Psychonauts was a hugely imaginative title in 2005, and while its gameplay may not have necessarily been revolutionary, it was revered for its strong storytelling, lively characters, incredibly imaginative environments, and its unmistakably distinct and bold style that borrowed heavily from an eclectic set of influences and themes like 1960s spy thrillers, Burton-esque art direction, and childhood summer camp stories. The result was a unique twist of classic Americana and adventure that indelibly imprinted itself into the memories of anybody who played it; rather fitting considering the game’s themes. A sequel to Psychonauts was hotly anticipated by fans, but as time dragged on, the possibility of one materializing seemed fainter, and the potential for a sequel to fill the shoes of its predecessor became simultaneously greater and more daunting a task in which to succeed, especially given developer Doublefine’s series of ups and downs with its releases in the intervening years. At last, Psychonauts 2 is here, and it has a huge reputation to live up to, a challenge which it is thankfully aptly prepared to meet. It is, thankfully, every bit as creative, exciting, surprising, and heartfelt as its forebear, with the benefit of significantly higher production values and technology that allow the true vision of the universe to come forward.