So, as the sun sets on our Dubai desert-themed adventure with November’s TA Playlist feature, Spec Ops: The Line, we’re eagerly gearing up for December. It’s about time we announce the game you folks selected as the next star of our TA Playlist showdown.
Each December, we love to give overlooked gems from previous playlists a chance to shine again. This time, our team picked their favorites from the 2024 lineup. ManicMetalhead couldn’t resist the nostalgic call of the 2017 hit Cuphead and the toothy allure of Maneater, the "ShARk-PG" wonder. Meanwhile, BetaSigX20 found themselves drawn to the chilling narrative of Alan Wake 2, the dynamic 2023 survival horror sequel. And let’s not forget ChewieOnIce, who stood by the vibrant world of the 2021 action-adventure Psychonauts 2. It was a nail-biting race, but ultimately, the crown for 2024’s final TA Playlist game goes to… Psychonauts 2!
Stepping back into the whimsical realm created by Double Fine and published by Xbox Game Studios, Psychonauts 2 emerged in 2021, a whopping 16 years after its original installment captivated fans back in 2005. We follow Razputin "Raz" Aquato, an acrobat with extraordinary psychic abilities, as he fulfills a lifelong dream of joining the elite psychic espionage group, the Psychonauts. But it’s not all smooth sailing—his new home is fraught with challenges, from a troubled leader to an insidious mole. Players embark on a thrill-packed journey through minds both ally and adversary, striving to unmask and stop a menacing psychic threat.
Our TA Community has shown love and support for Psychonauts 2, rewarding it with an impressive 4.48 out of 5 stars. Nearly 178,000 gamers have dived into its colorful world, though only about 9% (just over 16,000 adventurers) have clinched full completion. For those aiming to check off all 57 achievements, you’re looking at a 25-30 hour commitment, but CitrineWorm138’s comprehensive walkthrough could save you a bit of time. Plus, it’s currently available on all Xbox Game Pass tiers, so there’s no excuse not to jump in.
The race to the top was fierce, with Psychonauts 2 and Alan Wake 2 locked in a head-to-head battle nearly the entire time, each vying for the lead, only separated by a handful of votes. Maneater and Cuphead also brought their A-game but settled into third and fourth places, respectively, never quite catching the frontrunners.
In December, you can earn your TA Playlist badge by snagging any achievement in Psychonauts 2 or by diving into our forum discussions. New threads, both spoiler and spoiler-free, will be ready by December 1. On a quick note regarding badges: we’ve tweaked how we award those based on forum participation. Instead of automatic handing out, our mods will now periodically review posts to ensure they’re substantial before awarding badges. This means a short wait if you’re posting comments for your badge, but as long as your input is worthwhile, expect your badge soon after.
Our community has really stepped up, and the number of "badge only" posts has dropped significantly. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who adds meaningful insights and discussions to our game of the month. TA Playlist is all about these vibrant conversations, and it’s wonderful having you join in every month!
