10 Weirdest Video Game Levels We Can't Stop Thinking About

There’s no shortage to wacky and inventive levels from adored cult classic Psychonauts and its sequel. From a paranoid milk man, a psychedelic rock concert, and a literal meat circus, there’s enough examples of weird levels in this series to fill an entire list. One section which stands out from the rest though is Compton’s Cook Off from Psychonauts 2.

Upon entering the mind of reclusive Psychonaut founder Compton Boole, plucky protagonist Raz finds himself in a colourful cooking show titled Ram It Down that’s hosted by cartoonish sock puppet versions of Compton’s fellow founders, who belittle him at every opportunity.

The main part of this level sees players participating in the gameshow by gathering and preparing the required ingredients to complete a selection of increasingly complex dishes within a time limit to impress the cruel judges. Complete with enjoyably terrible puns, silly commercial segments, and a boss fight that involves dodging projectile vomit and feeding puppets until they burst, this section packs the series’ infectious charm and boundless creativity into a level that's unlike anything else that DoubleFine have ever produced.

What makes this level particularly special, though, is its sincere and thoughtful portrayal of anxiety.