Does anyone else feel bad?

[JonasHoeiberg]

I've been aware of Psychonauts's existence for a while, but I've always avoided it in spite of the good reviews, based on nothing more than the screen shots in the Steam Store looking kind of meh. Since I bought it yesterday, however, I've fallen completely in love with this game, and have barely been able to stop playing it. I love the gameplay, the artstyle, the dialogue, everything, which leads to the point of this thread: I feel really bad that I only paid €2 for an amazing game like this, when I've paid €30, for instance, for Crysis, which is bland in comparison.

Does anyone else feel like they should have paid more for this game?

[Erebus]

I payed full price for it when it came out. Lost everything for it after a move. It is quite possibly one of the best adventure games out there. $2 feels like a steal. A very nice but a bit mean steal.

[arroyjose]

Nope. I bought the Xbox version when it came out, and I would follow Tim Schafer to the depths of hell because he made Psychonauts. Now if only Brutal Legend could make it to the PC.

If you feel bad you should buy some of the merchandise from the double fine store. In an interview a few years ago Tim Schafer mentioned that it was one of the best ways to support the studio - even more than buying the game itself.

[arr4ws]

this game is brilliant... i always wanted to buy it... had it in my scope for a while .

Best platformer/adventure game i played on a PC.

[The Milk Man]

I do cus I'm not actually buying it, I played for completely free on gametap. Oh but I have it on my ps2

[Redboy]

I've been aware of Psychonauts's existence for a while, but I've always avoided it in spite of the good reviews, based on nothing more than the screen shots in the Steam Store looking kind of meh. Since I bought it yesterday, however, I've fallen completely in love with this game, and have barely been able to stop playing it. I love the gameplay, the artstyle, the dialogue, everything, which leads to the point of this thread: I feel really bad that I only paid €2 for an amazing game like this, when I've paid €30, for instance, for Crysis, which is bland in comparison.

Does anyone else feel like they should have paid more for this game?

Yeah big surprise. I bought because of $2.00 and wow good gameplay.

[MasamuneSSX]

My friend refuses to buy this game because "it looks like a kiddy game" and "if its only £1.00 it must be terrible". After mentioning that it was made by the same guy that did some of the best adventure games in the history of PC gaming, his attitude towards Psychonauts ("even the name is crap") grew even more derisive.

Some people don't have any sense. Or taste.

[Psycrowtik03385]

Bought it for full price on Xbox. Although I'm kinda sad that some people are so stupid to judge this game, it's their loss really.

[rapidedge]

just buy copies for your friends.

[spyrochaete]

I feel bad that a work of genius like Psychonauts could go unrecognized in this world. I feel worse that this game is so unrecognized that they have to sell it for $2. However, it feels great to have an excuse to buy this game for friends.

[kalirion]

I feel bad that a work of genius like Psychonauts could go unrecognized in this world. I feel worse that this game is so unrecognized that they have to sell it for $2. However, it feels great to have an excuse to buy this game for friends.

KOTOR was almost universally loved, and that was sold for $2.50 or so during the holiday sale as well.

[Quatrix]

KOTOR was almost universally loved, and that was sold for $2.50 or so during the holiday sale as well.

It's also more than six years old.

[Killerwatt]

My friend refuses to buy this game because "it looks like a kiddy game" and "if its only £1.00 it must be terrible".

Actually it IS a kiddie game, but that of course doesn't mean it's bad. After all, who doesn't love Pixar movies? :cool:
Those are for kids too, but adults can enjoy them as well.

[The Milk Man]

Rated teen. This all depends on how you define a kiddy game. I dont see it much as a kiddy game at all.

[minerva79]

Well, Shafer did say that it is supposed to be a kiddy game when he first launch it. He also went on to say that the next production would take a totally different direction back then, and man, it sure did. Too bad Brutal Legends became only console exclusives....

[kalirion]

It's also more than six years old.

And Psychonauts is more than 4, so it's not exactly a spring chicken either.

[SecretGamer360]

When I bought this game I expected it to be one of those crappy not really worth my time games, I started playing it and I have to admit I was blown away from it's great platforming, I was even more blown away from the PSI powers, I would rate this game 10/10 if I could.

So sorry Psychonauts, If I knew you were such a great game or I would have bought you along time ago

[Corneliusm]

just buy copies for your friends.
+1000

I just bought copies for several people on my friends list. Now my brothers and three of my friends are falling in love with Psychonauts.

One of the best games I've ever played.

Sadly, I have Brütal Legend on the PS3, and while it's fun, it's nowhere near as good as his other games, Psychonauts included.

Hopefully this $2 deal is just a ploy to get more hooked before Double Fine announces a sequel. *fingers crossed*

[Corneliusm]

When I bought this game I expected it to be one of those crappy not really worth my time games, I started playing it and I have to admit I was blown away from it's great platforming, I was even more blown away from the PSI powers, I would rate this game 10/10 if I could.

So sorry Psychonauts, If I knew you were such a great game or I would have bought you along time ago

There are a ton of sleepers that were totally underrated. The Oddworld series (Abe's Odyssey, Exodus, etc), Bioforge, System Shock 1 & 2 (the original Bioshock, IMO), Magic Carpet, Syndicate, Vampire the Masquerade, and Beyond Good and Evil are all classic gaming moments that today's games rarely ever come close to.

I kinda wish we had metacritic data for all games- even old ones- anything above an 80 deserves a look.

[sujerre]

when I've paid €30, for instance, for Crysis, which is bland in comparison.


What are you talking about? Crysis gets 9s from every major reviewer. It's clearly the better game.

[kalirion]

What are you talking about? Crysis gets 9s from every major reviewer. It's clearly the better game.

I wasn't all that impressed by the Crysis demo (I did get the full game during the holiday sale, but haven't played because my GPU died...) It seemed to be just Far Cry with better graphics, regenerating health, and the suit gimmick.

[rvdm88]

What are you talking about? Crysis gets 9s from every major reviewer. It's clearly the better game.

if you go for photorealism and performance and engine technology its clearly better indeed.

though if you look at artwork, originality, humor, suspense and gameplay. well, then its Psychonauts all the way.

Also even though Psychonauts has lots of low resolution textures and low poly models, it manages to use its limited resources in a way that crysis can only dream of.

In the world of Psychonauts, almost everything is designed and made up.

In the world of Crysis (apart from a few aliens), everything is very real and beautiful, but all too familiar, like watching autocad pictures ;) Psychonauts feels like watching a artsy painting :D

[JonasHoeiberg]

What are you talking about? Crysis gets 9s from every major reviewer. It's clearly the better game.

I agree with this guy:

In the world of Crysis (apart from a few aliens), everything is very real and beautiful, but all too familiar, like watching autocad pictures Psychonauts feels like watching a artsy painting

Plus, the gameplay in Psychonauts is much more intuitive, varied and fun.

[crowebird]

So I was told about this game a long while ago, but always decided to pass, then at $2 I decided why not? So after spending all my time playing this amazing game, I am now sad that I did not pick this up earlier... and now I wish there was a psychonauts 2!!

[kalirion]

Finally started downloading the game (my DSL is slow and was downloading Mass Effect at the time of the sale...) Meanwhile, during the sale I'd recommended it to a coworker, and his 12 year old son loves it, and he himself plans to start playing it :)

[Xile{t}]

There are a ton of sleepers that were totally underrated. The Oddworld series (Abe's Odyssey, Exodus, etc), Bioforge, System Shock 1 & 2 (the original Bioshock, IMO), Magic Carpet, Syndicate, Vampire the Masquerade, and Beyond Good and Evil are all classic gaming moments that today's games rarely ever come close to.

omg System Shock :D, Syndicate, Magic Carpet!

<3

I'd still eat up a reboot of System Shock, please, someone make it?

[Chain_Letter]

Actually it IS a kiddie game, but that of course doesn't mean it's bad. After all, who doesn't love Pixar movies? :cool:
Those are for kids too, but adults can enjoy them as well.

You may want to check out some of the memory reels you get from those vaults you punch to open. And go find a kid that fully understands anybody from Boyd onward.

[Smertnik]

You may want to check out some of the memory reels you get from those vaults you punch to open. And go find a kid that fully understands anybody from Boyd onward.
Yeah, or how about the one creepy room in Milla's mind?
The game's humour is also quite dark most of the times.

Sure, kids would have fun playing this game but they wouldn't fully grasp the meaning behind the mind worlds.

[MADDOGGE]

Had it already for my 360 but for $2 couldn't pass it up for the PC. Would love Brutal Legend on the PC but guess I'll pick up a used copy for the 360. My son borrowed it and Borderlands while working at Gamestop but we couldn't finish them before he had to take them back.

[jahrasta311]

Actually it IS a kiddie game, but that of course doesn't mean it's bad. After all, who doesn't love Pixar movies? :cool:
Those are for kids too, but adults can enjoy them as well.

Are you KIDDING? Burning orphans is kiddy stuff?

[JonasHoeiberg]

Are you KIDDING? Burning orphans is kiddy stuff?

I don't remember anything about burning orphans, though in lungfishopolis I remember destroying the puppy orphanage. Is that what you mean?

Another point about lungfishopolis; There isn't much of a kiddy game about roaming the streets of a city splattering (actually splattering: with blood, gore and the works) conscient fish who cry for mercy.

[Smertnik]

I don't remember anything about burning orphans, though in lungfishopolis I remember destroying the puppy orphanage. Is that what you mean?

You find it out by looking into a memory vault.
Milla worked in an orphanage, then one day it burned down, the orphans died and now they pursue Milla in her nightmares.

[JonasHoeiberg]

You find it out by looking into a memory vault.
Milla worked in an orphanage, then one day it burned down, the orphans died and now they pursue Milla in her nightmares.

I remember the memory, but I don't remember any depictions of burning orphans, just a burning orphanage. I guess that could be a bit harsh on a child who hasn't yet dealt with death, loss etc.

[Pyoko]

I remember the memory, but I don't remember any depictions of burning orphans, just a burning orphanage. I guess that could be a bit harsh on a child who hasn't yet dealt with death, loss etc.
There is a room in Milla's mind with a number of fire creatures walking around and you hear stuff like 'Please help us!' and 'Why did you let us burn?' and so on.

[Berzeger_]

There is a room in Milla's mind with a number of fire creatures walking around and you hear stuff like 'Please help us!' and 'Why did you let us burn?' and so on.

Which in my opinion is the most disturbing part of the game.

[Smertnik]

Which in my opinion is the most disturbing part of the game.
Absolutely. Everything else is mostly either funny or strange but this piece of mind is really creepy.

[Asceres]

It's a shame I overlooked this game back then. Right now I play it more than Mass Effect 2!

it's just so cool and full of ideas. You can tell the people loved working on Psychonauts.

[Boole]

I've got a spare steam copy if any one wants it. bought it for someone but they already had it

[CaptainDingo]

Let me just get this out of the way.

In Psychonauts you will terrorize a metropolis of civilized fish.

Therefore, most other games are obsolete.

And if you've still got that spare copy Boole, I'd gladly take it. Lost my old one long ago.

[bankaiuser]

One of the best adventure games so far..

I paid for it $2 too for this game... i feel bad :(

[AeneasXI]

One of the best adventure games so far..

I paid for it $2 too for this game... i feel bad :(

as arroyjose said:

"If you feel bad you should buy some of the merchandise from the double fine store. In an interview a few years ago Tim Schafer mentioned that it was one of the best ways to support the studio - even more than buying the game itself."

... ;)

[JonasHoeiberg]

as arroyjose said:

"If you feel bad you should buy some of the merchandise from the double fine store. In an interview a few years ago Tim Schafer mentioned that it was one of the best ways to support the studio - even more than buying the game itself."

... ;)

I would do that if they had a European division. I'm not paying for merchandise to which the price will be more than doubled in VAT, toll and shipping

[TheRegionLegion]

Psychonauts works on a lot of levels - certainly the initial impression to most people will be "kiddy". It's about children in a psychic investigators camp after all. Also, there's a lot of familiar voiceover artists from cartoons (the guy who does Raz also does Invader Zim) - it does very much feel like a playable episode of some late 90s/early 2000 Nickeloedeon show.

However, like mentioned by others, there are some parts that use the premise of going into someones mind in a remarkably adult fashion. Milla's burning orphans crying out to her is one, but also Nein's whole story about losing his mother as a baby, and then later running away from home when - while looking through his fathers thoughts to see his mother again - accidentally stumbles on sexual thoughts for her! This is not kiddy stuff at all.

Not to mention the whole "mental cobwebs", "emotional baggage" stuff - these are not kiddy ideas. Plus just after you defeat Coach in Lungopolis Raz says "well, he was evil, but he built a lot of roads". This is a reference to Hitler, who invented the very concept of a highway (in Germany called "autobahns") to help get the German army to the front faster. One of those adult little jokes that a kid wouldn't get.

All that aside, even if it didn't have those things, you'd have to be pretty insecure about your own maturity to not appreciate how utterly unique and brilliant this game is, both in level settings and execution. It is a masterpiece.


I loved Crysis too, but it is ridiculous to compare them. Completely different genre. It's like saying Fifa 2010 is better than Tetris.

[Trashcantoy]

i just got around to play this game, and i must say that my 2 bucks are spent well, very well! :) i dont really feel guilty, at least i didnt pirate it, i supported the devs (a little, but i did it)

[spyrochaete]

This is not kiddy stuff at all.

Tim Schafer is one of the best creative minds of modern times. I just love his writing and sense of humour. I've played all his games for PC (so everything but Brutal Legend) and they are consistently smart and hysterical. Very few games can claim to be truly funny, but all of his can shout this claim from the rooftops like three-headed monkeys at a death metal singalong.

[sinisterene]

I bought it before for $15, rebought on steam for $20, later I gifted anyone who asked me for it when it was $2

[EtovaKala]

I bought this for like 10 euros or something because of the reviews but if I had known that it's this good I would've gladly coughed up some more for it. Maybe not the full price as I haven't got any money (and I don't mean in the "I have money but not enough to spend on computer games cos I have to eat" but in the "I haven't got enough money for the food either"-way), but I definitely could've upped the ante a bit.

[gabeo820]

I have this game. I played it and i swear the characters just scared the living ♥♥♥♥ out of me

[andrewgaspar]

So I was told about this game a long while ago, but always decided to pass, then at $2 I decided why not? So after spending all my time playing this amazing game, I am now sad that I did not pick this up earlier... and now I wish there was a psychonauts 2!!

It really bugs me the game ended the way it did, but was unable to garner the sequel it needed.

[_jema987]

Does anyone else feel like they should have paid more for this game?

Any qualms I might have had about pricing I've solved by buying it twice (retail and GOG) :)