Mixtape Reviews

Mixtape isn't a traditional video game, but this beautiful experience accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do: tell a great coming-of-age story that has an amazing presentation and soundtrack.

We all know by now that games can be more than simple reflexive entertainment. They can exercise our brains through clever puzzles, get our blood pumping through brutal brawls or fast races. Games can make us laugh and cry. They can be true forms of interactive art. This is how Annapurna’s newest game, Mixtape, has been touted: a brilliant masterpiece of art in its highest form. Now after playing it for myself I have to ask, what the hell am I missing?

Check out our review for Annapurna's and Beethoven & Dinosaur's music-themed adventure game, Mixtape, on the PS5 right here.

Mixtape, from studio behind The Artful Escape, is a delight. It's a celebration of teenage life that makes its point, aptly, just as a teenager would.

Mixtape is a beautiful love letter to music and friendship. The narrative is handled really well; in spite of its similarities to other coming-of-age stories, the characters are realized fantastically thanks to great dialogue and voice acting, and the music choices are incredible. While the gameplay is limited, the mechanics are peppered throughout to perfectly accompany the respective story beat. Even though the visuals are lacking on the Switch 2, Mixtape is still a phenomenal experience an...

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

Mixtape is one of those games that leaves a lasting impression and reminds you of your own experiences growing up, featuring excellent music throughout.

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.

Teenage ennui permeates but never overwhelms

Beethoven & Dinosaur’s narrative adventure curates a mix of music and mechanics

This guitar-laden narrative indie game will resonate hard to anyone who's ever imagined the soundtrack to their own life.

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.

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 poignant moments that will make you reframe how you think about your own personal memories of youth. I cannot recommend it enough.

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.

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

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‘s narrative is beautiful and fleeting; each song is carefully picked, and even though it goes by fast, Mixtape is incredible. The run time didn’t end up being a problem for me, as it feels like an interactive movie with absolutely no bloat or wasted sound. A song can repeat, but the memories you make to it and the people you do it with will never be the same. Mixtape is a celebration of fleeting youth, of the people who help make you who you are, and it is worth every minute.

Follow that tune

Prepare to be Set Adrift On Memory Bliss (circa 1991)

An excellent soundtrack sets the stage for a touching, funny and relatable coming-of-age story…

Mixtape by developer Beethoven and Dinosaur gives a look into the teenage perspective, and we checked it out for a review.

Don’t hesitate to give this one a shot if you’re in the market for a great story backed up by some brilliant music and a fairly simple gameplay loop.

Mixtape's stellar writing, concise runtime, and inspired use of its licensed soundtrack make it an instant classic and a heartfelt trip down memory lane.

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