Released more than sixteen years after the cult classic Psychonauts, Psychonauts 2 has been the talk of the gaming community since its recent launch on August 25th. Developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Xbox Game Studios, Psychonauts 2 finally gives eager fans the much-anticipated follow-up they have been so patiently waiting for.
Psychonauts 2 has been praised for its focus on empathy, eclectic visuals, and unique characters. Some reviewers have criticized the game’s over-emphasis on collectibles, but that comes with the territory for 3d platformers and hardly ruins the exceptional mind-bending experience offered to fans. As such, the game has been incredibly well-received, but one Xbox Series X player believes that they have found a way to make the excellent title even better.
Reddit user C4ptainchr0nic has come up with an ingenious way for players to further immerse themselves in Psychonauts 2’s distinctive world. Shared to the Xbox Series X Reddit community, C4ptainchr0nic’s fun idea involves taking a Philips Hue Sync Box and light strips, which match up the ambient lighting with the colors being displayed on the TV. They have also included a short video showing the results of such a setup and it really is dazzling; striking lights dance around the room in perfect unison with the game, further emphasizing the sparkling color palette used in the title.
The post has been very positively received with the Reddit community, too, earning over 800 hundred upvotes and more than 140 comments as of writing. Other Reddit users are praising the impressive light show and offering up cheaper alternatives to the Philips Hue setup, like the Govee Immersion, which offers a similar experience for a lower price.
After such a dearth of 3d platformers over the previous console generation, it is exciting to see excellent titles like Psychonauts 2 launching this year. The game’s emphasis on eye-catching visuals, family-friendly fun, and lovable characters can be a nice change of pace for players who want something different to play. While we may never see the platformer craze of the late 90s and early 2000s ever again, Psychonauts 2 and other titles like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart have helped make 2021 the year of the 3d platformer.
Of course, Psychonauts 2 isn’t the only game with bright colors and strong visual design. THQ’s open-world RPG Biomutant and Insomniac’s gorgeous Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart also feature bright, beautiful visuals that would pair well with an active ambient light setup like the Philips Hue Sync. Still, it’s hard not to be impressed by what Psychonauts 2 has accomplished in terms of both visuals and gameplay, and C4ptainchr0nic’s active ambient lighting only improves the gameplay experience even further.
Psychonauts 2 is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.
