August 25th Psychonauts 2 will be available through Xbox consoles, PC and. let loose on the world Xbox Game Pass, continues the story of Razputin “Raz” Aquato, a former circus performer who left the big top to pursue his dream career as a psychonaut. If you haven’t played the first game, now is the perfect time to try it for free with Xbox Game Pass. You have no time? Then maybe check out the latest video (embedded above!) Which breaks down the story so far courtesy of our friends at Suggestive Gaming. When you’re done with the conversation, enjoy our Q&A with the Suggestive Gaming team below, where they share part of their process.
Q: Could you walk us through the typical process of putting together a timeline video called “What You Need to Know”?
A: First, I’ll play through each relevant game in the series I’m describing, capturing all of the footage; sometimes this is easier than others, depending on the availability of the title. After I have all of the footage, I go into research mode and start browsing additional material (like novels, comics, films, etc.) and taking notes on it. With all of my notes, I look at my footage and write my script to summarize the games while filling in any gaps with the supplementary material. Then all I have to do is record my script and cut it all together into the final video that everyone will see on YouTube.
Q: Aside from just summarizing the core narrative, is there anything specific to look out for when creating a “What to Know” timeline video?
A: In general, I try to pick up things that I think will appear in a new episode or become a key point in a new episode and focus on those things so that the viewer has better context when / when these threads get involved when playing the new game. Other things I like to include are fan favorite moments, even if they’re not that important to the story. The catchphrase of the milkman is a perfect example of something I knew I had to include in this video in particular.
Q: Are you trying to strike a balance between using cutscenes and moments in the game?
A: It usually depends on the series. Some games have almost the entire story in cutscenes, while others have you acting out the events that happen. While I usually strive to keep my gameplay material as presentable as possible, there are times when I am not satisfied with certain settings because the movement of the gameplay can be difficult to follow given the short length of the clips I use. Because of this, I like to use cutscenes whenever I can, but sometimes gameplay moments are just too great to leave out.
Q: Was there anything special that you noticed while putting together the Psychonauts 2 timeline video “What You Need to Know”?
A: The simple answer here is the Milkman Conspiracy level. There’s a clear reason this section of the game is so popular with the gaming community. The level design, quirky non-player characters, and hilarious writing create one of the most memorable moments I’ve ever had in gaming. Other than that, I loved delving deep into the background of the Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp and learning more about its history in the universe.
Q: Are there any narrative threads that you hope will continue in Psychonauts 2?
A: Oddly enough, what I’m most excited about is Dr. Loboto. Experiencing his story in the Rhombus of Ruin gives his story an almost sympathetic quality. Since we most likely haven’t seen its ending yet, I’m very interested to see how he fits into the new game’s story and what’s behind his actions in the diamond of ruin.
Q: What was it like playing through Psychonauts again? How was your experience playing Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin for the first time?
A: I can still remember returning home with the first psychonauts from the video store. I fell in love with the world and the characters instantly, but unfortunately couldn’t finish it before my rent was due. It really is a shame it took me so long to come back to this because I had absolute fun and it is by far the most fun I have ever had playing a game for the show. As a VR lover, Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin was a super cool experience. I loved seeing all of the characters up close and 3-dimensional in all of their high polygonal splendor, and as I mentioned earlier, I love what they have added to the story.