Mixtape

For years now, it feels like story games have been stuck in a rut: when was the last time a new title broke into the list of elite recommendations like the first Life Is Strange, Gone Home, and What Remains of Edith Finch? It has been a while, even with some quality titles along the way — nothing has truly challenged the top dogs.

Mixtape is a lovingly crafted homage to the ‘90s that hits far more than it misses. The earnestness of the story and cast, combined with the novel implementation of goofy little mini games, makes for a very unique title that’ll probably surprise you in more ways than one.

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Mixtape is the latest from The Artful Escape’s Beethoven & Dinosaur, and refines upon an already sublime core. Part walking simulator, part mini-game player, and part John Hughes film, this coming of age title is all heart.

Go watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off right now. Go on. I’ll wait. OK, now I need you to binge The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. All done? Now you’re ready for Mixtape.

Mixtape is a greatest hits of gameplay, storytelling, music and animation. Its a true work of art that would be a crime not to experience.

Stacey Rockford is about to move to New York to follow her dreams, potentially leaving her friends and hometown forever. It's the end of an era, the death of their childhoods, and the ticking clock has serious emotional weight. I love coming-of-age stories, but Mixtape stands out even among my favorites for how well it nails its earnest, whimsical tone, treating life milestones with grave sincerity. Its stellar writing, concise runtime, and inspired use of its licensed soundtrack make it an i...

Stunning art direction and a stellar soundtrack are what makes Mixtape so wonderful. Its narrative isn't the most meaningful, but when everything else is so good, it hardly matters. This is a game that exists to be a short, enjoyable experience: its characters and story might not leave a lasting impression on you, but its music and visuals certainly will.

Mixtape offers a unique experience, even if it looks familiar at first. The narrative approach to memory and growing up creates a coming-of-age story that weaves through the messiness of teenage emotions. While the very small amount of gameplay can feel repetitive, the story mitigates that weakness.

Mixtape blends nostalgic storytelling, strong character writing, and fun mini-games into a narrative music adventure game with a unique identity. A final adventure with three teenage misfits will take you on a wild ride.

Lovely, beautiful, heartwarming, and unable to convince me it needed my input as a player at all.

Mixtape is a coming of age tale that hits all the right notes from beginning to end. While it's a short game that you might only play once, that does not take away from how special the journey is along the way. Witty, hilarious writing, incredible voice performances, gorgeous art direction, and consistently creative gameplay beats are paired with a flawless soundtrack that serves as the backbone for every single scene perfectly in a '90s period piece that knows exactly what to drive home. The result is a wholly unique gaming experience that's loaded with nostalgic charm, great humor, and many ...