Nostalgia is a reminder of lost love. It’s a bittersweet feeling that endures the test of time. We often reflect on our past to make sense of what’s to come, but also to remember the “good ol’ days” that are sorely missed. Mixtape is the video game representation of that feeling, and it expertly encapsulates the experience of moving on from a teenage wasteland to the potential promised land of adulthood. Like that transition, Beethoven & Dinosaur’s latest isn’t perfect, but it offers an incredible adventure that wears its musical influences on its sleeve.
Mixtape follows Stacy Rockford, a music-obsessed teen ready to follow her dream of becoming a music supervisor. On the day before she leaves for New York to follow that dream, she embarks on one last adventure with her two best friends, Cassandra Morino and Van Slater, that has the tight-knit friend group reminiscing on key moments that brought them to where they are now. This is all accompanied by a mixtape that Rockford has curated for the special day.
It is this mixtape that really is the glue for Mixtape. Each vignette of the trio’s life is essentially represented by a song, and each scene is written in service of that song. Whether it’s That’s Good by DEVO or More Than This by Roxy Music, it is the music that is holding any given scene together, with the gameplay and visuals in support of whatever feeling the song is eliciting.
It is these scenes where developer Beethoven & Dinosaur really show their unique creativity and vision. Although it’s not music they created, the chosen music plays out like some of my favorite concept albums. The music and gameplay sections, all by themselves, can easily be enjoyed, but putting them all together in this three or four-hour audiovisual experience is how it is meant to be enjoyed.
Mixtape is not just a love letter to music, but also the coming-of-age stories that came before it. The game’s story is clearly influenced by the iconic John Hughes flicks from the 80s and 90s, while also maintaining its own spin on the genre. And while a lot of the game is referential, it is still able to tell a story that is engaging, leaving you wanting to know what happens next when the credits roll.
Much of my enjoyment of Mixtape’s story is the performances by the main three characters, Rockford, Slater, and Cass. Portrayed by Bella DeLong, Max Korman, and Jessica Ma, respectively, the delivery of their lines feels authentic to each character. Most of it doesn’t feel forced or cringey; it just feels like friends hanging out. The supporting cast is also great, with performances that help lift up the main three characters. Specifically, Jenny “Fucking” Goodspeed and Officer Morino really help with fleshing out the story, as they are integral parts of the gang’s last day together.
While I only have glowing things to say about Mixtape, despite some of the chatter on the internet, I don’t think I would recommend this game to everyone. Anyone who didn’t like Beethoven & Dinosaur’s last game, The Artful Escape, or doesn’t really vibe with story-driven adventure games like Life is Strange, Journey, or What Remains of Edith Finch probably shouldn’t play this game. If you’re looking for gameplay that has stakes, this is probably not the game for you, as you can just set the controller down in a lot of sections and just let it play out without fail.
The music and story also cater to a fairly specific audience. The game is set somewhere during the 90s, with most of its tracks released between the 60s and 90s. It’s also mostly rock music. This is a game catered to someone like me, a person who grew up in the suburbs who listened to a lot of Rush, Thin Lizzy, and The Cure, and had a friend group that may have done some of the exact things in this game. I am one of many, but not everyone has had those experiences, and the tone might not vibe with everyone.
Be that as it may, for me, Mixtape hits on every level. It is an example I’ll point to going forward to show that video games can be more than just climbing towers or mowing down waves of enemies. It can be an interactive medium that can tell an intriguing story, and not just be a test of one’s mettle. It is not for everyone, but Mixtape really does hit all the right notes for me.
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