Feature: The 49 Best Sequel-Less Games Subscribe to this RSS feed
The #1 Sequel-Less Game Ever!
1- Psychonauts (Xbox, PS2, PC)
Rasputin's trip to psychic summer camp is soured when other campers are debrained, leaving Rasputin to platform through other camper's mindscapes. This cerebral conceit allowed developer Double Fine to create delightfully diverse displays of the inner workings of less-than-ordinary psychic practitioners. From a psychedelic party palace to a conspiracy-draped suburb that will leave you wondering "Who is the milkman?" And did anyone play the game without wandering slack-jawed murmuring "TV... Hackeysack..."?
Psychonauts won every "Best Game No One Played" award out there. Despite great reviews, sales for Psychonauts didn't meet projections. The game's sales certainly suffered because it was publicly dropped by Microsoft and moved to Majesco. Worse yet, the Psychonauts sales slump added insult to the injury Majesco suffered from Advent Rising (#), convincing Majesco to pursue lower-budget games for more casual gamers and to give up on top-tier titles entirely.
Psychonauts' platforming nature also cost it sales. The platforming action wasn't challenging enough for hardcore gamers, while the demands on dexterity were too harsh for the casual adventure game fans with a proclivity for Psychonauts' plot. On top of that, the sophisticated humor and underlying dark psychological tone made the title less kid-friendly than many parents wanted.
Whatever the criticisms, few games push storytelling to the same humorous heights as the daring and always entertaining Psychonauts. Whether as sequels or other games developed in the same spirit, we need more of this superlative stuff.
