Man… Mixtape absolutely rules. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the game ever since its initial reveal, because from the trailer alone, I KNEW I would love it, but to actually play the game…  it’s just a pure, concentrated dose of nineties teenage rebellion, wrapped up in one of the most affecting coming-of-age stories I have ever played. I love it. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Mixtape
Mixtape
Mixtape
Mixtape

The setup of Mixtape is wonderfully straightforward, with the game following three best friends – Stacey Rockford, Van Slater, and Cassandra Marino – on their absolute last night of high school. Stacey is moving to New York the very next morning to chase her dream of working in music, so the ticking clock is loud and clear. And, of course, what better way to say goodbye to your youth than to score some alcohol and crash a local beach party, right? But, of course, things do not go entirely to plan. 

What makes the narrative dynamic work so well is the creative yet fitting depth of the writing and the brilliant voice performances that go alongside it. The game also constantly breaks the fourth wall, speaking directly to the player to add this elevated sense of immersion that really makes you feel like you’re part of the story. As someone who grew up across the 90s and finds the characters so relatable, it made the story all the more impactful… almost like I wish I could be one of them, living out this wonderful night together. It’s not often games resonate with me so deeply like this, but Mixtape hooked me in tightly from the first moment. 

“Mixtape is a beautiful, hilarious, and profoundly touching experience that understands EXACTLY what it feels like to be a teenager standing on the edge of the rest of your life.” 


When it comes to how Mixtape actually plays, it is worth noting that it’s not your typical gaming experience. This is a linear, narrative-driven game that clocks in around the four-hour mark, and one where you will not find any fail states, branching paths, or complex skill trees. Instead, the gameplay acts like… well… a compilation album (or, uh-hum, a ‘mix tape’) of brief yet highly engaging interactive moments. One minute you are skateboarding down a hill dodging traffic, and the next you are steering a shopping trolley away from the police, skipping stones on a lake, or wandering through an dinosaur-themed park… you know, the sort of things you might’ve found yourself doing during your youth. 

None of these mini-games last more than a few minutes, meaning they never have the chance to get boring, but more importantly? They’re genuinely engaging and fun. Sometimes, the game even shifts into surreal, dreamlike scenarios, bringing this wild change of pace and feel that still manages to fit perfectly into the journey. And sure, there is a slight dip in the pacing in some earlier moments of the game where the foundations of the storytelling and the relationship that the characters share are explored, but at the same time, without it, you wouldn’t get the same attachment to them. And hey, once the second half of the experience kicks into gear and the focus shifts to their present-day antics, the momentum NEVER lets up. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Mixtape
Mixtape
Mixtape
Mixtape

Visually, Mixtape is a massive treat, with the game adopting a bold, stop-motion style that looks bedazzling in-game. It gives the whole thing a charming, handmade feel, which is cleverly mixed with real-world photos and videos during some sequences. Honestly, it’s simply wonderful to look at, and with contrasting colours between pure vibrancy and stark monochromes helping set each individual scene, it stands out a visual marvel throughout. 

But, as the title implies, the music is the TRUE star of the show. Stacey has curated a specific playlist for this final night, and the licensed soundtrack is nothing short of INCREDIBLE. Featuring around two dozen massive tracks from the likes of Joy Division, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, The Cure, and more, the audio design is… well… flawless. What feels especially clever is the fact that Stacey actually introduces the tracks to you, explaining their history and why they fit the moment. I was already a fan of the vast majority of the tracks, but seeing how they impacted these characters just made them feel that bit more special.  

Mixtape Review
10/10

Whether you grew up in the nineties or just appreciate a beautifully told story about friendship and… well… growing up, Mixtape hits every single emotional note wonderfully. It perfectly balances the humour of doing stupid things with your friends against the terrifying reality of moving on and leaving your childhood behind, and whilst some might argue that a four-hour linear game might lack some appeal, the sheer quality of the experience makes it something you will want to revisit just to soak in the atmosphere all over again.  

Mixtape is a beautiful, hilarious, and profoundly touching experience that understands EXACTLY what it feels like to be a teenager standing on the edge of the rest of your life. I haven’t felt that way in a long, long time, but having a reminder of it here has helped make the game an instant classic, and for me, one I’ll never forget.  

Developer: Beethoven and Dinosaur 
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive 
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC 
Website: https://mixtape.game/