The Psychology of Psychonauts - Black Velvetopia

[@connormclernon26]

My personal favorite part was him dropping the two, and then closing the floor. He begins to walk away, apparently decides, “well, maybe just a little more,” and opens it in time to hear them hit bottom.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Those two were falling for a long time

[@dr.rodabthicc]

the fist bump with raz after it's shut again makes it even better.

[@isacfelix1278]

I might just play that game again just to see that

[@UrLeingod]

I think another reason for Edgar's creation of an elaborate, romanticized version of what actually happened to him is that, on some level, Edgar is deeply ashamed at just how badly this "high school drama" has affected him. Society and media poke all kinds of mean-spirited fun at "washed-up jocks" who peaked in high school and obsess over their old glory days, and more generally at *anyone* who still carries the baggage of bad high school experiences with them into adulthood. Edgar couldn't bear feeling like he was "that loser who can't get over high school," so to protect himself, Edgar's mind constructed a more "acceptable" version of the story, something more dramatic and exotic and thus less likely to elicit further mockery. That's also why such a big part of Edgar's recovery is remember and acknowledging that it was, in fact, just petty high school drama at the end of the day, regardless of how much pain it caused him at the time, and coming to terms with that.

[@tsm688]

you kind of have a point, and yet, I feel that in this day and age, there's damned few people who ever actually enjoy high school.

[@CreoTan]

@@tsm688 honestly, that just enhances the idea that the pain experienced in high school is “not a big deal.” “If high school sucks for everyone, then why can’t you get over it like the rest of us” - enhancing the sense of shame

[@tsm688]

@@CreoTan I don't feel that way. I think they could do a lot to make it better.

[@spongeintheshoe]

@@tsm688 That’s the correct response to that.

[@leondyer3855]

I personally think that Edgar seperated his Good and bad memories of his friends into the dogs and the luchadores respectively, but that is only because there are four of each. Either way, great video

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I didn't mention it in full but the dogs have a duality to them. The collie and dalmatian were about his memories. The Bull Dog and dog in the first alley had to do with willingness to give up. One is trapped and does nothing. The other paints the advertisement so the bull tamer comes out.

[@jaysonklein6018]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I just liked that the bulldog sounds like Spike, from Tom and Jerry. Also, every time Raz says "Go boy!", to get the bulldog to paint, while El Odio is knocked out (it's the way Richard Horvitz voices things that gets me).

[@bedtopproductions5462]

Very Intresting theory

[@racer927]

I feel like the dogs represent a form of emotion, perhaps even his version of archetypes. The dalmatian is just a realist who tells the story up front, the collie dramatizes it, being more imaginative. The bull dog is cautious since he insists on *not* going into the street and being trampled. The first dog just seems to make the best of a bad situation, seeing as he continues to paint in the alley.

[@MarshmallowEclipse]

Ooh, that's an S-tier fan theory in my opinion. Well done.

[@TheKingsPride]

I think the most interesting thing to me is how Edgar casts himself as the bull in his own mind. Classically matadors are the good guy fighting the bull, so he on some level subconsciously accepted that he was the villain in this story. He internalized what everyone said about him, taking it as fact. So he became the bull, the monster terrorizing everyone, including the one he loved the most.

[@Xalerdane]

From what we saw in his head, Lana and Dean suffered no consequences from their actions, while Edgar was mocked and hated by everyone for losing the big match. While not intentional, this was basically a mass gaslighting of him. The truth he felt (that they had ruined everything by breaking his heart) clashed with the truth he was being told (that he was the one that ruined everything for everyone else) Lana might’ve mocked him afterwards, saying that a bull was an appropriate animal for him, as he was big, clumsy, awkward and oafish, while Dean was a ‘real man’: handsome, charming, elegant and popular. She could’ve told him that her cheating on him was his own fault, that Dean had ‘rescued’ her from Edgar. So on some level he might have thought of himself as the guilty person; a stupid beast that could only destroy the things it encountered.

[@spongeintheshoe]

Though it’s worth noting that the bull never asked to be a part of all this.

[@SnibsnBibs]

@@Xalerdane I think this is a very common thing with severe depression. You can't move on and accept healthy things because you feel you truly don't deserve them, that you are the sole source of all your problems and thus it's almost fitting that you be punished for being the way you are. Edgar hates himself for not being able to keep his woman, for letting all of his friends (though they must not have been very good ones) down. He hates himself for his perceived failures, he hates himself for hating himself. The matador is this regal, majestic figure that the bull can never defeat. He builds up the captain of the cheer team as this far superior man, better than him in every single way. Otherwise, why would his lady have left for him? According to his own logic, of course. Edgar hates himself so much that one of the main tormentors in his life is given a better status and appearance than himself, even within his very own mindscape. He sees himself as a big dumb beast inferior to the beautiful hero. Depression makes you internalize all the negatives in your life, accept them as a fundamental part of who and what you are. This is the trap that depressives end up stuck in, a spiral of self-loathing and accepting full responsibility for things that they might not even have to. Their past follows them forever, because they don't know how to deal with it. You can't just forget it (some try with things like alcohol and drugs, but it's never permanent or healthy), but they also don't know how to accept it in a way that makes it stop hurting. So they're stuck being followed by a dark cloud that continues to hurt them, again and again and again.

[@Xalerdane]

6:35 That Dalmatian was the most interesting character in the mental worlds to me, because he seemed to be the only one actually _aware_ of the fact that he and the reality he inhabited were nothing more than a huge metaphor for someone’s mental health.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Absolutely. He is all, "Yeah I know it is all BS but here I am anyway."

[@marcopirrotta2791]

I wonder if the Dalmatian was a small part of Edgar that was aware of his condition, but his obsession was more powerful.

[@SnibsnBibs]

​@@marcopirrotta2791 I agree, I think a lot of people, even those caught up in an obsession, have that little voice in the back of their head always speaking to the rationality the person secretly knows is lurking within them. Edgar was always, somewhere deep down, trying to move on from his past, but it's just a small little voice that is powerless when El Odio comes tearing through to bring any progress crashing back down and set everything back to status quo. I think we've all experienced it ourselves at some point. I can absolutely see where there are things in my life that I knew I should have been growing past or moving on from. But that obsessive hatred keeps replaying those thoughts, and the tiny rational voice is overpowered once again. It's frightening to recognize so much of myself in Edgar, in some ways. I guess that's why his level was always my favorite.

[@erikfrommeyer2606]

“He basically tells them to go to hell” Wow he just… flat out says that

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Lmao I dont know any other way to interpret that part. His expression going from pissed to indifference gets me every time.

[@OnDavidsBrain]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Then there was when he and Raz listened to them falling again waiting for the impact like in Wile E. Coyote Cartoon. Loved that.

[@blackdemonknight]

I love that if you return to Black Velvetopia after finishing it the central plaze now has Edgar playing cards with the four dogs and ultimatly the painting he does after the Lobato one is him painting the dogs playing poker.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Really shows that he is perfectly fine with all the old dogs. And mimicking that one painting. Really cool

[@BubblingBrooke]

I realized that the confusion grenade wasn't mentioned in this video, but it could also play into the story of the level? You get it from the matador to hold off el Odio, which could lead to a couple different interpretations, one being that it could be that he wants to keep himself in his delusions because in his pain it's the only semblance of comfort he has before Raz helps him let it go. It would line up with what's been presented here with his obsessiveness.

[@darkbright2100]

It is one of my headcannons that Edgar did have other relationships (represented by the windows that you can go into to escape the bull) but unfortunately were quite short (represented by literally exiting the window whenever) nor did the woman matter (represented by bieng faceless).

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I was asked about those windows in a previous comment. Let me know what you think. My thoughts were in one vault Lana exchanges a rose and in order to jump into the window we must exchange a Rose as well. My interpretation is that the love of a woman as an abstract thing is what allows us to avoid the bull and proceed down the street safely.

[@darkbright2100]

@@GamingUniversityUoG hhm.... perhaps Edgar remenbering the time they spent together gave him a brief respite from his anger; pehaps Edgar thought that if he gave her the rose she wold fall in to his arms again (though that is just me bieng a romantic).

[@CreoTan]

@@darkbright2100 which makes sense, as Edgar is a romantic as well! Not only due to his desire for romantic love, but in the more literary sense in that he is romanticizing his own memories

[@SnibsnBibs]

I think this could have some meaning to it. With a very powerful and emotionally weighty first love, the ones that come after can often be compared to the first. If the first experience holds a special enough place in their heart, they may still come back to those times and that one special person in their thoughts, even as they are currently with a new person. Edgar may have had lots of opportunity to move on with his life, start something with new partners, and yet El Odio and the matador continue to haunt him, souring new chances to grow past the pain. I remember experiencing that sort of thing, my first girlfriend made all the ones that came after seem bland in comparison. Of course, this is just experience keeping you informed and not too emotionally invested because you've been hurt before and are cautious. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but even in recent times I've found myself comparing the women I've met to the first. This is despite me knowing it's simply rose-tinted nostalgia glasses of something that was so new and exciting in a way the following ones couldn't be because they didn't get to leave that all-powerful, trend-setting first impression.

[@fractalairduct7600]

The structure of this level is mostly a narrow, linear path. It requires careful navigation, or El Odio will barrel into you, pushing you backwards, forcing you to repeatedly retread the same ground. OCD, by its nature, is repetitive - forcing you to repeat the same pattern of actions over and over, even when your conscious mind knows it's irrational - ensuring that doors are locked by checking them six or seven times, for example.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I love how they design the worlds to place the player into the same mode of thought as the character.

[@tup4443]

To be considerd OCD it needs to take up at least 1h of your day so imagine having to check that door for HOURS.

[@cannonballking7]

Black Velvetopia, the level which everybody loves. Seriously I have spoken and listened to tons of people and I have only met one person who though it was just alright. For good reason, gameplay wise it is great and artistically wise it is a masterpiece. The characters are fun, and it touches on some emotions which are near universal one way or another. You have done another great job on this analysis and can't wait for the future events. Keep up the good work, and have a nice day.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I agree. This one certainly touched base on some topics that we have all experienced at one point. Everyone looks back at High School and has something they regret or wish to forget. One of the most influential times in our lives.

[@Nerketur]

I certainly love it, for many reasons. My favorite mind in Psychonauts 1. It's so colorful, it's fun to maneuver in, paintings are all great, and the only truly annoying part is the bull. Definitely a great level.

[@roxsauce7862]

Black Velvetopia actually got me into the art style of Black Velvet, honestly.

[@mattpace1026]

I also find it just alright. Not bad at all, but not my cup of tea.

[@TCO_404]

It's my least favorite, but by Psychonauts standards that still means it's pretty good. 😁

[@wjzav1971]

This is such a powerful level. And you really feel sorry for Edgar. He had a perfect life. Successful captain of a good wrestling team and a beautiful girlfriend. And then she dumps him, he looses the state finals and the entire school turns on him. His entire life goes bottoms-up and his only explanation is his girlfriend breaking up with him. But since he associates her with positive feelings, he can't hate her and longs for her, so he rationalizes that it was the Cheerleader who stole her from him. The guy who caused the chain reaction that derailed his life. I like that the final realization was that she was not as perfect as he thought and that he is better off putting the past behind him, looking for happiness elsewhere and that a woman who dumped you is not worth chasing after.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is really sad. Edgar is a very relatable guy too which is why I think he is the only one mentioned in Rhombus of Ruin. It is lucky his anger issues didn't get directed towards either of the cheerleaders. I have some friends who have been on the receiving end and ended up having to get a restraining order against a man who remained obsessed with her for years after. This is a darker side of Edgar's pathology which luckily he never displayed. Directing it all into his art instead.

[@pretzelbomb6105]

@@GamingUniversityUoGWell, we’re assuming he never displayed it. He was institutionalized in Thorny Towers, after all.

[@Fragmentsinfractals488]

The "Water" says blood to me. The Water, like blood in the sewer. Hiding the "blood of the high school" in the Sewer. However, it rains out of the fountains. Good video!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is funny. In my original script I just called it red water. However, halfway through editing I went into the primal memories for Edgar and it labelled it as red paint. So I went back in to the record every mention to it lol. That's why some audio bits sound a bit different in those spots.

[@discordlexia2429]

Red fluid flowing through round passageways beneath the city, like blood veins. Like the trauma is the blood that fuels his entire mind.

[@level5650]

A dark interpretation of that is that Edgar’s “friends” might have started bullying him in the showers after practice when losing his girlfriend ruined his performance. The blood pouring out of the locker room and flooding the rest of the school could possibly represent how bullying deeply soured Edgar’s view of his entire adolescence.

[@fermintenava5911]

The red water also comes together at the Plaza/art room, which was the only place for Edgar to turn his high school pain into something meaningful.

[@Avelphina]

Everybody goes ham for the Milkman Conspiracy, but this is my personal favorite level.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Milkman Conspiracy definitely earns the hype but the other worlds are so fascinating I feel they get overlooked.

[@pike239]

like milkman conspiracy is good but black velvetopia is good for how it changes the art style symbolism and edgar teeglee himself

[@firstwaddledee9182]

Same. Black velvetopia is the best.

[@m90e]

Who wouldn’t enjoy the Milkman Conspiracy? It has the Milkman, the best non playable character in Psychonauts. He is the Milkman, and his milk is delicious. Milkman Conspiracy and Black Velvetopia are the best levels in the original Psychonauts. Change my mind.

[@chriscormac231]

@@m90e it's filled with what the world wants, what the world *deserves*

[@4444Ferris]

Isn't it part of the simbolism that the representation of the guy who took his honey is a matador and he is a bull? Something like, despite his strength and accomplishments, Edgar was sacrifice by him. He sees that dude like the end of his life until Raz helped him

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

He also casts the matadore with a vain and self-indulgent personality. Very obvious what his opinion of Dean was.

[@Enigma2Me]

I find the juxtaposition of the Collie and Dalmatian to be kinda funny, like how the Collie (who gives a fabricated fantasy of a Spanish/Mexican romantic tragedy) has this somewhat fake sounding posh accent, and then the Dalmatian who gives the real version sounds like an American nerd. It's like even the voices were done in a way to go "nah, that's total bullshit, here's what really happened."

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Haha I never thought about it that way. That's hilarious. Yeah I'm all high society fakeness while the one dressed like a fireman is all, okay let's be real for a second.

[@holgerlarsson7531]

This game is truly amazing! There are so many symbolic layer you can just keep feeling back forever! I know about how the sewers are repressed memories, but the detail you pointed out with the red paint is something I’ve never though about before. Your videos are by far the best someone has covered this game!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Honestly there could be a two hour breakdown per level and still not finish talking about everything. It is amazing.

[@EGRJ]

It's weird how the collie's clothes make him look like both Da Vinci...and a Rasta. I doubt that's on purpose.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Who knows lol. The character models and design that Double Fine does is always wacky

[@comradebusman3]

The more I watch this series, the more I wish we had technology like this in real life. I’d kill to see what my mind would look like to a psychonaut, especially because I still don’t quite understand my own thoughts at least 1/3rd of the time

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

If they worked on this type of tech it would he fascinating. Cassie in the sequel used the phrase 'checkup' when raz entered. It would be so cool to go to someone like this for a mental checkup as easily as one goes to the doctor for a health checkup.

[@lollikabosso.w.n7153]

I think thats the worst thing we could do, considering human nature and how in second game, we find out its almost easy to change human mind.

[@connormclernon26]

@@lollikabosso.w.n7153and the catastrophic consequences thereof when done haphazardly.

[@spongeintheshoe]

@@lollikabosso.w.n7153 Well, we have medical technology.

[@willisrose9756]

I was hoping you'll make a Psychonauts video soon so the timing is perfect!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Took a bit but I'm glad to have it out for you all!

[@darkarcheos]

Yeah I cannot wait for Psychonauts 2 videos after Rhumbas of Ruins

[@ruttsuco.804]

There's something to be said here about not obsessing over the past, and learning to let go of your past.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That is basically Edgar's challenge here. His entire life has been controlled and ruined because he couldn't let it go.

[@thinkingboi9508]

If i had a nickel everytime i played a game where a certain level's main message is to let go while being spanish themed, i would have two nickels which isn't a lot but it is weird that it happened twice

[@jaysonklein6018]

This was beautiful. Great job going over everything in Edgar's obcessed, fabricated memories. It felt like I was listening to a documentary of his life (which, honestly, his backstory is the most interesting, along with Boyd's).

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! This level really painted a good picture of his life.

[@raxelleon8189]

The characters of Fred and Edgar have more in common than you think. While at first, it seems like their problems are opposite since Fred prefers to avoid his problems and Edgar is too caught up in his. They do have one thing in common: they both like to delude themselves about how they should go about dealing with their problems.

[@NububuChan]

Oh, I never knew art therapy could be used that way (immersion) - interesting!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Honestly, neither did I. During my research I saw several articles on Art Therapy and OCD. That example of the bathroom was taken right out of one of the papers on the topic.

[@WoeUponThee]

Just discovered these videos and a new one comes out a little later, what a lucky day! Great content.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Well welcome aboard! Perfect timing too

[@DatHarlequinOni]

"As he basically tells them to go to hell" Love your use of language here. It's brilliant.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Haha sometimes you just need to call it as you see it.

[@DatHarlequinOni]

@@GamingUniversityUoG As someone with PTSD from years of abuse by others and minor stints in jail I gotta say Edgar's dropping his trauma down a pit to hell is incredibly inspiring. Would that we all could do that with the memories of the people who hurt us.

[@battybuddy]

Lol,I thought Edgar literally “dropped” them, but I guess telling them to go to hell works as well.

[@battybuddy]

I think Edgar is the one brain I genuinely feel GOOD helping. Like “we’re friends now!”

[@battybuddy]

Gloria comes close, but I think Edgar’s little moment where he opens the floor for a split second to hear the screams briefly just makes you smile at what you accomplished.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I love it too because in RoR, Edgar is the only one he mentions after. After seeing the Bull in the fake UFO he says he's naming him edgar after a friend.

[@dragonfire280]

I like how he just looks at the two then calmly sends the two to the shadow realm

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That little smirk was awesome lmao

[@dragonfire280]

@@GamingUniversityUoG how did I achieve this?

[@Titan990]

So anyway, the confusion grenade in this level. Clairvoyance in Boyd’s mind makes sense since it’s heavily related to being watched all the time. Butt the confusion grenade is well…confusing. My guess is that it relates to edgars state of being torn between his fabricated reality and the reality of his memories.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I honestly haven't thought too much on Confusion grenades in this level. Seemed a little out of nowhere.

[@Titan990]

@@GamingUniversityUoG yeah it’s a very weak one narratively speaking. I think they could have leaned more into the breaking of reality for him instead of rage. It would have allowed a stronger reasons as to why he’s there too.

[@user-cz8gi2om3n]

I thought it makes perfect sense. Being betrayed by someone you trust tends to send you into a state of confusion where it is impossible to discern reality or tell up from down anymore.

[@matthewwong707]

Was looking forward to another analysis!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I hope it was worth the wait!

[@skibiditoiletbrainrot_]

@@GamingUniversityUoG they always are

[@jakobm87]

Massive kudos for introducing me (and probably many others) to the wonderful franchise that is Psychonauts! I was already a fan of games were you go inside characters minds, such as Persona 4 and 5. But not even Persona executes the concept quite as well as Psychonauts. Taking the release dates into consideration, it's fully possible that the team behind Persona took inspiration from Psychonauts when developing the latest installments.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It wouldn't surprise me. Psychoanuts is the gold standard for this type of storytelling. I've enjoyed persona 4 so far. Haven't gotten too far into it though.

[@courseprism1017]

Watching your videos has been very educational and therapeutic for me. (I know I can just look this stuff up myself, but it's nice to have it neatly and entertainingly presented like this) In particular I suffer from intense symptoms of OCD, so I was really looking forward to this vid on Black Velvetopia.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is great to hear from you. I hope I did the explanation justice. It is always good to hear from individuals who have first hand experience of these topics and make sure they line up.

[@GlassesIncorp47]

One theory I had was that Edgar is the most sane person in Thorney Towers. As he may have random out bursts of rage but he is rather sane in his speech and body language outside of the rant about the bull, and I find way to many censors in his mind as in almost every ally has a small gang of sensors just waiting for you.

[@tsm688]

He is the exact opposite of chaotic yes.

[@mrwizard5012]

He gives the impression that he admitted himself to the asylum or something. Like hes not even kept there, he can easily take his foot out of the shackle!

[@theenderdestruction2362]

​@mrwizard5012 he probably did that to help himself recover

[@ye11owman29]

The fact that I can relate to all of these characters and the problems they face show's how good they are written.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Straight facts. One of the reasons I love this game is how good the character writing is

[@StrangerINC]

My favorite level of them game that soundtrack still gives game goosebumps.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Spanish guitar is incredible. Back in college there was a musician from Spain who came over to perform. Since then I fell in love with this style.

[@maxleroux]

This is my favorite level in the game. Double Fine did a great job of creating a vibrant world based on Mexican culture. Another great game that does this well is Grim fandango, which was also remastered by Double Fine a few years ago, and a game that you should definitely consider doing a review on your channel for the Day of the Dead. 💀

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I've seen Grim Fandango around but never picked it up to play. I'll out it up on poll once the Alan Wake Remastered series is done.

[@maxleroux]

@@GamingUniversityUoG kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ6semOFaMdqlas

[@KaminoKatie]

El Odio is Edgar's fursona

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'll never unsee this. Thank you lmao

[@aaronhussey8522]

This is a late comment, but I feel like I want to express it anyway: I have this headcanon that after the events of the first game, the Asylum Inmates headed towards Whispering Rock and took up the jobs that Ford left behind when he returned to the Motherlobe. In my mind, the jobs the inmates got goes as follows: Boyd - Cook (He is seen using a grill in his mind during the end credits of the first game) Gloria - Janitor (Has an affinity for the outside and is shown to be good at organizing stuff, as shown with her garden.) Fred - Ranger (Being a Park Ranger may make him nostalgic of his time as an orderly) Edgar - Boatman (It keeps him away from the rowdy, noisy kids that would disrupt his peace of mind.) Crispin - Ranger (at Night) (If he were to escape with the rest, I could see him and Fred working the same job, one who works the day shift, the other at night)

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I really wish we learned what happened with them after this was all over. It would not surprise me if the Psychonauts picked them up to assist in some way. But considering the Gristol Malik situation happened like two days later i suppose they were distracted. Cripsin is the only one I am not sure on with your headcanon. He doesn't strike me as someone who would play ball.

[@Ixmore]

@@GamingUniversityUoGcould also be just as likely that they decided to squat around the campsite a least to get their bearing. They been around in the asylum for who knows how long and long after it closed. I can’t imagine there are many people they know who can help them. But I can imagine the Ford Cruller in his many states did put them to work at the camp while providing them a place to stay.

[@emo-nordegraf]

i really really like the levels that change out raz's textures, like how he takes on a cel shaded look in the sensorium (is that how its spelt?) in PN2. i love how it makes him fit in with the aesthetic of black velvetopia

[@EGRJ]

This level is about obsession and obsessive-compulsive disorder. But it's also about OCD and obsession. And obsession and obsessive-compulsive disorder. And-

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Lmao pretty much. It is more about Obsessions as his compulsion only shows up briefly before we come in. But it is a fun case study to look at.

[@thejman5683]

Psychonauts: *Has a character named El Odio* Me: *ODIO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, LIVE A LIVE DOESNT COME OUT UNTIL THIS FRIDAY*

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Hey Odio needed a vacation in a different game.

[@mr.j3rs3y]

Clearly El Odio is another incarnation of Odio🐂

[@LokeSandwall]

Yay!! I have been looking forward to this so much!!!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

So good to hear! I hope you enjoy.

[@LokeSandwall]

@@GamingUniversityUoG thanks for another amazing video! It’s crazy how much thought is put behind the levels of Psychonauts! It truly is, as Edgar probably would say, a true work of art!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I've never seen a game that takes this much time to craft their worlds. Everything has meaning and acts as characterization for their characters. It is phenomenal

[@krink6]

it's so cool that you made your channel intro title card spanish for this video. such a nice little touch that grabs me immediately

[@syrew900]

I wish Rasputins black light outfit was available in Psychonauts 2

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That would be awesome! Would have been such a good call back.

[@cas329]

I enjoy your breakdown's of the Psychonauts levels, keep 'em coming.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I fully plan on it. These are a ton of fun to work on.

[@rayceeya8659]

YAY I just found your channel yesterday and you're updating today! Thank you!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Perfect timing!

[@bramslamm]

YES I had to click on this right away, so glad to see more psychonauts analysis!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is great to hear your excitement for these!

[@marshmeowlow]

i was honestly waiting for you to do this one! your videos on this stuff is honestly really good (edit, fixed some grammer.)

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! Working on these is so much fun.

[@user-cz8gi2om3n]

Love this level, double fine did a great job making such a relatable character with Edgar.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm pretty sure a lot of us have had a similar experience going through school. Great writing

[@RawCauliflower]

Super excited for your psychology review on the Psychonauts 2 minds, especially the secondary (or even main) antagonist.

[@RawCauliflower]

Not to mention Helmut Fullbear, which really was a good summary of how a prisoners (especially a falsely accused one) mind can deteriorate from serving a very long prison sentence. Especially if they are subjected to solitary confinement, where they just struggle to control their new found freedom when finally released.

[@Ronin11111111]

WOOOO! BABY! THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Haha oh yeah. I'm happy to provide

[@nobodiesbusiness2731]

I like the title of the level, I believe it's a reference to the Irish song "Black Velvet Band" where the singer is betrayed by a beautiful woman. Absolutely lovely detail if they're correlated.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Well it is based upon the Black Velvet art style. But this is a really cool correlation as well.

[@LemonadeStand618]

Omg thank you so much for decoding this, honestly it was pretty easy for me to tell what the other patients were going through but Edgar is where I got stumped. His mind is just so symbolic and random compared to the others.

[@beastwarsFTW]

Another pun with the dogs is a collie is a herding bread of dog and the go around animals to herd them just like the collie is going around the truth while dalmatians are used to clear paths, AKA getting to the point, the dalmatian gets right to the point.

[@rayceeya8659]

I consider this the prettiest level in Psychonauts 1. Also I have a velvet copy of Dogs Playing Poker AKA Help From a Friend. Iconic 80s guy thing.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That's so cool! I've seen it around before but never knew the title of it.

[@rayceeya8659]

@@GamingUniversityUoG If you look close one of the dogs is sneaking a few cards to one of the other dogs.

[@simonemancuso3576]

Psychonauts (1) is a timeless masterpiece

[@navyhusky2020]

Absolutely gorgeous level, even nearly two decades after

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Imagine a remaster using Psychonauts 2 graphics. This world would be phenomenal

[@frogmouth2]

KZbin never sent me this video despite being subscribed. I think it’s cuz I don’t watch ur livestreams so KZbin is like “well damn guess he isn’t interested in his content anymore!”. It’s maybe also partially because I skipped your psychonauts 2 streams cuz I wanna stay spoiler free till the day I get a console that can actually play psychonauts 2 so KZbin was thought I didn’t enjoy your psychonauts content anymore. Either way ya another great level. I think when you actually break it down the story in this level is probably one of the simpler ones with no parental suicide, trauma caused by mind reading or revenge arson but that makes it arguably one of the most realistic and relatable minds in the game along with oleander’s suppressed inferiority complex.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

KZbin is weird with their recommendations. But yeah Edgar's is probably the most normal guy here all things considered. Make sme wonder how much of his outward behavior is because of the psitanium.

[@PokemonRules333]

@@GamingUniversityUoGto me it’s relatable not in a sense I ever been through this in high school but the fact that to me many schools put too much emphasis on sports to the point where I wouldn’t be surprised that schools would react that way to students losing a sports championship game it sounds like the teachers did nothing to stop the students bullying and actually punish the students and teach them that winning isn’t everything I know it’s a video game but still

[@thesleeper2587]

Edgar is one of my favourite characters.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I think he is the one Raz was closest to. Mostly since edgar gets mentioned in Rhombus of Ruin as a friend.

[@thesleeper2587]

I also think Edgar's problem is one of the realest ones out there too, as I understood how he felt.. Also accidentally painting a bull fighter and a bull, as a painter I've experienced that very situation.

[@inertfluid9000]

Amazing analysis, man! I always look forward to these videos! Keep up the good work! Not to be that guy, but do you have plans to analyze the minds in Psychonauts 2 as well?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm really glad to hear you enjoy these! And absolutely I will be working on the Psychonauts 2 worlds as well. Just need to finish up Meat Circus and do a video in the Campers themselves before jumping in..

[@inertfluid9000]

@@GamingUniversityUoG You are the man! Looking forward to it! 😌

[@Joeybott]

I really enjoy this series, thanks for keeping at it :)

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Absolutely! I've been enjoying working in these.

[@PhunkMaster-VivatChristusRex]

The opening guitar strumming gets me every time. I got chills the moment I heard it. Black Velvetopia is my favorite level in the Psychonauts franchise, followed by The Milkman Conspiracy. Excellent!

[@kiayaplews8593]

Just one world left: Meat Circus. After that, it is time to make the sequels to "Psychology of Psychonauts" via Rhombus of Ruin and Psychonauts 2

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That's the plan!

[@austinbattin5061]

I subscribed because of your psychonauts psychology vids. Keep em coming! 😍

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! I absolutely will make them for all of the sequel levels too.

[@austinbattin5061]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I love you. Don't stop

[@Iteration456-8_codename_goblin]

Long awaited and 100% worth it

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad to hear! I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[@jeremymtz2443]

Awesome analysis!! Keep it up

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

More to come for sure.

[@maxtrieschmann2573]

As usual, another great video!!!! So, I’m guessing that next will be meat circus, Loboto from Rhombus of Ruin, then of to Psychonauts 2 (which will no doubt be the most interesting batch of brains), am I right?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You nailed it. Meat circus, both Lobato worlds then full tilt into PS2 worlds.

[@lou626]

Im gonna enjoy this , like you cant imagine EXCELENT VIDEO! btw is "Luchadores"

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! And damn I guess I had some spelling issues in it. My bad.

[@lou626]

@@GamingUniversityUoG no prob! Awezome video as always . May i ask something? The next one is the meat circus right?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Yes Meat Circus will be up next.

[@lou626]

@@GamingUniversityUoG ok ty

[@amandaalvis5958]

You think that because he was on the wrestling team and injuries, especially head injuries, are common in that sport that maybe it was not just a wholly intentional fabrication? Given that, it is perfectly considerable to consider both as causes.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Could be a possibility. Couldn't say for sure. It would have had to be serious head trauma to cause it.

[@amandaalvis5958]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Well, we don't know his medical history..so, chalk it up as one in the possibility column. After all, physical injuries may heal, but mental ones or undiagnosed ones tend to pass like ships in the night and can miss the target of identification, sometimes for years depending upon how it builds.

[@Roz4628]

Great Vid GU!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much Zorbie!

[@buddyboi4493]

I really enjoy your analysis videos, they’re fun as well as give me an understanding on what exactly is happening or what I didn’t really get before, thanks for making them!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it! That's the goal. My philosophy is that the further we dive into these stories the greater love we develop for them.

[@FutureBoyEXE]

Alright everybody, now that we've tamed the bull, it's time to get out the charcoal, propane, and bbq sauce, because here comes the meat.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That is the best way to get some hype for a Meat Circus I've ever heard!

[@قهقاع]

Thank you, I am learning a lot.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad to hear it! That's my hope at the end of the day, to bring awareness to some of these topics.

[@mul3307]

It's what I expected so thank you

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it

[@mul3307]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I'm wondering what you would think of the evil within series, hopefully you'll enjoy the deep dive and the recommendation

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I am going to have Evil Within in the pole for the next game we're going to stream. Never played it before.

[@gamerheart8148]

I know everybody does it Gloria, Fred, Edger but I always liked doing it Edger, Fred, Gloria because I get the confusion power sooner.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I honestly never thought about hitting up edgar first to get the confusion grenades. Honestly I never really uses them past that boss fight.

[@odiedog]

Wonderful videos! Thank you so much for them.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

My pleasure!

[@axeldeeker5644]

Been waiting for this

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Hope it was worth the wait!

[@axeldeeker5644]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Can't wait for your Psychonauts 2 coverage!

[@jeremytung1632]

This is my favorite level from an aesthetic stand point.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is definitely gorgeous

[@jamesmccaffrey9042]

Just chiming in to say that I love this series

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! On a side note I choose to believe you're the real James McCaffrey.

[@noisyphilosopherkrk522]

The fact he is painting loboto may indicate that oleander and loboto despite their plan were treating them well enough to be liked by the patients, combine that with the likely way oleander helped boyd by tying all his delusions to the milkman They were bad guys but not necessarily villains, misguided if anything not helped by the mole in psychonauts 2 being involved with lobotos scheme and possibly oleanders Though it makes one wonder what purposes oleander had in mind for gloria and edgar, mayhaps as distraction/infiltrator and muscle for their scheme? bonaparte on the other hand was most likely a package deal with the patient turned orderly which may mean that mr. In desperate need of glasses may feel some form of responsibility with bonapartes state or mayhaps feels in someway indebted? It's always interesting what one can figure out by looking at the connections and dragging them to their logical out come

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

This is the biggest gap in the Psychoanuts timeline. Where exactly do the patients line up with Oleander and Lobato laying claim to Thorney Towers? According to the timeline they were there over 30 years. But that doesn't seem practical.

[@noisyphilosopherkrk522]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Nor does it seem likely if only because of their personalities and knowledge It's my personal theory that oleander commandeered them from other asylums and the reason these asylums would so readily part with them is the psychonauts possible connection to their worlds version of the mental health system, a mutually beneficial one that allows the psychonauts to train both themselves and recent inititiates in the safe exploration and repair of unstable minds and the mental health system has such individuals helped in a manner safer than any methods they currently have You'd probably see a bit more of my conclusion jumping in your other psychonauts videos so pardon if you've already read them and find my repetition of this idea not quite your cup of tea

[@RhantheSlayer]

Awesome video. Is it also possible to misremember something because you remembered it a certain way for so long you essentially forgot what actually happened and accidently created a false memory?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

The Mandela Effect essentially

[@tsm688]

it is surprisingly easy to create a false memory. Someone else tells you about something that didn't happen long enough and you can remember it

[@jamiegladwell8770]

Great video, dude! I can't wait until you do the psychology of Psychonauts 2 levels!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I can't wait to work on those either! They will be fun to explore.

[@jamiegladwell8770]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I already know for the Moth in Bob's Bottles is to symbolize his alcoholism.

[@BonesPower]

Another awesome analysis! Love this series so much!!!! Thank you for making these! 🧠

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! I love making these.

[@EthicalQ]

I love this video keep up the good work

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aruce9]

I am looking forward to your coverage of the final mind in the game (meat circus) and the minds in psychonauts 2

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm looking forward to working on them as well.

[@choopy8493]

I know this video is old, but the first time i played this level, i instantly felt sorry for edgar, because rigth now im dealing with the same situation, gf dumped me for another guy, so i felt his pain, but playing trougth the level, and seeing him accepting and overcoming this, made me feel a little better, nice video

[@SnibsnBibs]

Edgar's level is at the forefront of my thoughts when I remember this game. It was bar none my absolute favorite, due to both the utterly wild artstyle and the sad relatability of Edgar. The ways people can hurt you are boundless, and sometimes it doesn't even take any effort on their part. And pretty much 100% of the time (barring illegal and immoral actions), there's absolutely NOTHING you can do to get "justice" for yourself. Sometimes, someone breaks your heart, and there's no way to get back at them or "fix" whatever it is about you that is preventing you from being together. There's no do-overs, no take-backsies, no way to make things go back to the way they were in the golden years or get revenge for what they did to you. Sometimes, someone breaks your heart, leaves you effortlessly, takes everything you gave them right out of your soul along with them, and there's not one single thing more for you to do except for pick yourself up and move on. That's why El Odio is such a powerful force in his mind, a pain was inflicted on him, and there's no resolution. There's no getting the girl, beating the villain, and riding off into a fairytale sunset. You can't kill or satiate the bull. There's no way to make what happened NOT have happened. All you can do is accept the past, that someone got to crush your heart with no repercussions or cosmic justice, and just continue moving forward. It's how you defeat El Odio, and by extent OCD and depression, and it's the hardest thing in the world: Let go. Starve the beast. The woman I was going to ask to marry me, and who I honestly at the time thought was going to say yes, left me stone cold with barely a single-paragraph text. And would you believe me if I said the first thing I thought of moments after, while sitting there in the dark with a beer and a smoke processing what just happened... was Black Velvetopia and that damn bull?

[@Artista_Frustrado]

something that i love about El Odio being Edgar instead of Dean & the Dalmatian is that Edgar is fully aware that he's the actual source of the problem. also the fact that out of the 4 Patients he's the only one who's fully solved - Fred might have gained the drive of "Napoleon" but it doesn't seem he's aware of his tendency to just give up - Gloria's inner critic might be dealt with, but she never really dealt with the grief of her mother's passing - yeah the Milkman might be gone, but Boyd is still unable to filter out his myriad of Intrusive thoughts

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I loved the other dogs. 100% knowing that the false script he wrote for himself isnt accurate

[@isacfelix1278]

I like how the fact that the voices of the two dogs clearly show who's telling the truth the Collie sounds like a storyteller while the dalmatian sounds like he's just some guy

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Our guy edgar knows what's up even if he can't admit it to himself. The dogs VAs are great

[@domagojstuka3961]

Amazing video, keep it up!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You're awesome thank you! Already have the next three ones planned.

[@ahitfan1captaina]

Can we get this video series towards Psychonauts 2

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

This series will 100% continue for the sequel as well once or get to that point.

[@lucyread]

I did Edgar before Bonaparte because he just seemed more interesting.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I have heard lot of people played it that way. Personally, I just went in the order I found them.

[@bamsegod]

Excellent video again. Thank you

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it!

[@TheBlackDemon1996]

I always thought the water in the level was wine, not paint...

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I didn't see evidence of alcohol problems here. I just figured since he is a painter it would fit

[@TheBlackDemon1996]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I mean yeah, yours make more sense, I was just saying what I thought.

[@theunitedcommonwealth715]

I know this video is going to be awesome and have no BULL in it so lets have a RAZAL DAZAL time :) Respect and keep up the epic work.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I hope it had all the razal and all the dazal! Thank you so much

[@theunitedcommonwealth715]

@@GamingUniversityUoG No problem you do excellent work.

[@wolfhurricane897]

If you look at the singlets of Edgar and his squad it has the animals of the wrestlers in the world and Edgar's has the bull representing El Odio.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm surprised his wrestling jacket from school still fits him

[@wolfhurricane897]

@@GamingUniversityUoG maybe he had two versions? A smaller one and a bigger one?

[@wolfhurricane897]

That or when he got older he cut the sleeves off the jacket.

[@squeee4307]

Love these vids

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@crowcoregames1785]

realy hope u do some videos for psychonauts 2

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'll be going into Psychonauts 2 for sure.

[@crowcoregames1785]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I'm really happy to hear that, your videos are very high quality

[@AnthonyMtheGamerArtist]

The only reason I knew “El Odio” represented Edgar’s hatred was due to the SNES game “LIVE A LIVE” and its main antagonist, the Demon King Odio.

[@mr.j3rs3y]

GREETINGS FELLOW LIVE-A-LIVE FAN! 👀

[@nutwit1630]

Interesting to note also that he keeps building and rebuilding this house of cards to his love, but the bull continuously destroys it when he gets close. We know that the story he told himself about the woman he is trying to reach is false, but it is the act of reaching that has become an important coping mechanism for him. Therefore, the bull HAS to prevent him from finishing his work; if he finishes the work and builds the tower, he will be forced to confront the truth of the situation, and he can't handle that yet.