Checklists
Tips and Tricks
Looking to gain the upper advantage before jumping into Psychonauts 2? Well, you're in luck as this page of IGN's Wiki guide and Walkthrough will lead you through over 32 essential tips and tricks for getting started in Psychonauts 2.
Beginner’s Guide: 32 Essential Tips and Tricks for Getting Started in Psychonauts 2
Split into three different tip categories - Quick Tips, Exploration, and Combat - we have you covered in our complete tips and tricks guide that detail everything from how to best utilize some of the Intern Manual's most valuable features, using the Levitation Ball as a substitute for sprinting, unlocking unique gadgets that allow you to access the likes of Photomode, recommended Psychic Power upgrades for finding those hard to reach collectibles, as well as breaking down some of the best combat and Psychic Power combinations that will have you cleaning up the battlefield.
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Quick Tips and Tricks
- Running out of inventory space and maxing out your Psitanium capacity? Head to the Otto-Matic to purchase wallet upgrades that increase your maximum capacity.
- With that said, we highly recommend making the Psifold Wallet your first major purchase from the Otto-Mattic, as you'll find plenty more than just 100 Psitanium when exploring the different places and brains that the game has on offer. You should also have no problem finding enough Psitanium around The Motherlode to make this purchase before heading out on your first major mission with Agent Forsythe.
- Tired of not being able to run faster? You'll be glad to know that the Levitation Ball is a great alternative and is actually faster than your sprint speed would most likely be!
- In the controls, you'll find two extremely handy options that will make moving about the game much easier! Trust us, this option is game-changing!
- First, you'll have the option Use Triple Jump To Glide. When enabled, triple jump will trigger gliding.
- Next up, you'll find the option Levitation Ball Pulldown From Glide. With the option enabled, Raz will have the ability to pull out his Levitation Ball by jumping while gliding.
- Speak with everyone, especially within the likes of places such as the Atrium! Not only will these characters provide additional dialogue to the story, but they'll even sometimes offer clues and hints to nearby collectibles or optional side missions.
- Listen closely to the in-game sounds as you may just hear the turmoil of an Emotional Baggage or possibly the sparkle of a collectible PSI Card nearby. Every collectible has a unique sound, so keep your ears peeled!
- Your Intern Manual is your best friend and should be frequently referenced as you explore and complete each area. So whether it's checking your Critical Mission status, upgrading your powers, managing your pins, or keeping track of all the collectibles and unique items that you've found via the Areas tab, the manual is a handy tool that every Psychonaut should use to its full advantage!
- Need more Psitanium? Destroying objects around the environment such as bins, boxes, and other destructible objects will reward you with small amounts of Psitanium.
- Stuck and need a helping hand? Listen carefully to Razputin's additional dialogue as he'll often provide hints and solutions to the puzzles you're trying to completing, especially so if you're taking a while when dealing with the idea nodes that are tied to the Mental Connections power.
- Unlocked The Quarry? Visit the Research and Development center, where you’ll find Gadget extraordinaire, Otto. These gadgets are invaluable as they will aid Raz in discovering secret areas, stray thoughts, and even unlocking the highly popular photomode feature. You can learn more about the different types of Gadgets that Raz can unlock here.
- Inside your Intern Manual, you’ll discover a tab for Areas and Places that Raz has visited. This Area Survey tab is essential to Psychonauts, as you’ll be able to manually track your exploration in both the Physical and Mental worlds. In addition, Raz will obtain maps for the places that he has visited. These maps - The Motherlobe and The Quarry (to name a few) - contain everything you need to know about each area, such as key locations, as well detailed notes, and even more.
- Tired of running everywhere? Don’t forget to use the Otto-Barn - a neat, fast travel system that is unlocked during the Report to the Mail Room mission.
- Want to learn more about the story? Try finding all the Mind Vaults as they’ll reveal more details about each character and their stories.
- As we explained in our The more Half a Minds you have, the more health or brains you have for combat. Definitely worth hunting down.
- Let's face it; sometimes, we just want to play a game for fun. So if you're looking for less of a challenge, collectible hunting, or simply want to enjoy the story without having to worry about combat encounters, look for the Assist Features settings in the game menu. Here, you'll find all kinds of neat settings that range from Inviniciblity, Narrative Combat, and No Fall Damage.
- At times, the controls can be somewhat clunky and hard to use. While it may depend on the player, we recommend turning on no fall damage in the Assist Features settings, as there's nothing worse than dying and losing your progress all because of a game fault.
Exploration Tips and Tricks
- Light any bonfire you see, both inside minds and in the real world. They create updrafts that usually lead to hidden figments or PSI cards.
- Locations where you can attune stray thoughts with the Thought Tuner appear as a semitransparent oval floating in the air. It disappears as you approach, so make a note of its location before you head towards it.
- Even when you're not using the Stray Thoughts Gadget, you’ll be pinged when stray thoughts are nearby - making for the perfect opportunity to get out the device and start searching.
- Explore everywhere! There are tons of things to collect, both inside and outside people's minds, so take the time to check every nook and cranny.
- Keep an eye out for PSI Challenge Cards, as these collectible cards are essential to increasing your rank.
- Looking to pick up as many collectibles as you can right away? We recommend spending your Intern Credits on the Pouncy Ball Levitation upgrade and the Dark Thoughts Mental Connection upgrade. These will both grant you access to locations with Figments, Emotional Baggage, and more!
- For the items in the Scavenger Hunt: the item description can help point to where you might be able to find them. For example, those relating to NPCs or locations within the Motherlobe will be found in that area.
- Despite Raz being an acrobat, you’ll be surprised by the places and areas you can explore. While it may not initially seem possible, with the help of your psychic powers and a bit of belief, you’ll find that Raz has the ability to cross rather large gaps, climb up vines, jump up to high ledges, balance across ropes, and even swing from poles.
- When utilized correctly, Mental Connection can be a fantastic and dynamic way to move through a level very fast.
- Keep an eye out for the Clairvoyance opportunities, as they are a great way to earn additional Psitantium, as well as learn about secret spots that only the Clairvoyance Power can see.
Combat Tips and Tricks
- Pick your attacks carefully as certain enemies are more susceptible to particular powers! An example would be using Telekinesis against Censors. This is a good strategy as any objects that hit Censors will stun them temporarily, whereas using other powers such as Pyrokinesis wouldn't be anywhere near as effective.
- Don't forget to use your Intern Credits! As you increase your rank, you'll earn Intern Credit, which you can spend on PSI Power Upgrades such as dealing more damage, shortening cooldowns, and even more!
- Take full advantage of Telekinesis, as it's a great power if you manage to utilize it correctly. Telekinesis is great for use against enemies that tend to throw objects, as you'll be able to grab the items mid-air and proceed to toss it back to them, dealing large amounts of damage.
- Don't sleep on Mental Connection in combat situations. When used correctly with the right upgrades, Mental Connection can be a fantastic Psychic Power that allows Raz to get in close or move enemies towards you for a quick melee attack combination, especially so if you're using the pull and punch upgrades.
- Make full use of pins, as you'll get helpful new combat upgrades such as rooting enemies in place with the Mental Connection power.
- Time Bubble is great for slowing fast-moving enemies. Not only will you be able to take them out in a much safer manner, but you'll also have the chance to land more hits or even taking out other enemies nearby.
- Looking for a good combination idea? Time Bubble an enemy from afar and then use Mental Connection to pull Raz towards the enemy to perform a powerful strike.