During Sunday's Microsoft and Bethesda showcase, Double Fine revealed its upcoming platformer Psychonauts 2 would officially be launching this August. Back then, Psychonauts 2 got an action-packed release date trailer highlighting some of the new adventures Raz will embark on later this year. However, it seems the studio wasn't done revealing what to expect from the highly-anticipated sequel.
During today's Xbox Showcase Extended livestream, Double Fine head Tim Schafer held a segment to discuss all things Psychonauts 2, revealing brand new footage and delving into the game's story and world. Among the details shared by Schafer was the reveal of a zany new level, which will delve into the mind of one of Raz's teachers after the protagonist accidentally afflicts her with a serious gambling infatuation.
According to Schafer, the world stems from a level where Raz's professor, Hollis Forsythe, teaches him to use Psychonauts 2's Mental Connection power. In an effort to get Forsythe to send him on a mission with the Psychonauts, the protagonist purposefully uses the ability to embed ideas of gambling in his teacher's thoughts, accidentally causing her to become obsessed with the concept. When Raz returns later, he realizes her newfound interest in gambling has spiraled out of control and corrupted her other memories, including her days in medical school where she studied neurology.
The warring thoughts manifest in a giant casino hospital world which Raz will have to navigate, with the clip showcasing bouncers the player will have to fight and large casino machines they'll have to scale. Outside of the level, Schafer also offered an array of new details about Psychonauts 2's story and the Motherlobe hub, which is where the player will spend their time between missions. There, they'll be able to discover secrets, find hidden pathways, and meet fun new characters, with players even able to explore the bases surrounding exterior areas, such as a quarry and an abandoned roadside attraction known as the "unquestionable area."
In terms of the story, the segment details more about Raz's personal adventure during the game, noting how he'll be reunited with his family who are camped out near the Psychonauts' base. Schafer confirms it will mean players will learn more about the curse placed upon the protagonist's family and where it stems from, hinting that it will tie into the character's battle against Psychonauts 2's main antagonist, Maligula. How exactly both storylines tie together will be answered when the game drops in two months' time, although it definitely sets up an interesting resolution to one of the first game's most intriguing mysteries.
Psychonauts 2 will launch on August 25 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.