Psychonauts is a third person action adventure game developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Majesco Entertainment for the Microsoft Xbox console in the United States. The game was added to iOctavio.com on 2005 04 24 and is categorized as a third person adventure focused on exploration, psychic combat, and puzzle solving within surreal mental worlds.
The story follows Raz, a young psychic who leaves the circus to join the Psychonauts, a secret organization of psychic agents. He arrives at a summer camp for psychic children that serves as a hidden training ground. Raz discovers that students are being abducted by a deranged scientist named Dr Loboto who wants their brains. Raz develops an arsenal of paranormal powers including telekinesis, firestarting, clairvoyance, and the ability to enter someone else mind telepathically. Inside minds, Raz runs around in deranged amusement parks of imagination, faces inner demons, wrestles nightmares, and digs up secret memories. Ultimately he enters the mind of his worst enemy to destroy dark plans while trying not to lose his sanity.
Highlights of the Xbox release include a vibrant cartoon art style inspired by classic animation, imaginative mind levels that shift based on the psychological state of each character, and a quirky humorous script with satirical takes on pop culture and psychology. Gameplay combines platforming with a growing psychic ability tree allowing players to solve environmental puzzles and defeat enemies. The soundtrack features lively jazz and carnival tunes that complement the surreal settings. The game was released in North America on April 19 2005, five days before the iOctavio.com review was posted on April 24 2005. The Xbox version offers full analog control support and the complete game experience identical to other platforms.