The Steam sale is slowly coming to a close, and there are so many great deals that you can still snag until July 9. Today, however, we wanted to briefly touch upon a relatively new, critically acclaimed game that doesn’t have a big discount but offers a massive, memorable trip down memory lane.
Leaving your teenage years behind is messy. We’ve all been there, and we’re all quite familiar with that one-of-a-kind, weird mix of aimlessness and the sudden, heavy realization that our friend group is about to splinter and things will never be the same. That’s what Mixtape, the latest from Beethoven & Dinosaur and publisher Annapurna Interactive, is all about. It successfully dropped us right into that hazy headspace, and we couldn’t be more grateful for it. We hope you stick with us after the trailer jump to read why the final night for Stacey, Van Slater, and Cass is an unforgettable journey!
Interactive Narrative
Mixtape uses a single car as a sort of home base—an interactive hub where the trio hangs out. The real magic, however, happens when you pop a cassette into the deck. Each track pulls you into a surreal memory of their high school years. The gameplay is tied entirely to the length of the song. Once a track from Devo or Lush ends, the memory dissolves, yanking you back into the backseat. Because the songs dictate the clock, the whole thing is meant to be a relaxing, “on-the-rails” kind of experience. You do things to get better immersed in the moment, but there aren’t any fail states. Mixtape has nothing to do with winning, but it has everything to do with experiencing. And, trust us, in those four hours, you will experience a lot.
Time Gone By
We spent the night skimming stones, slingshotting bottles off a roof, and doing so many other things that were the highlights of that time. The activities were simple, yet so well executed and full of soul that they had immense power over us—even fumbling through an awkward kissing minigame. These moments were simple, sure, but intentional and highly effective fishhooks. Once they grabbed hold of you, they refused to let go.
The movement often bleeds into magical realism, too, like jumping from softball practice straight into grinding on light trails through a neon-lit suburb. Everything is animated at a slightly slower framerate than the world around it. By doing this, the devs successfully captured that specific, clumsy teenage feeling of being out of sync with your surroundings.
The music in Mixtape doesn’t just play in the background; it drives the pacing. The devs implemented so many neat tricks to alter the tempo and narrative delivery, offering a truly organic experience. We especially loved the scenes where a frantic punk track forces your hand, making you move faster, while a slow post-punk lullaby turns the experience into an introspective stroll.
Divisive by Design
Mixtape is not a game for everyone, but come to think of it, that’s what makes it so special to the people who will surely vibe with it. It’s divisive by design. There’s a plethora of disappointment waiting for those who want a deep challenge or complex mechanics; the game leans hard into “walking simulator” territory. Also, the characters aren’t afraid to be unlikable. Some of them go the extra mile just to be exactly that. Stacey can be an abrasive music snob, and while some of us found Cass’s rebellious streak relatable, others might just find the trio exhausting. It’s important to note that there are no heroes here—just teenagers. And a teenager’s sole job is to push your buttons and grind your gears.
Mixtape is short and messy, no doubt about it. But for those who love great music, it offers a deeply specific trip down memory lane. We hope you’re in the mood to get lost in the soundtrack for a few hours. It’s well worth the ride. For the current price of 17 euros, it magically captures that final, oh-so-bittersweet night of youth. It does it better than most games even attempt.
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