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Psychonauts 2
Approaching completion of Gameplay and Reception rewrites; original text taken from this diff copied below for my convenience.
Development
"How Psychonauts 2 Approaches Trauma, Therapy And Empathy" – Kotaku.{{cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/08/psychonauts-2-trauma-therapy-empathy-tim-schafer/|title=How Psychonauts 2 Approaches Trauma, Therapy And Empathy|last=Verhoeven|first=Paul|date=August 24, 2021|website=Kotaku|publisher=G/O Media|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114023446/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/08/psychonauts-2-trauma-therapy-empathy-tim-schafer/|archivedate=November 14, 2021|url-status=live}}
In an early game scene, Hollis tells Raz to focus on "only one unfathomable fear at a time". Schafer noted this line was written in the later stages of development and reflected contemporaneous world attitudes of fear and uncertainty.
He noted that lines from the game that discuss "peaceful protests" were written some time before protesting became a topical issue.
Schafer hoped Psychonauts 2 would expand on some of the original game's mysteries. For one, he wanted the game to explicate the curse condemning the Aquato family to die in water.
A treatment of Cruller's characterization developed during the original game was expounded in Psychonauts 2, which explores the origin of Cruller's multiple personalities.
New story trajectories developed for the game were integrated into the overarching Psychonauts lore.
The team decided Raz's relegation to an intern at the Psychonauts would allow a more interesting character progression.
Schafer cited the young protégés in Jet Li films and their earnest impetuosity as inspiration for Raz's personality.
He compared the coming of age theme explored in Raz's characterization to that of Broken Age{{'}}s Shay Volta, as both characters must perceive their responsibilities.
Schafer hoped to avoid writing parallels between himself and Raz, as well-made characters should "get their own voices".
Schafer felt that delving into a villain's mind elicits a sense of empathy toward them, as the player is enlightened of their circumstance.
Schafer opined that the role of the Psychonauts is not to "fix" people, but to help them through their personal struggles. He felt that Psychonauts 2 communicates this ideal with more sophistication than its predecessor.
He noted that to circumvent the ethical concerns of invading one's mind, Raz is given informed consent, except in an emergency, by the characters whose mind he enters. He felt the action is presented as "wellness check" and hoped the game could stimulate discourse around mental health issues.
He felt that understanding the human condition helped Psychonauts 2 balance comedy with an empathetic portrayal of the issues.
Because of the large interim between Psychonauts 2 and its predecessor, the team replayed the original game to critique its themes.
"Psychonauts 2's mental health approach: Handle with care" – Gamesindustry.biz.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/psychonauts-2s-mental-health-approach-handle-with-care|title=Psychonauts 2's mental health approach: Handle with care|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|date=October 7, 2021|website=GamesIndustry.biz|publisher=Gamer Network|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203133306/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/psychonauts-2s-mental-health-approach-handle-with-care|archivedate=December 3, 2022|url-status=live}}
The exploration of mental health was inspired in part by a college class Schafer took on dream psychology. The class taught him that dreams could be self-revelatory, and that the metaphorical imagery of one's dreams is innately poetic. Much artistic inspiration for the levels' themes was taken from the team's personal experiences with mental health issues.
Schafer opined that drawing from real-world experience authenticated the game's depiction of these themes.
He felt the nuance of the original game's mental health exploration was merely serendipitous, and wanted Psychonauts 2{{'}}s writing to take a more proactive approach.
In the original game, Schafer noted, Raz often lacked caution when entering characters' minds, but that in Pyschonauts 2 he gains informed consent to do so, except in emergencies.
The team consulted mental health nonprofit organization Take This about their depiction of mental health issues; they hoped counsel from an external body would help negate insensitivity in their exploration of these themes.
"Psychonauts 2 is the story of Double Fine growing up" – Polygon.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/22582847/psychonauts-2-double-fine-xbox-games-studio-microsoft|title=Psychonauts 2 is the story of Double Fine growing up |last=Diaz|first=Ana|date=July 19, 2021|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719131058/https://www.polygon.com/22582847/psychonauts-2-double-fine-xbox-games-studio-microsoft|archivedate=July 19, 2021|url-status=live}}
= Reception =
Ars Technica{{'}}s Sam Machkovech,{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/08/psychonauts-2-review-an-early-easy-nominee-for-2021s-game-of-the-year/|title=Psychonauts 2 review: An early, easy nominee for 2021's game of the year|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|date=August 23, 2021|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823145456/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/08/psychonauts-2-review-an-early-easy-nominee-for-2021s-game-of-the-year/|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s Josh Harmon,{{cite web|url=https://egmnow.com/psychonauts-2-review/|title=Psychonauts 2 review|last=Harmon|first=Josh|date=August 23, 2021|website=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823183323/https://egmnow.com/psychonauts-2-review/|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} Eurogamer{{'}}s Edwin Evans-Thirlwell,{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/psychonauts-2-review/|title=Psychonauts 2 review - a feast for the wandering mind |last=Evans-Thirlwell|first=Edwin|date=August 23, 2021|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526115450/https://www.eurogamer.net/psychonauts-2-review/|archivedate=May 6, 2022|url-status=live}} Game Informer{{'}}s Andrew Reiner,{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/psychonauts-2/psychonauts-2-review-well-worth-the-wait|title=Psychonauts 2 Review – Well Worth The Wait|last=Reiner|first=Andrew|date=August 23, 2021|website=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823131718/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/psychonauts-2/psychonauts-2-review-well-worth-the-wait|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} GameSpot{{'}}s Kurt Indovina,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/psychonauts-2-review-mind-over-matter/1900-6417718/|title=Psychonauts 2 Review -- Mind Over Matter|last=Indovina|first=Kurt|date=August 30, 2021|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830174135/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/psychonauts-2-review-mind-over-matter/1900-6417718/|archivedate=August 30, 2021|url-status=live}} GamesRadar{{'}}s Josh West,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/psychonauts-2-review/|title=Psychonauts 2 review: Double Fine's psychodyssey defies all expectations|last=West|first=Josh|date=August 23, 2021|website=GamesRadar+|publisher=Future plc|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902022057/https://www.gamesradar.com/psychonauts-2-review/|archivedate=September 2, 2021|url-status=live}} Gaming Bolt{{'}}s Shubankar Parijat,{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/psychonauts-2-review-raz-and-shine/|title=Psychonauts 2 Review – Raz and Shine|last=Parijat|first=Shubhankar|date=August 23, 2021|publisher=Gaming Bolt|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824021511/https://gamingbolt.com/psychonauts-2-review-raz-and-shine/|archivedate=August 24, 2021|url-status=live}} Guardian{{'}}s Keza MacDonald,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/aug/25/psychonauts-2-review-surreal-adventure|title=Psychonauts 2 review – a surreal adventure that's unashamedly itself|last=MacDonald|first=Keza|date=August 25, 2021|website=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825130747/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/aug/25/psychonauts-2-review-surreal-adventure|archivedate=August 25, 2021|url-status=live}} IGN{{'}}s Tom Marks,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/psychonauts-2-review|title=Psychonauts 2 Review|last=Marks|first=Tom|date=August 23, 2021|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906092033/https://www.ign.com/articles/psychonauts-2-review|archivedate=September 6, 2021|url-status=live}} Hardcore Gamer{{'}}s Kyle LeClair,{{cite web|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-psychonauts-2/409181/|title=Review: Psychonauts 2|last=LeClair|first=Kyle|date=August 23, 2021|website=Hardcore Gamer|publisher=DoubleJump Publishing|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823180641/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-psychonauts-2/409181/|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} Kotaku{{'}}s Zack Zwiezen,{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/psychonauts-2-the-kotaku-review-1847533536|title=Psychonauts 2: The Kotaku Review|last=Zwiezen|first=Zack|date=August 23, 2021|website=Kotaku|publisher=G/O Media|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824120744/https://kotaku.com/psychonauts-2-the-kotaku-review-1847533536/|archivedate=August 24, 2021|url-status=live}} Polygon{{'}}s Ewan Wilson,{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22634677/psychonauts-2-review-double-fine-platformer-is-a-flood-of-joyous-ideas/|title=Psychonauts 2 Review: a Freudian adventure with a flood of joyous ideas|last=Wilson|first=Ewan|date=August 23, 2021|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823135320/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22634677/psychonauts-2-review-double-fine-platformer-is-a-flood-of-joyous-ideas/|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} Pure Xbox{{'}}s Daniel Hollis,{{cite web|url=https://www.purexbox.com/reviews/xbox-series-x/psychonauts_2/|title=Psychonauts 2 Review|last=Hollis|first=Daniel|date=August 23, 2021|website=Pure Xbox|publisher=Nlife Media|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823211805/https://www.purexbox.com/reviews/xbox-series-x/psychonauts_2/|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} Telegraph{{'}}s Dan Silver,{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/features/psychonauts-2-review-surreal-sequel-mind-bending-cult-classic/|title= Psychonauts 2 review: surreal sequel to mind-bending cult classic is a magical mystery tour de force|last=Silver|first=Dan|date=August 23, 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823135301/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/features/psychonauts-2-review-surreal-sequel-mind-bending-cult-classic/|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} Video Games Chronicle{{'}}s Jordan Miller,{{cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/psychonauts-2/|title=Review: Psychonauts 2 is one of the most memorable platformers in years|last=Middler|first=Jordan|date=August 23, 2021|website=Video Games Chronicle|publisher=1981 Media Ltd|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823141946/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/psychonauts-2/|archivedate=August 23, 2021|url-status=live}} all reviewed the game.
Inside
Researching and trawling through review commentary; original text taken from this diff copied below for my convenience.
= Gameplay =
Inside is a puzzle platformer. The player character is an unnamed boy who explores a surreal and mostly monochromatic environment presented as a 2.5D platform game. The game is dark, with color used sparingly to highlight both the player and certain parts of the environment. The game is also mostly silent, with the exception of occasional musical cues, the boy's vocals, dogs barking, equipment and sound effects. The player controls the boy who walks, runs, swims, climbs, and uses objects to overcome obstacles and progress in the game.{{cite web | url = http://www.usgamer.net/articles/inside-xbox-one-preview | title = Xbox One Inside is a Superlative Platform Puzzler | first = Jaz | last = Rignall | date = June 13, 2016 | access-date = June 13, 2016 | work = US Gamer }} The boy gains the ability to control bodies to complete certain puzzles, a mechanic that IGN{{'s}} Marty Sliva compared to a similar mechanic in The Swapper.{{Cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/13/e3-2016-inside-is-super-limbo-in-the-best-possible-way | title = E3 2016: Inside is Super Limbo in the Best Possible Way | first = Marty | last = Sliva | date = June 13, 2016 | access-date = June 13, 2016 | work = IGN }} At various points in the game, the player may discover hidden rooms containing glowing orbs. If all the orbs are deactivated during a playthrough, the player unlocks the game's alternate ending.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/06/29/how-to-find-all-of-insides-hidden-rooms-lamps-and-the-alternate-ending.aspx | title = How To Find All Of Inside's Hidden Rooms And The Alternate Ending | first = Kyle | last = Hillard | date = June 29, 2016 | access-date = July 8, 2016 | magazine = Game Informer | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160712230202/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/06/29/how-to-find-all-of-insides-hidden-rooms-lamps-and-the-alternate-ending.aspx | archive-date = July 12, 2016 | url-status = dead }}
The boy can die in various ways, such as being shot with a tranquilizer dart, mauled by dogs, ensnared by security machines, blown apart by shockwaves, or drown. As in the predecessor game Limbo, these deaths are presented realistically and are often graphic, but to a larger degree, earning the ESRB's Mature rating as opposed to Limbo{{'s}} Teen rating. If the character dies, the game continues from the most recent checkpoint.
= Reception =
{{Video game reviews
| MC = XONE: 93/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/inside |title=INSIDE for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
PC: 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/inside |title=INSIDE for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
PS4: 91/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/inside |title=INSIDE for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
NS: 91/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/inside |title=INSIDE for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 12, 2019}}
| Destruct = 9.5/10{{cite web |last=Makedonski |first=Brett |date=June 28, 2016 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-inside-370622.phtml |title=Review: Inside |publisher=Destructoid |access-date=June 28, 2016}}
| Edge = 9/10 {{cite magazine |author= |title=Inside |magazine=Edge |issue=296|publisher=Future |page=120|date=September 2016}}
| EGM = 9.5/10{{cite web |last=Carsillo |first=Ray |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/inside-review/ |title=Inside review |publisher=Electronic Gaming Monthly |access-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716182951/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/inside-review/ |archive-date=July 16, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
| GI = 9.75/10{{cite web |last=Hillard |first=Kyle |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/inside/b/xboxone/archive/2016/06/28/game-informer-playdead-inside-xbox-one-review.aspx |title=An Engaging Interactive Nightmare – Inside – Xbox One |publisher=Game Informer |access-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701161555/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/inside/b/xboxone/archive/2016/06/28/game-informer-playdead-inside-xbox-one-review.aspx |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
| GameRev = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Paras |first=Peter |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/inside |title=Inside Review |publisher=Game Revolution |access-date=June 28, 2016}}
| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web |last=Newhouse |first=Alex |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/inside-review/1900-6416458/ |title=Inside Review |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=June 28, 2016}}
| GRadar = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Lucas |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/inside-review/ |title=Inside review |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=June 28, 2016}}
| GB = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |last=Shoemaker |first=Brad |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/inside-review/1900-747/ |title=Inside Review |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=June 28, 2016}}
| IGN = 10/10{{cite web |last=McCaffrey |first=Ryan |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/28/inside-review |title=Inside Review |publisher=IGN |access-date=June 28, 2016}}
| PCGUS = 76/100{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Andy |date=July 7, 2016 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/inside-review/ |title=Inside review |publisher=PC Gamer |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
| Poly = 9.5/10{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Nick |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/28/12049410/inside-review| title = Inside Review |publisher=Polygon |access-date=June 28, 2016}}
| TA = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/12/14/inside-review/ |title='Inside' Review – Try, Die, and Try Again |last=Hodapp |first=Eli |date=December 14, 2017 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=June 6, 2018}}
}}
Inside received universal acclaim, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. Critics favorably compared the title as a worthy successor to Limbo.{{cite web |last=Dolan |first=Christian |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-28-inside-review |title=Inside Review |publisher=Eurogamer |access-date=June 28, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://time.com/4380020/inside-review/ |title=Inside Review |publisher=Time |access-date=June 28, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=June 28, 2016 |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/06/inside-review/ |title=Inside Review |publisher=Wired |access-date=June 28, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=June 28, 2016 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/6/28/12050342/inside-review-xbox-one-steam |title=Inside is an incredible, unsettling adventure from the creators of Limbo |publisher=The Verge |access-date=June 28, 2016}} The game was one of Polygon and IGN{{'s}} most anticipated 2016 releases.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/a/2016-game-preview-100-games/ooooh-pretty|title=Ooooh pretty – The games of 2016|work=Polygon.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/01/01/32-games-to-keep-on-your-radar-in-2016|title=32 Games to Keep on Your Radar in 2016|author=Chloi Rad|date=January 1, 2016|work=IGN}} From previewing the game at E3 2016, IGN{{'s}} Marty Sliva considered the title to be "Super Limbo", polishing and improving from Playdead's first game into the new title in the same manner that Nintendo had done for its previous games in bringing them to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Kirk Hamilton of Kotaku called the game an "evolution" on what Playdead has succeeded to do with Limbo.{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/inside-the-limbo-crews-new-game-is-utterly-fantastic-1781818278 | title = The Limbo Crew's New Game INSIDE Is Utterly Fantastic | first = Kirk | last = Hamilton | date = June 13, 2016 | access-date = June 13, 2016 | work = Kotaku }} Jaz Rignall of USgamer previewed Inside and wrote that it was one of the best puzzle platformers he has played, even better than its predecessor.
Much like for Limbo, several publications have included Inside on their lists of the greatest video games of all time.{{cite magazine|title=Edge Presents: The 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time|magazine=Edge|date=August 2017}}{{cite web|title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time|url=http://ign.com/lists/top-100-games|website=IGN|access-date=June 15, 2018|date=2019}}{{cite web|title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time|url=http://ign.com/lists/top-100-games|website=IGN|access-date=June 15, 2018|date=2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021412/http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Hayward|first1=Andrew|title=Stuff's Best Games Ever: The 50 greatest games of all time|url=https://www.stuff.tv/features/stuffs-best-games-ever-50-greatest-games-all-time|website=stuff.tv|access-date=October 28, 2017|date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015054923/https://www.stuff.tv/features/stuffs-best-games-ever-50-greatest-games-all-time|archive-date=October 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Polygon Staff|title=The 500 Best Video Games of All Time|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401|website=Polygon.com|access-date=December 1, 2017|date=November 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303210843/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401|archive-date=March 3, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|magazine=Game Informer|title=The Top 300 Games of All Time|date=April 2018|issue=300}}{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/|website=Slant Magazine|access-date=November 7, 2018|date=June 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108065607/https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/|archive-date=November 8, 2018|url-status=live}}
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