tech
Mixtape review
PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch 2; Annapurna InteractiveThe nostalgic antics of a trio of tenacious teens make for silly yet undeniably enjoyable gameplay, framed by a playlist of bona fide bangers
TL;DR
- Mixtape is a game set in northern California about three friends heading to a party on their last day of high school.
- The game features playable music videos where songs trigger flashbacks to shared memories, often reimagined as fantastical scenarios.
- Visually, the game combines warm hues with stop-motion animation and mixed media elements, creating a stunning and energetic experience.
- Gameplay includes activities like headbanging in a car, controlling flailing tongues during a first kiss, and a Frogger-style minigame involving a shopping trolley.
- The soundtrack heavily features 90s music, which is a significant part of the game's appeal.
- While entertaining and visually appealing, the game's writing is criticized for being impersonal and lacking emotional depth, preventing it from achieving greater narrative impact.
- The game is compared to Life Is Strange but fails to reach similar heights due to a lack of conflict and emotional resonance.