The Wolf Among Us, Heavy Rain, Firewatch. Somewhere in that list of games is where MIXTAPE belongs. It’s an ambitious endeavor, trying to bottle the lightning of a specific era. But does it nail the landing, or just trip over its own (non) baggy jeans?
Developer: Beethoven & Dinosaur
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Director: Johnny Galvatron
Writer: Stacey Menear
As I've done for over a decade, I score 1-10, on ten categories, then add them up. This structure helps guide my thoughts so I don't have my own insufferable mixtape thoughts.
1. STORY - 3
This game is trying to capture that "last day of school" energy, but you aren’t following a band of lovable protagonists. The character you play is a bit of a selfish jerk, which is an interesting, if frustrating, choice. The game also struggles with androgyny. The three friends are designed so similarly they are essentially interchangeable, lacking the physical traits or "acting" range to make them memorable. They feel like a stylized template rather than distinct people. Combine that with grating personalities and dialogue that feels like a non-American creator trying to mimic "American edgy" with too much awkward cursing, and there's nothing here to blow your hair back.
2. OBJECTIVES - 5
Contrary to the "walking sim" labels, there are things to do. Mosying around is fine, and the "micro-moments" like throwing rocks, taking batting practice, or using a slingshot do successfully push the narrative forward. These vignettes are where the game’s heart is, even if they don't always lead to a satisfying payoff.
3. IN-GAME ART / DESIGN - 7
There are some very high highs here. However, parts of the game, especially the downhill sequences, have that overly processed "AI look" where the backgrounds feel a bit synthetic. Whether it’s a tool or a crutch, it works well enough to create a "vibe," but it lacks the grounded, gritty texture of the actual 1990s North Coast.
4. MUSIC AND SOUND - 10
The soundtrack is the heavy lifter. With roughly 23 licensed tracks, it’s an inspired list, even if it’s historically "loose." Hearing Australian hits like Mondo Rock in a California setting is a dead giveaway that the creators aren't local, but the quality of the curation is undeniable. It’s the one area where the game feels truly "premium."
5. GAMEPLAY - 3
There is a noticeable technical lag. Whether you’re "rocking out" in a car or hitting a softball, the delay between the button press and the screen action kills the immersion. In a game that relies on "rhythm" and "feel," you have to get the timing right. Here, it feels like the mechanics are fighting the aesthetic.
6. EMOTIONAL IMPACT - 0
You don’t "feel" much for this group or the game. The character designs are so indistinct that they avoid any real personality, and the narrative avoids traditional arcs like love or deepening friendship. It’s "modern" in the sense that it avoids sincerity in favor of a meandering, cynical mood. You find yourself frustrated with the characters rather than rooting for them.
At about 3 hours long, you might get a couple of playthroughs if you're hunting achievements, but there isn't enough mechanical depth or narrative branching to demand a revisit.
8. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE - 5
This is significant as a case study of the "Indie-Funded" model. We are seeing more small groups or individual angel investors bankroll projects outside the traditional studio system. It’s a glimpse into the future of game financing (I wrote about that HERE), even if the cultural execution in this specific case is a bit "off-brand."
9. X-FACTOR - 5
It’s interesting. Much like the Telltale games on the Xbox 360, it sparks a lot of conversation. Even if you don't love it, you end up talking about it, which is more than most games can say.
10. PROMOTIONAL ART AND DESIGN - 5
Points for the "top-shelf swag" sent to big reviewers, but it highlights a missed opportunity. A game called MIXTAPE begs for a physical, tactile experience, something the digital-only launch lacks. It’s a reminder that for us older gamers, the physical items are a massive part of the experience.
FINAL THOUGHT
Ultimately, MIXTAPE suffers most when held up against a contemporary classic like Firewatch. In Firewatch, you aren’t just a passenger; you are an active participant in a mystery. You had a map to navigate, a world to physically uncover, and a radio relationship that felt earned and intimate. By comparison, MIXTAPE feels like being stuck in the backseat of a car while someone else picks the radio stations. There is simply much less to actually do and significantly less to discover. It aims for the same emotional heights but lacks the mechanical ladder to get there.
Total Score: 46/100