With a series as mind-bending as Psychonauts, it's best to play the games in chronological order to get the full story. Psychonauts 2 is set to release sometime this year and will continue the adventures of the psychically-gifted Razputin Aquato. Playing Psychonauts 2 without experiencing the first two titles would confuse new players in the same way watching The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers wouldn't make sense to anyone who hadn't seen The Fellowship of the Ring.

The original Psychonauts game released in 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The comedic action-adventure platformer was considered a commercial failure at launch but went on to become a cult classic adored by many. Twelve years after its release, Double Fine launched a VR Psychonauts game titled Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin, which takes place immediately after the events of Psychonauts 1.

Related: Psychonauts 2 Will Fix The Original Game's Biggest Problem

Despite sharing the same cartoony style as other light, early-2000s 3D adventure titles, Psychonauts has, so far, told one cohesive story that is best experienced if played in order, meaning Psychonauts 1 will likely be crucial to understanding Psychonauts 2Rhombus of Ruin proves this, as players pick up right where the first game's story left off; if a player were to play Rhombus of Ruin before Psychonauts 1, they would be severely confused.

Why Psychonauts Should Be Played In Chronological Order

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Rhombus of Ruin also isn't as much a spin-off title as fans may believe. It explores the relationships between some of the original game's main characters after the first game's ending, setting up the beginning of Psychonauts 2. It will likely be possible for players to connect the dots between Psychonauts 1 and 2 without Rhombus of Ruin, but Psychonauts can leave players with a lot of unanswered questions, and Rhombus of Ruin is there to answer them. It may only be an hour-long experience, but it will likely make playing and understanding Psychonauts 2 a more enjoyable experience.

Perhaps the most important reason players should experience Psychonauts 1 and Rhombus of Ruin before Psychonauts 2's release is so they can appreciate Raz and Double Fine's perilous past. Psychonauts depicts Raz's desire to be a PSI Cadet, despite his family tearing down his dreams. This mirrors Double Fine's dream of creating fun and unique games in an industry that demands AAA blockbusters. Both journeys are beautiful stories of growth that are best seen from start to finish.

Next: Psychonauts 2 Characters & Locations Spotlighted In New Concept Art