Psychonauts 2: Emotional Baggage Guide – Locations and Tips

Psychonauts 2, the long-awaited sequel to Double Fine’s cult classic, is a vibrant and imaginative adventure brimming with psychic powers, quirky characters, and mind-bending levels. Beyond the main story, the game encourages exploration, rewarding players who delve into its richly detailed environments. One of the most intriguing collectibles in Psychonauts 2 is Emotional Baggage: hidden suitcases scattered throughout each mind, each with a corresponding tag that must be reunited to resolve the baggage owner’s emotional turmoil. Finding all of this emotional baggage unlocks achievements and provides a deeper understanding of the characters within.

What is Emotional Baggage and Why Should You Find It?

Emotional Baggage in Psychonauts 2 is not just a collection quest; it’s a thematic element that enriches the narrative. Each piece of baggage represents unresolved issues or lingering trauma experienced by the characters whose minds Raz explores. By finding the baggage and matching it with its corresponding tag, you’re essentially helping them process these emotions and move forward. Furthermore, collecting all Emotional Baggage in each level contributes to the game’s completion percentage and unlocks achievements/trophies. It also offers a unique glimpse into the inner workings of each character’s psyche, adding layers of depth to their personalities.

The Benefits of Collecting Emotional Baggage:

• Achievements/Trophies: Unlocks specific achievements/trophies on various platforms.
• Story Enrichment: Provides a deeper understanding of the characters and their emotional states.
• Completion Percentage: Contributes to the overall completion percentage of the game.
• Psychic Cards: Some baggage unlocks psychic cards, essential for upgrading Raz’s abilities.
• Satisfying Completion: Offers a sense of accomplishment for dedicated completionists.

General Tips for Finding Emotional Baggage

Before diving into the specific locations, here are some general tips to help you on your Emotional Baggage hunting journey:

• Use Clairvoyance: Raz’s Clairvoyance ability is invaluable for spotting hidden objects, including Emotional Baggage. Use it frequently to peek into the minds of other characters and see the world from their perspective. Sometimes, baggage or tags are only visible through Clairvoyance.
• Listen Carefully: Each piece of baggage and each tag emits a distinct sound. Pay close attention to your surroundings and use headphones to pinpoint the direction of these sounds. The closer you are, the louder the sound will be.
• Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Psychonauts 2 is filled with secrets. Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path and explore every corner of each level. Baggage and tags are often hidden in out-of-the-way places.
• Revisit Levels: Some areas may be inaccessible until you’ve unlocked certain psychic abilities. Revisit levels after acquiring new powers to access previously unreachable areas and find any missing baggage.
• Pay Attention to Environmental Clues: The environment itself can provide clues about the location of Emotional Baggage. Look for unusual objects, strange formations, or anything that seems out of place.

Emotional Baggage Locations: A Level-by-Level Guide

The following sections provide detailed information on the location of every Emotional Baggage tag and bag in each of the minds Raz explores. Each section will outline the type of baggage, and the location of both the tag and the bag. Remember to utilize the tips mentioned above to aid in your search. Good luck, Psychonauts!

Hollis’ Hot Streak

This level, set within the mind of Hollis Forsythe, features a casino-themed environment. The emotional baggage here reflects Hollis’s anxieties and her struggle to maintain control.

Purse

Tag Location: Inside the Intensive Care Unit, on a shelf directly opposite the bed. Use the trampoline to reach it.

Bag Location: In the Cardiology area. It’s on a raised platform accessed by using Mental Connection on the thoughts near the playing cards.

Hatbox

Tag Location: The tag is located near the entrance to the Delivery Room, on a small table.

Bag Location: In the Maternity Ward, inside one of the incubators.

Milla’s Dance

Milla’s Dance takes place in Milla Vodello’s mind, a vibrant and dreamlike world filled with children and dancing. The baggage here explores themes of loss and acceptance.

Dufflebag

Tag Location: In the main courtyard area, floating near the top of the central structure. Use Levitation to reach it.

Bag Location: In the “Slides” area, hidden behind one of the slides. You’ll need to use your Mental Connection to reach the platform where it sits.

Steamer Trunk

Tag Location: In the Burning Village section, on the rooftop of a building. You will need to use your Mental Connection skills to get to it.

Bag Location: In the “Cradle” area, on the top of the central structure. Use the platforms and your Levitation to reach the top.

Loboto’s Labyrinth

Dr. Loboto’s mind is a twisted and chaotic place, reflecting his obsession with teeth and his manipulative nature. Expect a challenging search for Emotional Baggage in this level.

Suitcase

Tag Location: Near the start, in the first room after the initial slide. It’s hidden behind a stack of teeth.

Bag Location: After the teeth grinding machine area. You need to go through the door in the room that has the grinded teeth. The bag is on the ground, near the exit.

Handbag

Tag Location: In the area with the conveyor belts. You’ll need to use Time Bubble to slow down the conveyor belts and reach the tag at the end of one of them.

Bag Location: Located in the waiting room before the Brain Tank. It sits on one of the chairs.

Compton’s Cookoff

Compton Boole’s mind is a high-pressure cooking competition, reflecting his anxieties and his desire to please. This level requires quick thinking and precise platforming.

Backpack

Tag Location: On top of the large oven in the first cooking area. Use the Mental Connection or Levitation to get to the top.

Bag Location: Behind the judge’s table, in the main competition area. You will need to use your time bubble to slow down the fans, and then levitate across the gap.

Shopping Bag

Tag Location: In the area with the spinning platforms, it is behind the starting platform.

Bag Location: At the end of the course where you have to use the trampoline to get to the top. Look to the right, and it should be on a platform there.

Strike City

Norma’s mind is a bowling alley. This level is all about figuring out puzzles and finding the hidden collectibles, that will lead to finding Emotional Baggage.

Hatbox

Tag Location: At the end of the bowling lane, behind the pins.

Bag Location: In the back area by the lockers, up on a shelf.

Purse

Tag Location: Up on the upper level, you will need to bounce on the bowling balls to get up there. Once up there, it is on the floor near the railing.

Bag Location: In the back room with all the bowling equipment, it is on a shelf.

PSI King’s Sensorium

Ford Cruller’s fractured mind, a chaotic and fragmented collection of memories and experiences. This level requires careful exploration and a keen eye for detail.

Suitcase

Tag Location: In the forest area, on a high platform. You will need to use levitation to get up there.

Bag Location: In the desert area, hidden behind a cactus.

Dufflebag

Tag Location: In the quarry area, on top of the crane.

Bag Location: In the music area, behind the speakers.

Cassie’s Collection

Cassie O’Pia’s mind, a library filled with books and stories, reflecting her role as a teacher and mentor. This level encourages exploration and rewards curiosity.

Backpack

Tag Location: In the Paper Character area, on top of the pile of books.

Bag Location: In the Author area, behind the desk.

Steamer Trunk

Tag Location: In the stacks of the main library area, in the back left corner.

Bag Location: In the Judgment area, on the balcony.

Tomb of the Sharkophagus

The Tomb of the Sharkophagus is a hidden level within the Quarry. The tag and bag are located in the main chamber.

Handbag

Tag Location: On the higher platform in the main chamber.

Bag Location: On the lower platform in the main chamber.

Fatherland Follies

Ford Cruller’s mind again, a distorted amusement park reflecting his traumatic past. This level is filled with danger and requires all of Raz’s psychic abilities.

Purse

Tag Location: In the Lumberjack area, on top of the log flume. Use the grind rail to reach it.

Bag Location: In the Sanitarium section, in one of the cells.

Suitcase

Tag Location: In the Questionable Area, inside the big top tent on top of a platform.

Bag Location: In the Campground area, near the lake, hidden behind a tent.

Final Thoughts on Emotional Baggage

Finding all of the Emotional Baggage in Psychonauts 2 is a rewarding experience that goes beyond simply ticking off a completionist checklist. It’s an opportunity to engage more deeply with the game’s characters and themes, gaining a greater appreciation for the complexities of the human mind. The game’s clever level design and engaging narrative create a compelling reason to explore every corner of each mental landscape. Don’t get discouraged if some pieces of baggage are difficult to find, the reward is worth the effort. So, embrace the challenge and embark on your journey to collect all the Emotional Baggage!

Collecting all the emotional baggage unlocks unique insights into the characters’ psyches. It also helps to fully complete each level and increases your overall game completion percentage. The hunt for these hidden items encourages exploration and rewards observant players. Ultimately, finding all the emotional baggage enriches the overall Psychonauts 2 experience. Remember to revisit levels with new abilities to uncover previously inaccessible areas.