When Psychonauts 2’s protracted introduction is over and Raz begins his internship in earnest, it tutorialises a new ability that comes with a playful new mechanic, one that immediately sets our minds racing as we imagine it powering a range of puzzle concepts. It’s a brilliant idea, the kind some developers might build an entire game around. Yet within the hour, Double Fine shocks us by doing something we’re not sure we’ve seen before – or not like this, at any rate. Having taught us how to use this ability, it almost immediately takes it away. Permanently.
To dig into why, we need to explore the story behind it, so if you’re hoping to go in cold, look away now.