Psychonauts 2 gets August 25 release date and trailer at Xbox E3 2021

Psychonauts 2 Image
Psychonauts 2 Image (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

What you need to know

  • Psychonauts 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the Psychonauts franchise started all the way back in 2005.
  • Psychonauts combines brilliant writing, zany humor, and clever platforming to cement itself as a true cult classic.
  • Now, as of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase at E3 2021, we finally know when Psychonauts 2 is releasing.
  • Psychonauts 2 heads to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PS5, and PS4 on August 25, 2021.

The Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase at E3 2021 is one of the highlights of E3 2021 this year, and Double Fine Productions managed to make themselves a highlight of the Xbox event. Fans have been waiting for a very long time, but we finally have a release date for Psychonauts 2, the psychedelic platformer that ends the platforming hiatus that began with the release of Psychonauts in 2005. Alongside a brand-new trailer, we've learned that Psychonauts 2 releases on August 25, 2021.

Psychonauts 2 follows the story of Razputin Aquato, a recently fully-initiated Psychonaut, as he unravels a mystery in his organization that would see an evil serial killer brought back from the dead. Players will have to use a variety of unique psychic powers and literally enter the minds of other NPCs to discover clues. The original Psychonaut is well-known for its insanely clever world and gameplay, which our own Alexander Cope discovered when discussing why the original Psychonauts is still worth playing today.

Over 16 years after the release of the first Psychonauts, players will finally be able to return to this colorful world when Psychonauts 2 releases on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, PS5, and PS4 on August 25, 2021. Of course, Psychonauts 2 will also launch onto Xbox Game Pass day one, now that Double Fine has joined the Xbox Game Studios family.

It's almost a given that Psychonauts 2 will elevate itself as one of the best Xbox platformer games, but I firmly believe Double Fine will deliver a game worthy of being called one of the best Xbox games in general. Fortunately, as of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase at E3 2021, we now know how long we have to wait to find out.

Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.