9 Most Inventive Video Game Levels You Need To Play

8. Bob’s Bottles - Psychonauts 2

Much like Banjo Kazooie, it’s incredibly difficult to not want to throw just about every level from the game onto this list. Both of these games represent extraordinary vision in terms of ludonarrative harmony, clever use of mechanics, and a sheer level of joy in making your way through what the game has to offer.

While we were beyond spoiled for choice we’ve gone with a more underrated but no less impressive level from Psychonauts 2, Bob’s Bottles.

This level casts the spotlight on Bob Zanotto, a character struggling with overcoming alcoholism and reconnecting with the people around him. When Raz enters his greenhouse, Bob rejects the protagonist and continues drinking. His appearance and environment surrounded by shattered bottles suggest that he has also fallen into a depressive episode, and the inside of his mind represented by a tiny flooded planet strongly suggests alcoholism is a vice Bob has turned to to deal with his feelings of isolation.

It’s a hugely illuminating level for the character development, and a deft portrayal of a serious issue rarely explored in video games.