Psychonauts

Double Fine Productions, Inc.  (2005).  Psychonauts [PC, Playstation2 game].  Edison, New Jersey: Majesco Entertainment Company.  UPC 096427013990 

Summary

Psychonauts are an elite team of individuals with psychic abilities that possess the abilities of telekinesis, levitation, pyrokinesis, and others.  These Psychonauts use those abilities to fight evil, or do they?  Raz, the main character, is a young adult who believes they do and will do anything to receive the right training to harness his gift of extreme natural psychic powers.  He, along with a lively and stylized cast of other cadets, go through training, entering into the minds of others to literally defeat personal psychic demons.  Throughout the game, Raz must grow, form alliances, overcome bullies, and stand up to other cadets and teachers in aid of becoming the symbol of good he believes the Psychonauts to be.

Critical Evaluation 

Psychonauts is a game that received a lot of critical praise, but did not sell particularly well.  Since then, it has become a bit of a cult classic.  Lively colors and bizarre character models invoke a bizarre Disney creation, and because of this the world is fun and varied, making for a differing and engaging playthrough.  The writing is impeccable with each character defined and memorable.  Raz is a defiant, but positive role model whose determination is laudable as he strives to achieve the status of Pyschonaut despite bullies trying to thwart him and his friends.  The humor in the game is as sharp as anything seen on television and keeps the levity at times when Raz's journey becomes dark.  Overall, this is a fun and funny game, one whose humor makes it a classic that deserves to be played by many.

Reader's Player's Annotation 

They didn't want you, but you showed up anyway and you will be a Psychonaut no matter what they say.  But what happens when they start seeing your skill, your desire and what happens when you see what is really inside the teachers' minds?

Booktalking Gametalking Ideas

Talk from the perspective of Raz, the protagonist, exuding his excitement on wanting to become a Psychonaut and explaining his experience inside another character's brain.  Hint that what he finds in the brains of others may be equally weird but perhaps more dangerous as there appears to be some secrecy amongst members of the the Psychonauts elite.

Reading Level/Interest Age 

Rated T for Teen by the Electronic Software Ratings Board for cartoon violence, crude humor, and language.

Challenge Issues 

Perhaps some language, but if challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly.  Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone.  As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.

Reason Selected

This is the first game that has ever made me laugh aloud, and it did so multiple times.  The writing is incredibly fun and focused that it transcends typical videogame writing, reaching higher.  It is colorful and mechanically fun, but the writing is where this game shines.  When a videogame story is its highlight, it is something special that should be shared.  That said, it is also a coming of age story for the main character, something that is always popular with young adults.

Psychonauts garnered several "best game" and "game of the year" awards amongst numerous other nominations from a variety of outlets, listed here.

References

Psychonauts. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychonauts