Among all the games at Summer Game Fest Play Days, Mixtape was the one I was most eagerly waiting for. Developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur, known for The Artful Escape, I had great expectations from this game that evokes nostalgia and tells a coming-of-age story. After immersing myself in its world for an hour, I found myself reluctant to leave it behind.
In my Mixtape demo, I navigated through various significant scenes of the game. Initially, it started with the opening scene where the three main characters were skating down the street, heading home. As we skated, we exchanged conversations about friends and our upcoming plans. Occasionally, these discussions would pause so that everyone could exclaim “car!” We then brainstormed a strategy to acquire some alcohol for the night’s celebration.
At home, we opted to relax for a bit to avoid raising any suspicions by quickly arriving and departing. I wandered into the bedroom adorned with movie posters, artwork, and nostalgic Polaroid pictures from cherished childhood memories. As I recalled a first kiss, I engaged in a mini-game where I directed two intertwining tongues.
In our car ride to the party, we cranked up the tunes, and I managed the rhythm of our dancing and headbanging using button presses, pausing briefly when cops were around. I even started bobbing my head along with the rhythm while playing the sequence. Unfortunately, the party ended up getting raided, so we opted to escape by shopping cart. Guiding the cumbersome cart through suburban neighborhoods, I navigated around police cars hot on our tail. The chase came to a dramatic close as we reached the pier and leaped off the edge.
The mixtape game captivated me from the start with its unique visual aesthetic, enhanced by its captivating dreamlike scenes. I didn’t have much time to explore it, but within minutes, I recognized aspects of myself in the three main characters. The raw emotion that accumulates as you approach adulthood, the reminiscence of cherished childhood moments, and the longing to celebrate the end of adolescence in a memorable way, all seem incredibly genuine. There are hints of classic teen movies like Ferris Bueller and Booksmart in its portrayal.
The music is what binds everything in this mixtape. It’s fitting that the soundtrack is dotted with 80s and 90s classics like those from The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, and Joy Division. They not only stir up a sense of nostalgia but also function as a continuous thread in the story of this coming-of-age group.
I can’t wait any longer to dive deeper into Mixtape! It’s as if the creativity of John Hughes had been poured into a Life is Strange-style game. Among all the fantastic games showcased at Summer Game Fest 2025, this one stands out as my favorite.
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2025-06-10 22:59