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A Hat in Time is the strongest next pick if what you want to keep from Psychonauts 2 is a playful tone, imaginative scenarios and 3D collectathon-style platforming. The available coverage supports it as a close fit in mood and gameplay, but not as an equally story-dense follow-up. Super Mario Odyssey, It Takes Two and Astro Bot are also worth investigating as 3D platformers; the available sources do not establish how closely their stories match what you liked about Raz’s adventure.
What should you look for after Psychonauts 2?
Start by identifying which parts of Psychonauts 2 you want your next game to preserve. Double Fine describes Raz’s adventure as a psychic-espionage story, while Steam presents it as a cinematic platform-adventure built around humor, mystery, surreal environments, psychic powers and acrobatic movement. That combination—not simply the fact that it is a 3D platformer—is what makes a follow-up feel like a fit.
The game was released on August 24, 2021, according to Steam. Its story also received formal recognition: the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences’ 2022 awards archive lists it as a nominee for Adventure Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Story. Those nominations reinforce that story is a meaningful part of the comparison, not an optional extra.
- If you want whimsy and varied platforming scenarios: start with A Hat in Time.
- If a substantial, character-driven story is essential: do not assume that a game’s 3D-platformer label guarantees one. The cited discovery listing identifies genre alternatives, not narrative depth.
- If you are open to a broader platforming change of pace: investigate Super Mario Odyssey, It Takes Two and Astro Bot, but check each game’s official description and current platform details before deciding.
Is A Hat in Time the closest follow-up to Psychonauts 2?
It is the best-supported match among these options for a reader seeking a similarly whimsical 3D collectathon. PC Gamer highlights its playful tone and varied levels, but that coverage does not establish a story as dense as Psychonauts 2’s. Think of it as a tonal and gameplay fit, not a confirmed narrative equivalent.
#1 Best Overall
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What carries over
The case for A Hat in Time rests on the qualities PC Gamer describes: a playful presentation and varied scenarios. Those traits make it a sensible first game to investigate when you want another imaginative platforming adventure rather than a generic list of games in the same genre.
What is not established
The available coverage does not provide a basis for claiming that its plot has the same scope, character focus or narrative weight as Psychonauts 2. If the latter’s story was your main reason for playing, read an official description or a story-focused review before treating A Hat in Time as a like-for-like replacement.
Which other 3D platformers are worth considering?
Super Mario Odyssey, It Takes Two and Astro Bot appear alongside A Hat in Time in CheckpointDB’s 3D platformer discovery listing. That establishes them as genre alternatives in that listing; it does not, by itself, show that they have the same kind of story or tone as Psychonauts 2.
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Rank #2
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| Game | Story emphasis established here | Tone established here | Platforming information established here | Solo or co-op | Current platform availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychonauts 2 (comparison point) | Steam describes a cinematic adventure involving psychic espionage, humor and mystery; Double Fine describes Raz’s story. | Steam highlights humor and surreal environments. | Steam describes platforming, psychic powers and acrobatic movement. | Not stated in the available Steam or Double Fine descriptions. | Not stated in the available source summaries; check the current store listing for your region. |
| A Hat in Time | Story depth relative to Psychonauts 2 is not established by PC Gamer’s comparative coverage. | PC Gamer describes a playful tone. | PC Gamer highlights varied levels; the available description does not specify a difficulty comparison. | Not stated in the available sources. | Not stated in the available sources; check the current store listing for your region. |
| Super Mario Odyssey | Not stated in CheckpointDB’s genre listing. | Not stated in CheckpointDB’s genre listing. | Identified as a 3D platformer in CheckpointDB’s listing; further details are not stated there. | Not stated in the available sources. | Not stated in the available sources; check the current store listing for your region. |
| It Takes Two | Not stated in CheckpointDB’s genre listing. | Not stated in CheckpointDB’s genre listing. | Identified as a 3D platformer in CheckpointDB’s listing; further details are not stated there. | Not stated in the available sources. | Not stated in the available sources; check the current store listing for your region. |
| Astro Bot | Not stated in CheckpointDB’s genre listing. | Not stated in CheckpointDB’s genre listing. | Identified as a 3D platformer in CheckpointDB’s listing; further details are not stated there. | Not stated in the available sources. | Not stated in the available sources; check the current store listing for your region. |
The table is deliberately cautious: a genre listing can help you find candidates, but it cannot answer whether a game’s story, play style, or platform availability suits you. For the four alternatives, verify those details against an official game description and a current storefront listing for your region. Store availability and supported platforms can change, and the source summaries here do not establish current details for every game.
How do you choose between story, tone and platforming?
Use the quality you most want to retain as your first filter. If you enjoyed all of Psychonauts 2’s ingredients, you may need to accept a trade-off: the available descriptions do not identify another listed game that is confirmed to match its story, humor, surrealism and acrobatic platforming all at once.
Put story first
Look for an official description that explicitly presents the game as a character-driven or cinematic adventure, then seek story-focused coverage if the description leaves the plot’s importance unclear. Do not read genre labels or a game’s colorful presentation as proof of narrative depth. For A Hat in Time, the cited comparative coverage supports its tone and varied scenarios more clearly than a claim of equivalent story weight.
Rank #3
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Put playful variety first
A Hat in Time is the most grounded recommendation in this group when your priority is whimsy and varied platforming situations. PC Gamer’s description supports that narrower comparison. It does not justify promising a particular plot structure or degree of character development.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsPut platforming ahead of narrative similarity
The CheckpointDB listing gives you three additional names to investigate: Super Mario Odyssey, It Takes Two and Astro Bot. Treat each as a discovery lead rather than a story recommendation. Check how its official description frames the adventure, what the current store page says about play modes, and whether it is available on the system you own.
What should you verify before you buy or download?
For the alternatives beyond A Hat in Time, the cited genre listing does not settle the practical questions that often decide whether a game is a good next choice. Check those details on the official product page or the store where you plan to get the game.
Rank #4
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- Story fit: Does the official description emphasize a continuing narrative, or does it mainly describe the platforming premise?
- Play mode: Does the current listing specify solo play, co-op or other requirements? Do not infer the answer from the title or genre.
- Platform and region: Is the game currently offered for your hardware and in your store region? Confirm the exact edition and platform before purchase.
- Gameplay fit: Does the description or review coverage explain how traversal works and what kind of challenge to expect? The cited listings do not provide a supported challenge ranking for these games.
This check matters most when your priority is specific. Someone looking mainly for another playful collectathon has a clearer lead in A Hat in Time; someone seeking a close match for the storytelling in Psychonauts 2 should verify that point directly rather than relying on a platformer label.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game should you try first?
Try A Hat in Time first if you want a whimsical, varied 3D platforming adventure and are comfortable with a less certain story match. If narrative similarity is non-negotiable, the available descriptions do not support naming a confirmed equal: investigate the other genre candidates, but establish story fit from their official descriptions and story-focused coverage before choosing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Was Psychonauts 2 nominated for story awards?
Yes. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences’ 2022 awards archive lists it as a nominee for both Adventure Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Story.
Best Value
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Does a 3D platformer label mean a game has a strong story?
No. CheckpointDB’s listing classifies games by genre; that classification does not establish narrative emphasis. Look for an official description that specifically discusses the story, then consult story-focused coverage if you need more detail.
Can I assume It Takes Two is suitable for solo play?
The sources cited here do not establish its play-mode requirements. Check its current official product or storefront listing before choosing it for solo play or planning a co-op session.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
