Psychonauts 2 is launching this week, and if you haven't checked out our review already, you should know that it's an absolute masterpiece! Of course, with stellar reviews across the board, no doubt many Xbox owners who haven't checked out the series before will be wondering what this is all about.

Don't worry. We've curated everything you could need to know, prepping you ahead of its Xbox Game Pass launch on August 25. This includes details on the gameplay, story and when you can expect to dive in.

What Is Psychonauts 2?

Psychonauts 2 is a continuation of the cult classic game that was released on the original Xbox back in 2005. It continues the story not only found in that title but also from its VR spin-off Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin. You play as Razputin Aquato, the protagonist from the first game who joined an organisation of cadets with psychic abilities known as the Psychonauts. The unique agents can jump into the minds of other individuals and discover more about their psyche.

The sequel continues building the foundations seen in the previous games, complete with platforming and the adventure game format of investigating various areas, talking to NPCs, completing puzzles and a ton of exploration. If you're a fan of classic platformers from the original Xbox and PlayStation 2 era then you'll know what to expect.

Here's the official plotline from the Microsoft Store:

Razputin “Raz” Aquato, trained acrobat and powerful young psychic, has realized his lifelong dream of joining the international psychic espionage organization known as the Psychonauts! But these psychic super spies are in trouble. Their leader hasn't been the same since he was rescued from a kidnapping, and what's worse, there's a mole hiding in headquarters.

Do I Need To Play Psychonauts Before Psychonauts 2?

Before the game starts, a handy recap plays out to bring you up to date on everything that's happened in the series so far (which Double Fine has also shared on their YouTube page). That being said, there may be an adjustment period.

While you'll be aware of everything that's happening from a narrative standpoint, getting to grips with the character's personalities may take a bit of getting used to. Each hero has their own unique traits and quirks, making them very much larger than life. If you want to get a headstart, it may be worth reading up about some of the main characters, such as Razputin Aquato, Sasha Nein and Dr Caligosto Loboto. Thankfully, the Psychonauts Wiki has plenty of character bios to dive into!

What Is Psychonauts 2's Release Date & Release Time On Xbox Game Pass?

Psychonauts 2 technically launches onto Xbox Game Pass on August 25, and will be available as part of Xbox Game Pass or can be purchased separately for £54.99 / $59.99.

Psychonauts 2's release time is expected to be 5pm PT / 8pm ET / 1am BST / 2pm CET on August 24 / 25.

Which Platforms Is Psychonauts 2 Coming To?

Psychonauts 2 will be available on an array of different Xbox platforms, along with being playable via Xbox Cloud Gaming. As we've already mentioned, it's also a part of Xbox Game Pass on day one!

  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X
  • Xbox Series S
  • PC
  • PlayStation 4

Can You Pre-Load Psychonauts 2 On Xbox?

Yes! If you want to get ahead of the game, you can pre-download Psychonauts 2 right now with Xbox Game Pass. It's currently sitting at 28.5GB, but could fluctuate before launch depending on any additional patches.

Is Psychonauts 2 Optimised For Xbox Series X & Series S?

Yes! In fact, since Double Fine become a first-party Xbox studio, Xbox Series X and Series S are the only places to play the next-gen version. There's a variety of enhancements for each system which we'll detail below.

  • Xbox Series X: 4K/60fps or 1440p/120fps.
  • Xbox Series S: 1620p/60fps or 1080p/120fps.

What Are The Reviews Saying About Psychonauts 2 For Xbox?

The critical consensus for Psychonauts 2 is very high at the time of writing. Currently, the Metacritic rank is sitting at 87, which puts it in an excellent position. Many have praised its gameplay and how it tackles heavy subjects with ease.

As for us here at Pure Xbox, we gave it our prestigious 10/10 award. Its excellent gameplay, engaging narrative and respect for fans of the original absolutely absorbed us into its bright and colourful world.

"Psychonauts 2 is an extraordinary achievement in both its gameplay and storytelling, balancing heavy themes of mental health with its whimsical world. In lesser hands, it could have been a disaster, but the team has taken every aspect of the original game, built upon it and respected the fanbase in the process. Psychonauts 2 is the best game of 2021 so far and one of the greatest sequels ever made."

How Long Will Psychonauts 2 Take To Beat?

If you're just completing the main story, you're looking at around 15 hours from our own personal experience. However, there's much more to Psychonauts 2 beyond the critical path.

You'll have an entire hub world to explore which expands as the story goes on, complete with collectables and side quests to do. Not only that, but the levels themselves are stacked with things to collect, and can be replayed to venture into previously inaccessible areas. Taking all this into account, a full completionist playthrough which includes reaching rank 102 in the game will probably take you around 25-30 hours.

Excited For Psychonauts 2 On Xbox Game Pass?

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