Psychonauts Set Free on Gametap [Archive]

Dr.Finger

11-20-2007, 05:27 PM

Psychonauts. Quite possibly the best game that no one played. Well that's all about to change. Gametap has announced that Tim Schaefer's masterpiece Psychonauts will be available for free via Gametap's service.

The download will cost you 1.5GB of hard drive space, but it's oh so worth it. Now get to downloading, all of you.

Found at Joystiq. (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/gametap-thursday-um-its-tuesday-but-free-psychonauts-makes-i/)

Thanks to Crashew for a similar submission

Smoof

11-20-2007, 05:28 PM

Perhaps you should clarify that it's their digital download service and not Gametap itself?

Johan

11-20-2007, 05:28 PM

Does the 360 controller work well with Gametap? Anyone? I am not a k/m person myself. I like a gamepad for my semi-arthritic hands.

Abash Alarmist

11-20-2007, 05:28 PM

Word from the wise: Bring a game controller. Keyboard/Mouse /= fun.

Spigot

11-20-2007, 05:45 PM

Now everyone has a chance to play this game. And so help me if I hear complaints about the collecting part I'll snap.

Dr.Finger

11-20-2007, 05:50 PM

Perhaps you should clarify that it's their digital download service and not Gametap itself?I didn't know there was a difference.

pomeroy

11-20-2007, 05:51 PM

Now everyone has a chance to play this game. And so help me if I hear complaints about the collecting part I'll snap.

How about complaints about the general gameplay?

Spigot

11-20-2007, 05:54 PM

How about complaints about the general gameplay?That too. Yes, it's not on par with Mario Galaxy or anything, but it is still a great game, especially from Gogglor onwards.

Heretic Machine

11-20-2007, 06:07 PM

The only gamepad I have has six buttons and a d-pad, is this game playable with such a controller; or am I going to be stuck struggling with mouse/keyboard controls in a platformer?

pomeroy

11-20-2007, 06:10 PM

That too. Yes, it's not on par with Mario Galaxy or anything, but it is still a great game, especially from Gogglor onwards.

It's not bad at all. The writing is great, as is the atmosphere. I just think it's really overrated when you take into account the gameplay is nothing more than fair.

flinxz

11-20-2007, 06:14 PM

I think we should at least link this: Zero Punctuation: Psychonauts (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1368-Zero-Punctuation-Psychonauts).

Spigot

11-20-2007, 06:17 PM

It's not bad at all. The writing is great, as is the atmosphere. I just think it's really overrated when you take into account the gameplay is nothing more than fair.That's ok. I played it almost exclusively for the writing, atmosphere and story. The fact that the gameplay doesn't revolutionize the platforming genre is more than made up for by the awesome characters and fantastic worlds.

I thoroughly enjoyed the game when I played it through the first time and didn't even think there was anything wrong with the gameplay until I started hearing all the gripes about it around these parts.

Heretic Machine

11-20-2007, 06:21 PM

I think we should at least link this: Zero Punctuation: Psychonauts (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1368-Zero-Punctuation-Psychonauts).

I hate that guy more and more every time I watch one of his reviews. The Gamecube didn't matter? And we're talking about a platformer?

Maybe thoughts like that are part of the reason it didn't do so well no the market?

Smoof

11-20-2007, 06:28 PM

I didn't know there was a difference.

Gametap has their program which you pay monthly for, which has had Psychonauts on it for a long time now. But, they also have their digital download service, which is unrelated to their subscription service.

Edit: I should note, I was too lazy to click the link, so I might be wrong. I'm just assuming it's free from their digital download service.

ElfShotTheFood

11-20-2007, 06:33 PM

This game was okay, but very very overrated, as mentioned already.

Sloth

11-20-2007, 06:39 PM

put me down in the overrated camp. I think the setting, story, and characters are great and inspired, but the gameplay is pretty routine and pedestrian. This would have been a great movie, but it's an above average game.

tenchiker

11-20-2007, 06:51 PM

I have a Gametap subscription so a while ago I downloaded Psychonauts and the Sam & Max episodes. I thought Psychonauts was ok but nothing special. Sam and Max I only played part of episode one and then deleted it. I didn't think it was funny at all and the gameplay was 1994.

LongStepMantis

11-20-2007, 07:01 PM

The only gamepad I have has six buttons and a d-pad, is this game playable with such a controller; or am I going to be stuck struggling with mouse/keyboard controls in a platformer?

I have a sidewinder (old 6 button, d-pad version) so I used my mouse/kb...And i never had a single problem playing it that way. To each his own I guess. Then again I take mouse/kb over just about anything.

I have a Gametap subscription so a while ago I downloaded Psychonauts and the Sam & Max episodes. I thought Psychonauts was ok but nothing special. Sam and Max I only played part of episode one and then deleted it. I didn't think it was funny at all and the gameplay was 1994.

To be fair, the first episode is also the worst, imo. But it's an adventure game, they don't really stray that much from their roots, so I'm not sure if you expected a different kind of game. The humor definitely improves after the first episode. Max's death scene in the mob teddy bear factory is golden.

Dr.Finger

11-20-2007, 07:01 PM

Gametap has their program which you pay monthly for, which has had Psychonauts on it for a long time now. But, they also have their digital download service, which is unrelated to their subscription service.

Edit: I should note, I was too lazy to click the link, so I might be wrong. I'm just assuming it's free from their digital download service.Yeah, it's part of the free side of the service. There are more games behind the subscriber wall, and you don't have to sit through an advertisement to play them, but Psychonauts is in the free section.

UnderHero5

11-20-2007, 07:11 PM

The only gamepad I have has six buttons and a d-pad, is this game playable with such a controller; or am I going to be stuck struggling with mouse/keyboard controls in a platformer?

You should just use your 360 controller.
If you only have a wireless one, I'm pretty sure the Play & Charge kits USB cable will enable you to use it on your PC, without buying the wireless dongle.

I'm not positive though. Give it a try.

I use a wired 360 controller with my PC games (that require a controller).

Odyzen

11-20-2007, 07:17 PM

Abash Alarmist

11-20-2007, 07:21 PM

It says I have to download the Gametap player to play Psychonaut. I guess I'll register a free account and see what it's like. If I finally installed Steam, I think I should be able to handle Gametap. Joystiq has a list of free games you can play off Gametap. That's useful.

I never used Gametap before. How's the experience with it?

I have been using Gametap for the last month. I have found it absolutely phenomenal for all the games that I can play. There are many, and with the constant updates with some big title games (most recent was Civ4), it has been an absolute treasure in my gaming collection.

Heretic Machine

11-20-2007, 07:26 PM

You should just use your 360 controller.
If you only have a wireless one, I'm pretty sure the Play & Charge kits USB cable will enable you to use it on your PC, without buying the wireless dongle.

No, it doesn't. Even when you have it hooked up to a 360 with the play and charge kit, all that it carries is power, it still transmits the controller data wirelessly. Really sucks, I tried it out close to launch.

I have a sidewinder (old 6 button, d-pad version) so I used my mouse/kb...And i never had a single problem playing it that way. To each his own I guess. Then again I take mouse/kb over just about anything.

Sounds like you might have the same pad as me, mine is a sidewinder too. I've never played a platformer with mouse and keyboard, and I just don't expect that it will work very well. But I'll give it a go, two more hours until it is fully downloaded.

Camel

11-20-2007, 08:02 PM

I think it's about time that the whole "Psychonauts is underrated! Nobody played it!" thing is put to rest. Enough time has passed since its release...I would say most who are going to play it already have.

Not the most fun game to play all the time, but rolling around and bouncing on a psychic ball was great, and the level designs were AWESOME (the velvet painting being my favorite).

fitbabits

11-20-2007, 08:04 PM

I hate that guy more and more every time I watch one of his reviews. The Gamecube didn't matter? And we're talking about a platformer?

Maybe thoughts like that are part of the reason it didn't do so well no the market?

Thank you! I grew tired of these 'reviews' after seeing the first one. Now it's just fucking annoying.

Spigot

11-20-2007, 08:07 PM

Thank you! I grew tired of these 'reviews' after seeing the first one. Now it's just fucking annoying.Bah. I still laugh my head off every week when they put a new one up. To each his own.

KidNicarus

11-20-2007, 08:43 PM

I've been resisting Gametaps sexy wiles for some time now. This seals it. Gametap subscription get!

Slack3r78

11-20-2007, 09:06 PM

Does the 360 controller work well with Gametap? Anyone? I am not a k/m person myself. I like a gamepad for my semi-arthritic hands.

If someone already answered, my bad, but I scanned most of the way down the page and saw nothing.

To answer you question, the 360 controller works wonderfully with GameTap emulated games. I can't swear to how well it works with Psychonauts, though, since it's a port.

GameTap is an awesome service, though, especially with the free stuff. I'd seriously recommend you consider checking it out, Johan. I say this largely because of your youngin's and the fact that they have a ton of great educational games (the Reader Rabbit series, etc). :)

Johan

11-20-2007, 09:13 PM

Thank you kindly, Slack3r78! I will check it out!

Dingobloo

11-20-2007, 09:18 PM

I'd like to mention that gametap is still a bit of a nightmare for anyone out-side of the US/Canada and you need to do a whole lot of digging to find out what's going on. You can't sign up for a gold accounts, you can only use the lite player, and even the games compatible with the lite player are still restricted. (Basically it's only the SNK games available in AUS but this isn't officially mentioned anywhere) theres no way to tell before attempting to boot up a game whether or not it's available in your country.

KingGorilla

11-20-2007, 09:33 PM

I recently, well a couple of months ago, gave Psychonauts and a bunch of other games to a friend. I have been hankering to play this masterpiece again.

Heretic Machine

11-20-2007, 10:23 PM

Just beat the first level, great stuff. Like others said, the gameplay is a bit on the meh side (especially after I just spent five days with Mario Galaxy) but the art design is phenomenal, and it is great to have more of Tim's dialog to enjoy.

donkeydrop

11-20-2007, 10:30 PM

GameTap is an awesome service, though, especially with the free stuff. I'd seriously recommend you consider checking it out, Johan. I say this largely because of your youngin's and the fact that they have a ton of great educational games (the Reader Rabbit series, etc). :)

I will also add that you can have up to five logins with up to three computers simultaneously playing. Great if your kids have several computers to use between them. And you can set parental controls if you don't want them to play something like Jericho.

Slack3r78

11-20-2007, 10:44 PM

I will also add that you can have up to five logins with up to three computers simultaneously playing. Great if your kids have several computers to use between them. And you can set parental controls if you don't want them to play something like Jericho.

Something I meant to mention, but didn't. Thanks.

blair

11-21-2007, 01:49 AM

vherub

11-21-2007, 08:50 AM

So to what does psychonauts pass the torch of more-people-should-have-bought-and-played-the-game-I-like?

Okami

HotCod

11-21-2007, 11:47 AM

seems its a US only thing which sucks in a rather major way... ho hum

KingGorilla

11-21-2007, 12:03 PM

So to what does psychonauts pass the torch of more-people-should-have-bought-and-played-the-game-I-like?

Okami

Double Fine still exists, there is still hope for another Psychonauts like game. Clover was taken behind the shed and slaughtered.

Abash Alarmist

11-21-2007, 04:08 PM

Double Fine still exists, there is still hope for another Psychonauts like game. Clover was taken behind the shed and slaughtered.

Poor Ammy :(

Sl1pstream

11-22-2007, 05:19 AM

US Only. I thought they were going to expand it to the rest of the world. Still nothing :(

Abash Alarmist

11-23-2007, 01:23 PM

US Only. I thought they were going to expand it to the rest of the world. Still nothing :(

Poor Belgian. Getting nothing good...Though, I will make the argument that it is to relativity. You don't get anything good like GameTap because of the creation of Belgian Waffles, god's gift to humanity.