Slated to hit shelves in August, Psychonauts 2 looks to continue the story of its cult-classic predecessor, seeing returning protagonist Raz go head to head with new threats while wielding an array of powerful psychokinetic abilities. With the game launching in just over a months' time, it seems Double Fine is looking to hook players back into the eccentric world of Psychonauts, debuting a trailer that goes over the sequel's mind-bending story.
As those who've been following the game will know, Psychonauts 2 picks up right after the final moments of the original game and its VR spin-off, In the Rhombus of Ruin, seeing Raz venture back to the Psychonauts' base: The Motherlobe. From here, it seems he'll become embroiled in another sinister plot, which the latest look at the game does a great job of establishing.
The overarching story will see Raz and his allies attempt to stop the evil Maligula; an imposing psychic supervillain that the Psychonauts thought they killed 20 years prior to the events of the story. It seems the foe still has a lot of support in the land of the living, with someone from within the Motherlobe wanting to resurrect her so she can continue her reign of evil.
Stopping Maligula will take Raz to some crazy locales and see him interact with a host of zany characters, whether that's an anxiety-ridden glowing orb residing in the sequel's psychedelic level or a giant talking lighthouse. This also includes Raz's family, whose awkward reunion with the protagonist caps off the trailer. For fans of the first Psychonauts, there will be plenty of returning characters too, whether that's the eccentric Ford Cruller or the strong-willed Lili Zanotto.
Alongside setting up Psychonauts 2's main story, the new trailer also shows off some fresh gameplay and announces a new ability known as "projection." The skill allows Raz to summon a 2D, paper doppelganger that can access otherwise inaccessible areas. Although it's not shown in the trailer, Doublefine later revealed on Twitter that it can also be used as a decoy in fights, allowing players to distract enemies so they can get the drop on them.
All in all, the game is shaping up to be Double Fine's biggest yet, offering an expansion on the original game's story as well as colorful new worlds to explore and characters to meet. Those wanting to see more of Psychonauts 2 before its release can take a look at its array of recent trailers, including a teaser for a chaotic hospital-casino level created by Raz tampering with his teacher's mind.
Psychonauts hits PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on August 25.