Psychology of Psychonauts | Loboto's Lobotomy

[@shelbywatson1464]

My favorite little detail: after getting his moral compass back, the second he is able to be free he remembers he has a son still at camp and goes to get him.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

So freaken cute! I'm looking forward to getting a confirmation on his kids identity. Either D'Artagnan or Bobby are the two big theories.

[@shelbywatson1464]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Watch them throw us for a loop and it be someone like JT!

[@BabyCharmander]

He said “kid,” not son! My thought is that it’s Linda.

[@racer927]

@@shelbywatson1464 "Aw shoot, pops! I was wonderin' when you'd come to take me back to the ranch!"

[@dicyanoacetylene6220]

I'm fairly certain that him saying he had a kid at the camp was him trying to B.S. an excuse to Raz about his escape attempt from Sasha's lab.

[@larsthememelord3383]

I noticed that loboto’s father has torn clothing and stitching near the heart maybe showing how loboto does see his father as heartless

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Interesting thought for that detail.

[@Nicooriia]

His pleas in his mindscape when nearing the end of the level are heart-wrenching. He starts cynical and playful like a naughty child, but the more you push forward and try to negotiate with him, the more he sounds like a frightened child, begging Raz to let go and not pry any further because he's afraid of the person he's been working for. It's made even more clear by the number of Regrets and Doubts that increase even more and more as you go in, and I think they point out that the presence of these enemies means there's a part of Loboto that wants to help.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is common for those trying to hide something. When far away it is oosu. The closer you get to the thing you're hiding the harder you push back. I'm just curious if those doubts and regrets were there before getting the moral compass back or only after.

[@Nicooriia]

@@GamingUniversityUoG thats a really good question, but we didn't even get censors in Rhombus of Ruin, maybe Loboto was begging for help, which is why you get the shipmate as a "guide"for what must be done. A part of him, however small, wanted to find that moral compass and be good, he just didn't know the way.

[@joshcoy6748]

@@Nicooriia maybe the moral compass was what made censors begin to reappear to help protect what little of their mind remained.

[@Nicooriia]

@@joshcoy6748 thats a good point. also remember he was trying to protect his most guarded and feared secret, so that's enough reason for the censors to see Raz and the team as a threat.

[@firehedgehog1446]

It sounds to me like Loboto's parents cared more about their social standing than they did about their own son, they didn't see him as their son, they saw him, initially, as a tool to preserve or even elevate their social standing, but after they found out he has psychic powers, they saw him as a risk to their social standing

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I hate to say it but I see this mentality with some parents. They see their children as accessories rather than an autonomous human being.

[@somuchtocook9159]

@@GamingUniversityUoG it’s often abusive and it’s probably that the mind here thinks of his abilities as something to shame

[@bayersbluebayoubioweapon8477]

Reminds me of my parents bar the psychic powers.

[@theenderdestruction2362]

​@@CamdenKaneakaNeptunesdaughteradoption, you do realize what you put out here right, especially at that stage of life oh their minds would be in bloody shambles

[@CamdenKaneakaNeptunesdaughter]

@@theenderdestruction2362aware of that detail now, but any system can be improved.

[@doritoarts9878]

While looking into loboto myself for an essay of mine I noted that he doesn't really act like "typical" lobotomy patients, but his actions are decently in line with that of abuse victims. My personal head-canon is that his psychic powers are "bridging the gap" for what he lost in the lobotomy.

[@MmeCShadow]

It's important to remember -- especially in regards to his parents -- that what we're seeing aren't *actually* his parents, and aren't even memories. They're Loboto's perception of events. They're what how he believes his parents thought of him. So the father being embarrassed at the idea of his son taking up dentistry? Not necessarily a real anti-dentist prejudice but an assumption that his father is ashamed of him. His mother calling him a devil-child? Not necessarily something she said, but an assumption that he makes on her behalf. This is especially illustrated in that the backstory is being presented by Loboto playing all the roles. Chances are this is the story he's been telling himself for decades, trying to understand why parents that he no doubt loved would hurt him the way they did.

[@obitosenju3768]

Actualy that is a good point. Especialy since from lobotomy he would have his memories warped at least a litlle bit.

[@Enigma2Me]

Alternatively, it could also be a representation of his deep negative association with them, that he basically takes away their real voices and substitutes it with his own. The majority of mental characters who are associated with an actual person, we've seen always have their voices playing that role, whether it be Raz' father Augustus or the Psychic Six in each others' minds. So to have Loboto not even allow his own family to have their voices could be indicative of his deep anger and pain towards them. They denied HIS identity, so he'll strip away THEIR identity in his mind.

[@JmonsterNEO]

Those perceptions had to have come from somewhere.

[@mindyourownparsley9967]

Well considering this is his key trauma aswell as his perception of reality it's fully possible that what we see isn't truly wrong The center could be right 1. Parents wanted him to be a high achiever 2. Dentist was viewed as "not enough" either thinking he (lobato) was better then a dentist or that they wanted more then a dentist 3. Parents hated his telepathy his unique skill and wanted it gone and at that young of age what you are good at is kinda your image of yourself, good at crafts, you are an artist They removed what he most likely viewed himself as and told him what he wanted to be wasn't good enough Probably didn't call him a "demon child" but definitely did many key parts

[@samvanroon5041]

That brings to mind another idea what if loboto's Lobotomy was actually for a different reason, for example removal of a tumor in his brain, trying to explain such an idea to a small child would have been difficult at best.

[@EALM95]

I love that his moral compass is returned, but he is still of no help to the psychonauts, mainly cause he's also tied up by threats and blackmail and the like. So even tho he feels like he should help, he can't bring himself to do it.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

My hope is that little by little we can help Loboto become a better person. Two times around the bend each helped him a little. Sooner or later he'll be in good shape. Hopefully.

[@EALM95]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Oh the primal urge to see redeemed but not quite reformed (as in, he still does questionable stuff, but maybe now with good intentions) Loboto in action. I've seen and participated in the fanart. Hopefully something comes out of it. :)

[@hunterwaguespack3963]

If I had one gripe with psychonaughts 2 it’s that I feel they way underused/missed their chance with laboto.Between rhombus of ruin and the first level of the second game they really flush him out and make you feel for him but then don’t really do anything after that, like with him having similar “parent issues” like the coach and Raz. I think I honestly spent the majority of the game waiting to see him pop up at some dangerous point and help us lol

[@BabyCharmander]

I know right? I wish we could’ve seen a little more from him-at least a dialogue tree. (I wound up writing one for him myself since I was sad he never got one, haha.)

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I think the problem the game had on that note is they were so focused on the Psychic 7 character they completely forgot about the OG characters. Would have loved more Loboto, Coach, Sasha and Milla. Even Lily got tossed to the side a bit until the end.

[@BabyCharmander]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I wouldn't say they forgot--more like they HAD to focus on the Psychic 7 since they were the most important part of the plot, and sacrifices had to be made in order to tell that story. The game got delayed many times, and they didn't even get to do as much with all thew NEW characters as they wanted. The interns didn't get as much screentime as they deserved, and we can even seen that with some of the cut content that's been discovered (there were more intern sidequests originally, and more sidequests with the family (the whole "[Nona] probably wandered off into the woods again... she keeps doing that" line referenced a sidequest that was ultimately cut)). There was even cut content found with the original cast, so DF clearly wanted to do more with them. They did as much as they could so I can't be TOO upset about what didn't get into the game.

[@somuchtocook9159]

@@GamingUniversityUoG well too much fan service ain’t good so I could understand why there wasn’t more

[@KnoxCarbon]

Considering how much got cut and how much it got delayed, I'm surprised it launched in such a good state.

[@Enigma2Me]

Loboto's parents not having their own voices is interesting, because it could be a representation of his deep negative association with them, that he basically takes away their real voices and substitutes it with his own. The majority of mental characters who are associated with an actual person, we've seen always have their voices playing that role, whether it be Raz' father Augustus or the Psychic Six in each others' minds. So to have Loboto not even allow his own family to have their voices could be indicative of his deep anger and pain towards them. They denied HIS identity, so he'll strip away THEIR identity in his mind.

[@codatheseus5060]

Or maybe he internalized their views so completely that he viewed them as his own, and that's why they had his voice?

[@Fluffkitscripts]

Funny thing about “halitosis” is that it was actually codified by a listerine ad campaign. They took a relatively minor thing (bad breath) and turned it into a scary disease you had to get rid of at all costs. It told viewers they could have a condition that was making their peers hate them without even knowing, and the only way to get rid of it was to buy listerine. Now is it just me or does this reflect Loboto and his dad’s treatment of psychic abilities?

[@poppyfrancis7338]

Dr. Loboto, Lucy, and Gristol are some of my favorite antagonists in video games. They don't just show antagonists as human, but worth helping if possible.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

These characters really got fleshed out. There is a place for outright evil characters but these ones are far more interesting

[@kiayaplews8593]

Actually, the shower curtains and shower cap are different patterns... if you look closely, you'd see the shower cap is actually the same fabric as his mother's dress! I think, deep down, he wants to have some sign that his mother loves him unconditionally, but it's too late in his life to know for sure, especially after everything his parents put him through that prove they don't deserve the title of "parents" at all. With that said, I look forward to part 2 of your observations on Dr. Loboto (FYI: a tiny spoiler that isn't revealed until the end... let alone hinted at anywhere in the mindscape... Loboto tells Raz he has a kid at Whispering Rock, and I recall Bobby Ziltch having a strong resemblance to the crazy dentist. I don't even think that Bobby knows Loboto even is his dad, if my theory is right, but comparing the two could be a great statement on the "Nature Vs. Nurture" theory).

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I stand corrected. They looked so similar.

[@CreoTan]

Bobby and Loboto both have blue skin and red-green eyes that are different sizes!

[@DatHarlequinOni]

You bet your ass I heard the "Teeeveee...." when you mentioned surgically induced childhood.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Lmao I did as well

[@FluffyPrincess888]

1:43 he also mutters about this in psychonauts 2 "I didn't bend the spoons, Mommy"

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Poor guy

[@FluffyPrincess888]

@@GamingUniversityUoG he didn't deserve all of this

[@cannonballking7]

Loboto was one of my favourite characters from the last game, purely due to how hammy he was, with him being literally a cartoon villain, and his voice work which was 10/10. Psychonauts 2 was immediately hitting homeruns for me due to their focus on his man. Simply a great tutorial, which has an expert combination of fun, creepiness, surreal imagery, and focus on the character, all through one level. Introducing the mechanics in many ways and giving returning fans a chance to feel out what was new, and to gawk at the slick as oil graphics. Can't wait to return to the wonderful world of psychonauts, and it's odd ball cast, all through the lens of your fantastic script. Keep up the good work, and have a nice day.

[@screamingcactus1753]

I honestly really like how Psychonauts handles their antagonists. Nobody is beyond saving, anyone can get help and improve. They just have to *want* it. Even Gristol Malik, the most unambiguously villainous character in the series so far, was just a broken man who would rather stew in his own delusions than get help. The worst I can bring myself to feel for the most intentionally dislikable character in the series is pity.

[@cannonballking7]

@@screamingcactus1753 Yes that is something I really respect, and the same goes to Rhombus of Ruin fleshing Loboto out into a character with a bit more dimension, and backstory. Though I will also say, a hammy villain is just as delicious as a well written villain (as long as you don't go too far in either direction). Honestly Loboto works as a great counterbalance to the more serious main villains of Gristol and Oleander, while still working with the themes of psychonauts.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That is something I also love about Psychonauts. They bring understanding to their antagonists. We can still disagree with the conclusions and rational they have and acknowledge they need to be stopped. But it is from a place of let's get them help after.

[@treynash1405]

Wow, I think there is more than one good doctor here, I say this presentation is a pretty good improvement of your work, impressive.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! During the hiatus we brought on a editor and he is doing incredible work.

[@Tengu125]

It's actually kind of incredible how well he is able to function after a lobotomy. Sure, he's not exactly stable, but he's fairly coherent and driven, rather then the docile shell of a man or even vegetable you'd expect. His mind has been gravelly maimed in most ways possible, yet he's neither like the Joker nor is he a rambling mess who can't string three thoughts together without losing track halfway.

[@timewarpchronos3795]

Loboto: the dark mirror to our protagonist. While they have similar problems at times loboto has more neglectful parents, while Raz’s are more open and loving. Among other points pointed out here.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

After going through Raz, Loboto, and Oleander. They all seem to have similar childhoods and all turned out in very different ways.

[@timewarpchronos3795]

@@GamingUniversityUoG oleander: the warped mirror. While pretty much having near identical childhood issues… hold on… wait didn’t you already do this over at least two videos? Go watch his videos on basic Braining and meat circus!

[@Claymann71]

More Psychonauts is always appreciated in any form. I see Psychonauts & I'll click. Raz is IMHO the best VA'ed character in gaming, just ahead of the raving & mad rants of Sheogorath from Oblivion, the purposefully stilted dialog delivery of James Sunderland from Silent Hill 2, Senua's screams from Senua's Sacrifice, & the madness of Captain Walker from Spec Ops: the Line, & finally Alice from American McGee's Alice. Raz is something special. Also: he was Invader Zim & that always makes me laugh.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Agreed haha. Hearing invader Zim always makes it an enjoyable experience.

[@mitchellalexander9162]

See Also: Orthopox from Destroy All Humans

[@pikagirl1870]

I'm so happy the world gave us Richard Horvitz (the voice actor for Raz, Zim, Billy from Billy and Mandy, Moxxie from Helluva Boss, and many others)

[@burntgrahamcracker2866]

You’ve picked some pretty good choices there

[@velvetdraws3452]

im glad you brung up the fact that victim doesnt mean innocent, oleander was a victim of psylirium poisoning iirc but not innocent at all

[@elenadirectorofmiiss7942]

Loboto being a dentist might also be a subconscious act of rebellion against his family.

[@cinnamonpumpkin7655]

I find it creepy that all the characters in Loboto's mind have his voice.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

He's the one remembering. But then again the other minds remembered their voices correct. Except Bob. He invented some voices.

[@cinnamonpumpkin7655]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Never noticed that with Bob ! Thanks !

[@lou626]

@@GamingUniversityUoG i understand it as him playing with the toys and making their voices Also , his dad has a scratch in the place where his heart should have been

[@greenhat8978]

@@lou626 as if his heart was surgically removed

[@lou626]

@@greenhat8978 exactly , you get it. i really hope he's a cardiac-surgeon

[@depressionover-bonestealin4079]

Interesting point: His happy place, the place where his imagination can be let loose and play to its heart's content, where he can have fun adventures as a pirate and the only possible troubles are another version of himself, is the bathtub; One of the only places in the world where nobody is allowed to be near you/see you, especially secretively. (The same reason most people from traumatizing homes have the bathroom as their safe place too!)

[@lou626]

Can confirm that! My bathroom and my bed are my special places (i say it as a divorce kid)

[@kiddpancham7905]

Relatable as hell

[@ThePooPodcast]

DAMN THAT’s WHY HE ALWAYS WEARS A SHOWER CAP

[@DatHarlequinOni]

As someone who lived in a traumatizing home I've become incredibly dependent on my bedroom and bed to feel safe. Getting over the associated agoraphobia that comes with this has been difficult, but that's why I've got my social worker right now.

[@metarcee2483]

That's interesting. My family is supportive of me, but I still use the bathroom and bedroom as a safe place. Partially because most of my trauma comes from peers like classmates. No one can mock and isolate you for being weird if they can't see you be weird. Also, I use the bathroom to help with sensory overload, since it's the only real socially acceptable place in another person's house to just go to.

[@mitchellalexander9162]

This is quite bittersweet for there is no 3rd game down the Pipeline waiting for us.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm still hoping we will eventually get a third game. Just please dont take 20 years this time.

[@KaminoKatie]

I saw psychics as a neurodivergent allegory in the Psychonauts series

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Very apt comparison

[@ExhiledGod2]

Ehh?

[@Homesicktraveler]

That makes...quite alot of sense-

[@metarcee2483]

Considering how many of them have other issues, it makes even more sense. Having a trauma disorder is more likely to happen to nuerodivergent people.

[@ursfan]

​@@metarcee2483 PTSD is also a form of neurodivergence in of itself due to how it changes the way your brain and body functions and responds to situations.

[@dicyanoacetylene6220]

A question I'd like to ask is: While it is apparent that back in the days of Loboto's childhood, psychics were seemingly universally despised/feared, especially in the more narrow minded communities. When the Psychonauts became a thing, and especially when they became an important player in the world. Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Loboto began to regret their decision to turn their own child into the mess we see in the games?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

For them I dont think it was entirely about him being psychic. But also that their deep laid plans for his future were messed up and there was resentment there.

[@olivierdubreuil-gagnon2201]

Psychonauts 2 seems to say that they’re Grulovians, so being anti-psychics would likely be normal for them.

[@dicyanoacetylene6220]

@@olivierdubreuil-gagnon2201 ... ... ... ... ???????????????????????????????????????? Where does it even remotely hit at that?

[@lou626]

@@olivierdubreuil-gagnon2201 loboto's parents are not grulovians

[@getaround1276]

No, they don't seem like the remorseful type

[@wolcamophone4783]

I think it's also a good time to remember that Psychonauts takes inspiration from psychology and is not necessarily a good guide to it. I really do like this series for trying to introduce some of the stuff I learned in my psych 101 class, but it's easy to miss the correlation between what you can actually learn from psychology and what the game does for the sake of fun writing or its artstyle.

[@lou626]

Exactly , well put

[@therabbitfollower5550]

Real talk, as a psychologist, I love how in-depth these analysis videos-- they're so very well researched and explain concepts in clinical psych so succinctly while connecting back to events and characters in the games that I've never really considered before. It's clear that you really care about the subject, and I appreciate how much effort you put into what you do.

[@scootza1]

"What could have happened between this sensitive boy and this lunatic to have shaped him into a twisted image of his father?" Well I am not a psychologist but I can definitely assure you one does not simply return from an ice pick lobotomy unchanged

[@codyboise9989]

I have no shame in admitting I've done forms of mimicry in my own life. Growing up with autism and being socially different from most others my own age, I gravitated toward interacting with older individuals and teachers because I felt I could interact fully without staggering myself. Also I've been a media person most of my life and have worried in the past how much of me is me! I have quoted a few of helmuts lines when I became more in touch with my senses which have given me sensory problems in the past. That added with a deep rooted fear of injuring myself caused me to take less physical risks. Also last month I gave up "weeding" just to prove to myself that I could, now I try to remember the links in hollis's hot streak: moderation is the path to victory, as well as judgement & making decisions. Since I have no control over how people see me, but I care about how I view myself in my life. Plus I might not know who my true self is: but like cassie said: I'm in there somewhere. While isolated at times, I'm so grateful I have so many caring individuals in my life.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Reminds me of one of my best friends. He is on the spectrum and growing up his only means of understanding social interaction was watching tv. He would mimic the behavior of the characters and would quote them all the time. I love how this games helps to teach us little lessons we can use to help figure ourselves out.

[@codyboise9989]

@@GamingUniversityUoG it's important to develop self awareness in one's self in development. By the way, a few day's prior my town had a pagant of bands, it was bright and beautiful out, and without a doubt was a feast of the senses. But the the day prior I was at the local block party which reminded me of my disdain for drunk people, I understand people are dealing with their inner problems, but when you have to deal with certain people's negative or stupid decisions, which is partly why bolt locks were invented. Plus with alot of people it's hard to tell if someone is genuine, most people who walk down the sidewalk are just stonefaced, wouldn't kill anybody to say hello when you or someone else walks down the street. Somewhere along the way we forgot how to interact with others, or most people are too preoccupied in their own lives to give anything else second thought.

[@codyboise9989]

@@GamingUniversityUoG we all have our own mental battles and demons to fight. But this game has some great tips and tricks.

[@SeventheSquib]

I wasn’t expecting to relate to this so much, thank you for sharing this ☺ I don’t know if I’m on the spectrum but me and my family are pretty sure. I usually end up picking up the speech patterns of characters or KZbinrs or something, occasionally also my friends. Sometimes I find that I relate to characters that most people wouldn’t, or maybe shouldn’t relate to, (Flowey from Undertale for example) but I think it’s just a coping mechanism to find something to validate my own experiences and emotions, idk 😅 Also I think it’s funny how a lot of my own trauma comes from the dentist/having surgery and yet out of all the characters in this game, Loboto happens to be my favorite 😂

[@codyboise9989]

@@SeventheSquib I've had recent anxiety around that recently which hasn't been fun! Also, thank you for sharing.

[@rosykindbunny1313]

I can't be the only one who nerds out over the imagery of the stuffed animals' heads opening and fluff spilling out. I don't remember if it was outright stated that Loboto was lobotomized, but that symbolism paired with his last name is enough to tell Raz and the player. I just love good storytelling!

[@lou626]

For real dude , they didnt needed to say anything for us to understand

[@donnylurch4207]

I never got to play Rhombus of Ruin, so thank you for helping fill in the gaps for me. This is all very fascinating, but I can't shake the feeling that introducing realistic lobotomy into this cartoon world where people can literally sneeze their whole brain out throught their nose, continue living mindlessly, and funnel it back in to go back to normal, is a bit of a tonal clash. Did Loboto develop the sneezing powder? Because we know the OG Psychonauts used it many years ago. I'm avoiding spoilers, but if you know you know.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I think sneezing powder is only used by Psychonauts and not the world at large. It is implied the stuff was made long after this lobotomy so the powder wouldn't have been used. It is mentioned in the lipo backstory document that Loboto created the sneezing powder when he owned his own practice. But this is not canon so I didn't want to bring it up.

[@unrellated]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Maybe the Psychonauts bought the license to his recipe, or whatever the legal term is.

[@Buglin_Burger7878]

In a world where people are working through their trauma and suffering... a lobotomy is dark? Where you go into someone's brain and forcibly mess with stuff? When you look seriously at the stuff dealt with... it isn't tonal clash. You are invading the one safest sacred space.

[@Xel963]

there are full playthoughts of Rhombus of Ruin online on this very website

[@litterallyeminem]

I like it when a game humanises the antagonist. It always makes a story seem thicker, and it forces the player to consider thier point of view.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I know double fine wanted to approach everything through a lens of empathy. Complex antagonists are very interesting. Sometimes more important than the Protagonists.

[@fizzy.milkcan3292]

Eyyy, been waiting for this one! Loboto’s one of my favorite characters in the whole Psychonauts series, glad to see you finally covering his mind. And also looking forward to how you tackle the minds in Psychonauts 2! Keep up the good work

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Good to hear! Him and Crueller have the most to talk about since they have multiple worlds devoted to them.

[@BabyCharmander]

I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while! I really enjoyed hearing your analysis of Loboto’s backstory. The analysis about how his father negatively influenced him was particularly cool! I’m a little confused about your interpretation of the bathtub scene, though. The shower curtains don’t match his hat-the curtains depict seashells, and the hat depicts flowers, which specifically are the same pattern as his MOTHER’s dress. In fact, he even states that his mother gave him the hat, which I’m surprised didn’t come up here, since it’s something I still wonder about. (He has a variety of dialogue if you wait around or prod him before entering his mind, including a line about “Pesky people possessing perverse powers perpetually pay painful penalties!”) Also not fully sure what you mean by whether the scene takes place before or after the lobotomy? The Loboto we see in the bathtub is an adult, and he was lobotomized as a kid. (Around the same age as Howard Dully-which, I recommend reading his memoir, since I’m pretty sure Loboto was partially inspired by him (plus it’s just a good (if DEEPLY upsetting) book anyway, and a good way to see what lobotomy patients went through).) I had a few other thoughts regarding his memory vault: Raz returning his compass to him isn’t so much magically returning his morality as it is bringing Loboto back through his past and showing him that he’s become the very people who hurt him, which was enough to make him realize he’d done terrible things. Another “fun” note is that the memory vault is portrayed with dolls who speak in Loboto’s voice, and a younger Loboto sitting outside. My interpretation is that it’s the young Loboto outside psychically moving the dolls and voicing them himself… as it’s very common for traumatized children to reenact their trauma through play. Very cool video! Looking forward to the next one. EDIT: also just wanted to say, I’ve been stuck on my Loboto-centric fic and after watching this I feel super inspired to work on it again, so thank you for that!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Good to hear! Have fun with the fic. And to be honest I've only managed to play this game once after borrowing a buddies VR set. So I admittedly don't know every bit of dialogue in the game for him. It is shame this one was locked behind hardware.

[@Molonara]

@@GamingUniversityUoG If you need to know more about the dialogue in this game, I know MaidenofBagEnd did a series of KZbin videos fully exploring the vast majority of dialogue options in Rhombus. It’s easy enough to find, ‘rhombus of ruin dialogue’ should make it show up in search. Loboto’s appearance and subsequent dialogue appears in the fourth installment.

[@mitchellpatterson3044]

Holy buckets dude your quality has like...trippled. this stuff is amazing! Keep it up!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Haha thank you! Part of the reason behind the hiatus on Psychonauts content was getting this new editor up and running.

[@mitchellpatterson3044]

@@GamingUniversityUoG well it was worth every minute of the hiatus! Im excited to see more of this engaging content!

[@Molonara]

YES! I've been waiting for this analysis and deep dive into Loboto's character, he's my favorite and the most facinating out of the bunch. Glad you're making it a two parter, as there is a lot to cover about him. His father's influence on Loboto is a big one, and one detail Iove from Rhombus is the stitched part over Dadboto's heart, as if Loboto sees him as heartless. One thing I'm curious about, and I hope you'll cover, is Loboto's mother's influence on him. There are two instances before going into Loboto's mind in Rhombus where if Raz interacts with him psychically he will make references to his mother, once while levitating, where he will say, "Stop that at once you bad little boy, it's unnatural," mimicing something his mother says later, and when trying to use clairvoyance, in which he says his shower cap is special, that his "mother gave it to him". There seems to be a connection with that shower cap and his mother, as both the cap and his mother's dress are the exact same floral pattern (I've seen theories floating around that this is an implication that he may have done away with his parents, using the dress as the shower cap material, but I think it's more alagorical that he still cares and believes what his mother thinks). There is only one other time, to my knowledge, where another character is associated with that exact floral pattern. In Bob's Bottles, there is an island with where Raz can find Otto Mentallis standing next to a structure that has the same pattern, green with yellow and pink flowers, on a canvas. Course, that's more fuel for theories, though one has to wonder how exactly Loboto has learned all he knows, especially in dealing with brains, as the only other characters we see storing brains in tanks and removing brains with sneezing powder are the Psychonauts themselves, mainly Otto and Ford respectively. Between how he lost his arm or learned how to mutate fish, there is a lot there that doublefine could use to expand on Loboto's character, which I hope they do in the future.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

There is so much content to explore with his backstory. How did he lose his arm? What happened right after the lobotomy? His kid and how that happened. Way too much for them not to explore in the future.

[@edfreak9001]

i swear to god it's almost like you specifically did this for me, ha ha back on the Meat Circus video I commented about how i'd probably need to look up a playthrough to continue with this series when you started on 2, and today after a series of lucky life events I have a badass new computer and just finished 100%ing the sequel. The timing is immaculate! But regardless of all that thanks for continuing, I love this series and just listening to you talk about these things in general.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Perfect timing! Having a new pc makes all the difference for opening up new games. Glad to hear you've been enjoying this series.

[@Starcat5]

**Clears throat** Domo arigato, Mr. Loboto, domo, domo...

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Great now that song is going to be in my head all day lol

[@SoliderScissors28]

I'm so glad you returned to the Psychonauts games, it's by far the most interesting content (for me at least)!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad to be back to it!

[@bramslamm]

So excited to see this series continued! So looking forward to part 2

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm hyped to get it moving forward as well! Got another Loboto kne before we get to our favorite gambling addict.

[@LokeSandwall]

Finally more Psychonauts content!! Have been looking forward to this!!

[@LokeSandwall]

Just finished watching the video, just as awesome as always! Cool to see the new editing too!!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

We wanted to get all the ducks in a row for the new editing and wrap up some other projects before continuing. Glad to see it was all worth it!

[@dgc1570]

So happy! Aa I've been waiting for you to continue your Psychonauts lecture videos

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Good to hear! Glad you've been enjoying the series.

[@ewanwilson7288]

these videos are not only super interesting but help me reflect on myself thank you so much

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it! My goal was to share my love of the game and do a little self reflection myself

[@ewanwilson7288]

❤😁

[@BagelGremlin]

YES!! This is my FAVORITE series to listen to!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That's great to hear! I'm glad you enjoy these.

[@ryansheffield1759]

A curious point of mimicry. There are times where one would mimic those that may be considered inferior to oneself (The example you gave of a saleperson mimicing a person to close a sale being a very good choice on your part). I do agree with the unconcious mimicry only being applied to those who are superior though for whatever reason one might choose in the moment. Other examples that come to mind for concious mimicry to look into where one could be considered inferior to the self might be an author mimicking some inspirations actions in a show, book or other portrayal to better fit the character. A business person may tailor their proposals or reports based on those who they percieve as reading the report (Even if they may believe the readers are inferior) to the point where the actions could be considered mimicry to the point of appeasment (Which can happen a lot during bad business cycles where failure of the business needs to be shared). Excellent video as always, Dean. I look forwards to learning more! P.S. Just got my bachelor's squared away so I'm hoping I have more time to catch your livestreams in the future:)

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Congrats on getting the Bachelor's all set up! Look forward to seeing you in the streams. I'll have to think in your comment a bit. Sounds like there is a semantical difference between Mimicry and Empathy. Putting yourself into the mindset of another versus emulating their actions/behaviors.

[@ryansheffield1759]

@@GamingUniversityUoG That's a good point too. I suppose it depends upon how the behaviors stick with you after the interaction is ended where one ends and the other begins.

[@EgregoreOffical]

Normally I don’t comment on the videos I watch, but I wanted to thank you for your in depth psychological analysis of the characters in this series. I played psychonauts 1 and midway through I found the series and it really got me hooked on the characters and themes of the game. Once I saw you were covering psychonauts 2 I dumped out my wallet and binged the game in two days purely out of the knowledge that you would cover it as well. Really looking forwards to your analysis of Bob Zenato and Fred!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much for the comment! Good to hear you've been enjoying the games. How was the sequel for you?

[@EgregoreOffical]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I found the sequel to be really fun! The only thing I didn’t like too much were the other interns but even then they weren’t something that inhibited my overall enjoyment of the game. I like how one is a scooby doo esque mystery and two is mission impossible level espionage, the score for Loboto’s Labyrinth definitely set that in stone for me. There’s too much to gush about in that game for me to like, properly put it into to words, even after I’ve finished it.

[@EgregoreOffical]

I also meant Nick instead of Fred

[@codyboise9989]

It's also intriguing how much control loboto has inside his mind inside sasha's implanted "office" construct. Don't you think? Also if loboto had a kid at whispering Rock, who could it be?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

The two primary theories I've seen for Loboto's kid is D'Artagnan and Bobby. At the end of Psychonauts 1 we see Dart coming out of the outhouse near the parking lot.

[@codyboise9989]

@@GamingUniversityUoG makes sense

[@poisonedcoco691]

Just wanted to say that i love these videos and get so excited everytime i see you've released a new one. Thank you, can't wait to see the next one

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That's great to hear! I'm glad you enjoy these.

[@justinelighthouse6047]

Whith the whole bent spoons thing the parents could've made money

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Sadly they saw him as something broken to fix. Rather than accept what they had with him.

[@FerreTrip]

Only complaint about this is you used "seems" when you meant "seams". Otherwise, lovely video to eat lunch to today! Can't wait for more!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Got to love random typos lol

[@jesternario]

Since I found this channel, I have enjoyed the look into motivations and psychology of various characters. It has always been interesting. I hope you expand to other series when you finish with the ones you are currently working on. I would recommend the thief and assassin’s creed series at the very least.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I have lots of different games planned. But as you mentioned I want to wrap up this series and the one for Hellblade before moving on.

[@nathanromine3578]

An interesting detail i see in his mind here is that he’s just the first mate not the captain a high ranking position for sure but still just the job of repeat, support, and carry out the captain’s orders. he doesn’t see himself as in command of what he does in his life or work only doing what those above him tell him to and if he can accept raz as captain someone he neither fears nor likes anyone can be the captain in his mind just not himself.

[@anthonyoliver418]

I’m glad you are starting the sequel minds of this series!

[@jesseshaver2262]

there is something common in medicine and psychology today that reminds me of lobotomies. Hopefully we will look at it with the same horror down the road.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It seems that only through the lens of time do we recognize what we are doing today. Hopefully we figure things out sooner than later.

[@jesseshaver2262]

@@GamingUniversityUoG you are a brave man to reply to my post in this manner lol. I was not expecting it. good on you sir!

[@daltonwiltsey4815]

Can't wait to here you thought on it, especially the construct breaking down and being replace with stuff loboto is used to

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It's going to be so fun to officially get into the sequel worlds!

[@daltonwiltsey4815]

@@GamingUniversityUoG including the psychic six

[@willisrose9756]

Finally a new Psychonauts video!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Back in the saddle for this series!

[@tomcurl8034]

His parents hurt him when he was innocent because he was different and that turned into a bad guy because trauma can mess up your brains

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Not just his parents either. Poor guy has had his mind twisted by so many individuals.

[@insertclevernamehere6607]

Why do I feel like this video just called me out……..fuck…..do I have the insanity of a manatee??

[@codatheseus5060]

I think you'd know it

[@karsten69]

Thank you for showing us the Erikson Psychosocial Chart. It was the last piece of a puzzle I was grasping with in regards to the Persona series. Namely that the series (not the individual games) Is about a person growing up. Persona 1 is the Infancy stage. Persona 2 Innocent Sin is Early Childhood, Persona 2 Eternal Punishment is Preschool. Persona 3 is School Age. Persona 4 is the Adolescence and Young Adult stages combined. and Persona 5 is MIddle Adulthood.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Interesting. I'll have to keep this in mind as I proceed. Only played 4 and barely into 3 at the moment.

[@aruce9]

Finally we are in psychonauts 2. I am interested to see how you psychoanalyze some of the more endgame minds

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

These minds are going to be fun to work on. In some ways simpler and others more complex.

[@starpokeheart664]

And one thing I always focus on is his name Loboto is a pun on Lobotomy which if he has gotten to an extreme considering his cracked open head Also during the time he was a child lobotomy was in use for unruly people (how his parents saw them)

[@redrasegarden]

I wanna hug him for all he’s been threw.

[@redrasegarden]

@💕DR.LOBOTO💕 why was he given such a crappy hand

[@redrasegarden]

@💕DR.LOBOTO💕 the figurative one

[@CSM100MK2]

the music is a great addition and different from most channels - defintitely helps even out the monotony/ pacing of the non-dynamic rote vocal delivery. glad you found ways to improve, mad respect!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Definitely helps support my general vocal tone. I'm happy with all the editing changes.

[@mothiestman4995]

...I'm pretty sure someone who had an ice skewer through the frontal lobe without anesthesia isn't having complex thoughts of inferiority. Lobotomy victims can barely remember to use the bathroom without being reminded, and that's best-case-scenario. He wouldn't even have a personality anymore

[@edgarcastaneda2207]

i been a while since a look a your channel and i really enjoy the new format

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Welcome back! And thank you. In loving how the new editing turned out. Yellow Bat does amazing work.

[@MikeBeanFox]

Ooooh!, I've been so excited! ^^

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Hope it was worth the wait!

[@gamegod6859]

have you noticed loboto's past is a sort of dark reflection of raz's past

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It seems like Raz, Oleander, and Loboto all had similar backgrounds. And they all show different versions of how thos circumstance can go.

[@obitosenju3768]

I love Psychonauts but I always felt Loboto was too underused. Like he feels like way to much good of a charachter. I will miss the guy

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Oh agreed. From what I have seen he is a long term project for the mental healing. So far in RoR and Psy2 he has been going through a process little by little. My hope is that if we ever do get a third game they can finish the process.

[@Titan990]

Maybe I’m getting ahead myself here but the fact that his parents hated psychics makes me thinks that they might be of Grulovian in origin, I won’t spoil much but it does make me wonder.

[@DragonXBird]

Your videos are well done and very informative.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed and found value in this.

[@gianlucacolangelo6578]

It's back

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is back!

[@wadeadams3656]

Freeman? Where is his passport?

[@lou626]

YOU

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

And with this, we see why the Psychonauts and Whispering Rock Summer Camp exist. How many other "Lobotos" might be out there, children who demonstrated psychic powers and whose parents experienced terror at the sight of it. Loboto's parents were wealthy enough to afford an icepick lobotomy. What happened to the poor kids whose parents could only afford an "icepick"? Or just threw their "devil child" into the basement? Handled poorly, psychics can become monsters. Children who are subject to that kind of treatment, whether an attempted murder by their parents or just being locked up, isolated, and scorned by their parents for years are not going to be well-adjusted, to say the least. A horribly damaged psyche combined with potent psychic powers is a recipe for a supervillain, and that there's an entire government agency dedicated to psychics screams widespread epidemic of rogue psychics, due to decades of the psychic situation being handled poorly. Odds are, that's the reason why the Psychonauts focus on mending minds rather than on psychic combat: The strength of a psychic seriously seems to be connected to their mental state, with some of the most potent psychics having legitimate mental issues. Many of the rogue psychics the Psychonauts encounter are likely the victims of trauma at the hands of a world that legitimately did not understand them and reacted with fear, hate, and revulsion, if not outright violence, and it's easier to untangle mental issues than it is to fight Maligula-class threats on the day to day. After all, Maligula was ultimately the result of a powerful psychic with a damaged psyche (Due to the Astrolathe) experiencing a terrible trauma that caused her to snap. If having an already-damaged psyche and then experiencing a seriously traumatic event is all it takes for a psychic to become powerful enough to threaten the entire world, that's a relatively easy recipe to replicate, whether accidentally or on purpose.

[@SaiyanGamer95]

If I may, back in the day, lobotomies were considered a viable treatment for mental and psychological disorders. However, they were discontinued in the 50s. And considering Psychonauts takes place in the 80s and Loboto is described as "very old", it's possible his parents did send him to get a lobotomy because it was considered viable. I also wouldn't really consider his parents expecting him to be a lawyer, doctor, or architect as putting impossible expectations on him, as that's what any parent would say. Pretty much every parent hopes their kid because successful and/or highly respected. They also most likely had no idea he could understand him, since he was still a baby. We don't know how old, but still young enough to stay in a crib. I know it sounds like I'm defending them, but that's not the case; I still recognize they messed up their son immensely and clearly hated how he was psychic.

[@Mr.Anderson9323]

What I wanna know is what led him to loose an arm and needing the claw arm… or was it self installed? Youch.

[@hyrapower]

Fray at the seams

[@Black.Rose743]

This game was a lot more messed up than I thought

[@Alphapkmn]

1:19 Nevermind the fact that dentists are STILL doctors…

[@maxleroux]

Looks like someone updated his presentation format since covering the first game.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm happy with the big change in production here. The new editor is amazing!

[@maxleroux]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Liked the original style just fine, but I'm happy that you like the new look. Looking forward to when you eventually cover the shattered mind/s of Ford Cruller. Don't forget to include the four peronas that we met at Whispering Rock. There are clues to what pieces of Ford's psyche that they represent hidden throughout Psychonauts 2.

[@RawCauliflower]

I am not sure why there is hostility to psychic powers in the lore in terms of witchcraft etc. Wouldn't society be envious instead, as the physics have gifts that they could never have no matter how hard they tried (more of an equality issue).

[@BabyCharmander]

I mean, I think it makes sense that society would fear psychics, given what they're capable of?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

For this family I think it is partially that they are so controlling in the furtherance of having their 'perfect child's that any deviation won't be tolerated. Plus fear of the unknown is always a big thing.

[@olivierdubreuil-gagnon2201]

Heard somewhere that they’re Grulovians. If that’s the case, well their fears would be justified.

[@BabyCharmander]

@@olivierdubreuil-gagnon2201 I've... never heard that?? Where on earth are you getting that from?

[@Babbleplay]

Mixed feelings. In the original game, he was just a wacky mad scientist/dentist, and that was fine. Now we get more story, he has more depth, but, also, is kind of a downer.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm 50/50 on the trend of taking antagonists and explaining every detail about their history. One it makes it more grounded in how regular people can turn into these types of characters. But it is nice having a villain who is just a villain. Gristol is probably the best example. We get some history in him but nothing justifies his actions even after that. He's just an entitled man child.

[@Babbleplay]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Yeah, agreed; he did not need more depth; the most you could say of his 'tragic backstory', where his life in exile was more extravagant than most people's life in their homes, would be that as a child, he had little say in the abuses that led to his father being deposed. He was a spoiled little turd, who saw himself at the center of everything, who grew up into an egocentric, pampered manchild. There is room for both the tormented villain with the lamentable history, and the cackling 'I love being evil!' Skeletor types.

[@Titan990]

Oh jeez I missed this. Damn you KZbin

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

KZbin stop sucking at notifications! Glad you found it though.

[@enriquelopez.e1231]

well ...at least he didnt steal anyone skeleton.

[@kiwigaming09]

*laughs in mad German doctor*

[@jacobpatrick2181]

Love it so far

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Good to hear! Glad you're enjoying it.

[@jacobpatrick2181]

When is the next part coming up you don't have to give us a deadline just a general idea

[@williamswonderland3636]

11:27 I thought that psychologist or whatever weren't supposed to fix their patients It just supposed to help them

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Yeah this game doesn't follow its own rules a lot. Raz gets told not to fix people then immediately starts doing that.

[@williamswonderland3636]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I guess your right the second game hadel it much better

[@smolpener7430]

Thats real cool, maybe psychology will be real one day.

[@AntonMonster]

Can’t wait for analysis of all Psychonauts 2 characters

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I cant wait to get into them either. These new ones add a lot of complexity that will be fun to untangle.

[@AntonMonster]

@@GamingUniversityUoG definitely

[@michaelbrowne3088]

Eh, I was hoping Loboto's video would cover both mental worlds in one. Oh well, I'm satiated, I've be trying to figure out what that bathtub thing was about in RiR. (I was like a prison, or a thick fog?Impossible to escape from! Without a compass.)

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

In the metaphorical sense, the loss of his compass made it difficult to sail through the ocean of his mind and get assaulted by the ocean demons in his head. And yeah I considered doing both in one go but the theming was so different it felt appropriate to separate them.

[@michaelbrowne3088]

@@GamingUniversityUoG so, are you going to do the same thing with Ford? Cause while they each have a different theme, if you put them all together they tell ONE story.

[@ChristianDall-p2j]

1:33 “you; have the insanity, of a manetee!” “I know” poor…… what was his name again? He clearly see’s himself as insane, and i Think that should be investigated further! Unless this version of him is just a part of dr loboto’s mind! But i dont Think that that’s the case here!

[@LegateMilphosis]

Great video!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much!

[@stevenstone3410]

in my opoion withholding affection for failure is a good thing IF your expetations are low.. like at least being able to live by your self by 30 and having a stable job- anything besides that with withholding affection should be claffied as abuse

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

After I finish playing God of War: Ragnarok I'll be working on a child development video on this very topic you mentioned.

[@Yacovo]

Thanks for the video.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it!

[@Archibald1705]

Finally cuz I do not know anything about his backstory only a few things

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It is sad that they locked so much of his history behind a VR game that very few people could play.

[@TooRudeProductions]

Finally!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Happy to be back to this series.

[@lordgeneralmilitantdeezy7550]

I’m sorry they LOBOTOMIZED A CHILD?!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Did you forget how messed up this series is? And yes they did

[@F1areon]

It's happened before IRL too. :S

[@LeatherIceCream]

Kinda miss the game ost as background music tbh

[@yellowbat79]

Editor here, thanks for the feedback! I'll definitely use more awesome Psychonauts tunes in our next videos 😉

[@LeatherIceCream]

@@yellowbat79 oh damn, thanks, I appreciate that, man.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Some ost is good for it. Some isn't. Depends on how melodic and percussive the tunes are.

[@ajerjavec4723]

Where do you get to Ford can you discuss what the four personas did the first Game represent and I think Tim has said the game represents PSD and I think there’s a lot of discussion with the last mind in 2

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I haven't thought of back tracking to the first games personalities for Ford. Defintly going to brainstorm on how to get that to work.

[@ajerjavec4723]

@@GamingUniversityUoG well the park ranger persona is the only one we know for sure represents him before he start of the path to found the Psychonauts The other three I’m not so sure plus you have 2 to 3 videos to figure it out

[@ajerjavec4723]

Here’s something I hope you talk about The memory vault that you have to return to get may show how much Control over loboto that nick has After all the other memory like review big info

[@Sandata64RD]

Thank you

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Of course

[@mitchellalexander9162]

0:48 Why does no one understand this nowdays?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I think having empathy and understanding for another tricks us into thinking someone isn't responsible for their actions. Because something bad happened to him therefore he has no choice but to be the villain. I don't go along with that. He still has a choice, albeit being harder.

[@mitchellalexander9162]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Well suddenly I'm reminded of the Symbolic themes of Stephen King's The Shining and the Cycles of Abuse.

[@Somethingclever11111]

Because I think people are being to empathetic and are treating every situation like a trolley problem. Where they're seeing it as there was no choice beyond hurting people, when there was. But too the not so good doctors credit, he does in his own damaged way try to do the right thing it's just he probably shouldn't be making those kinds of choices