better place.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: (#1.124)" (2009)

Best story/characters/writing since the golden age of Lucas Arts!

If you grew up hooked on quirky, funny Lucas Arts adventure games like Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion/Day of the Tentacle, and so on, this game is for you. You might not realize it, since it's disguised as an action-packed 3D platformer, but this game has the heart of any of those greats. You spend as much time exploring, talking and finding/using items as you do smashing and burning things with your awesome psychic powers. The dialogue is hilarious, the voice acting is superb (anyone notice that Raz is actually Zim, from Invader Zim?), and there are plenty of funny gems to be found by those who think creatively enough to find them (light a squirrel on fire for some funny lines from Raz, for example). The only problem is the action and difficulty level is a bit inconsistent throughout: some levels are excruciatingly difficult and some are a breeze, in no particular order. However, the overall fun and vision of the game is more than enough to keep you pressing through the more frustrating moments. Definitely a must-play.