Mixtape Review

Mixtape, developed by Australian studio Beethoven & Dinosaur, is a coming-of-age game that expertly uses music to evoke nostalgia and create new memories. The game centers on Stacy Rockford and her friends on their last day together before Stacy moves to New York. The narrative is linear, focusing on fully formed characters and their embellished recollections of past adventures, presented as playable music videos. The gameplay involves interacting with these memories, ranging from simple button presses during musical sequences to more unique experiences like designing slushies or navigating an awkward first kiss with analog sticks. These memory sequences are triggered by finding keepsakes in the game world, a mechanic reminiscent of "What Remains of Edith Finch," though Mixtape prioritizes youthful joy over deep-rooted trauma. The game offers high replay value for those who enjoy revisiting comforting stories, despite the narrative remaining unchanged. Mixtape's exploration of friendship and personal growth is more grounded than Beethoven & Dinosaur's previous title, "The Artful Escape," which used psychedelic metaphors for self-expression. The dialogue in Mixtape feels authentic, avoiding the saccharine or forced tone often found in similar games, such as the "Life is Strange" series. The writing and performances, particularly Cassandra's, contribute to the natural feel of the interactions between the close-knit group of friends. Music is a central theme, with Stacy Rockford herself aspiring to be a Hollywood music supervisor. The soundtrack features a curated selection of early 90s pop songs and tracks from earlier decades, chosen as if by a connoisseur like Stacy, rather than just popular hits. The game seamlessly integrates music, allowing Stacy to comment and analyze songs, enhancing the immersive experience. The reviewer highlights specific examples, like the opening skate to DVO's "That's Good" and The Smashing Pumpkins' "Scuzzy Love," noting how intrinsically the music connects to the game's atmosphere, similar to "Sayonara Wild Hearts." Mixtape is a mixed-media wonderland, blending meticulously handcrafted animation, grainy live-action stock footage, music video-like editing, and fourth-wall breaks. This experimental approach keeps the visuals fresh and engaging. The reviewer, a self-proclaimed fan of coming-of-age stories, guitar music, and melancholy, finds Mixtape to be a deeply personal experience, almost as if made specifically for him. He emphasizes that the game's appeal extends beyond a niche audience, as it evokes universal feelings of nostalgia through unfamiliar faces and songs, prompting reflection on cherished moments. In a post-review discussion, reviewer Simon Cardy explains that a 10/10 score for IGN doesn't imply perfection but rather a game that "sings to my heart" and perfectly achieves its goals. He distinguishes Mixtape from other highly-rated games like "Elden Ring," highlighting its unique two-to-three-hour musical narrative focus. Cardy appreciates games that prioritize story and "vibes" over heavy gameplay, drawing parallels to "What Remains of Edith Finch" and "Sayonara Wild Hearts." He enjoys coming-of-age stories for their universal themes, emotional range, and the sense of reliving youth, even if vicariously. Addressing the "walking simulator" criticism, Cardy explains that Mixtape maintains player engagement through constant, albeit sometimes light, interaction. Even simple button presses during cutscenes make the player feel part of the experience, differentiating it from passive viewing. He likens it to "The Last of Us Part Two," where players are asked to perform actions that could otherwise be mere cutscenes, thereby deepening emotional connection and immersion. Mixtape, he concludes, allows players to step into the characters' friendship and be a part of their story, rather than just observing it.