Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin

About Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin

Double Fine released this 2017 title on PC and major VR headsets like Oculus Rift and SteamVR. It serves as a narrative bridge between the original Psychonauts game and its sequel, placing Raz back in action after his camp graduation. You play as the young psychic hero during a mission to rescue Grand Head Truman Zanotto from kidnappers. The experience shifts the series formula into first-person virtual reality. Players explore mental dimensions rather than physical buildings. This indie adventure puzzle platformer focuses on tight mechanics suited for headset immersion. It runs in single-player mode and relies heavily on the PSVR ecosystem.

Gameplay

You control Raz through a series of surreal mental constructs using standard VR motion controls. Sessions involve solving environmental puzzles while jumping across platforms that defy normal physics. You use psychic abilities like levitation and telekinesis to manipulate objects and clear paths. The game features short, distinct levels that feel like chapters in a larger story. Movement feels weightless yet responsive, requiring precise timing for platforming sections. You switch between different mental landscapes, each with its own visual style and logic. The controls demand active head tracking and hand gestures to interact with the world. Progression happens by unlocking new powers or finding hidden collectibles within these distorted realities.

What Players Think

Reviewers on IGDB rated this title 73.5 out of 100 based on just seventeen ratings. Most players find it fun but short, with an average playtime hovering around two hours for the main story. The community struggles with completion since only 28% of all achievements unlock on average. Finding the rarest trophy, 5th Paul, is a major challenge with just 4.50% of users managing to earn it. Players often describe the experience as charming but note that the VR mechanics can feel fiddly after extended sessions. The mood remains generally positive despite the low completion rates. Many appreciate the story connection while acknowledging the limited scope compared to full-length releases.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best for existing Psychonauts fans who own a VR headset and want more content between episodes. It costs money but offers very little substance given the average playtime of two hours. You should expect frustration with those elusive achievements, especially the 5th Paul trophy that stumps most players. The price is reasonable if you treat it as a side quest rather than a main event. Skip this if you want a long campaign or don't care about the series lore. It stands as a neat little experiment in VR platforming that delivers on its concept without overstaying its welcome.

Storyline

At the end of Psychonauts, Raz is recognized as a great PSI Cadet and is asked to join his tutors as a fully fledged Psychonaut. But as Raz prepares to go home from camp with his father, news arrives that the Grand Head of the Psychonauts (and Lili's father) Truman Zanotto, has been kidnapped. The team, Raz and Lili included, fly off in the Psychonauts' jet to rescue him.