Every so often, a game trailer lands that feels like it was made for the core of my gaming soul. Mixtape is one of those. When I first saw its dreamy stop-motion visuals and heard tracks from DEVO and The Smashing Pumpkins blaring over scenes of friends skateboarding, shooting fireworks, and awkwardly fumbling through first kisses-that hooked me in a way all the marketing buzzwords in the world couldn’t. But now that we’ve finally seen actual gameplay, I’ve got a clearer picture of what this coming-of-age “playable mixtape” actually delivers-and why it could quietly become one of the most memorable narrative games of the year.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Annapurna Interactive |
| Release Date | 2024 (exact date TBA) |
| Genres | Narrative Adventure, Coming-of-Age, Music, Indie |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (Day One Game Pass) |
Mixtape’s premise is, frankly, catnip for fans of narrative-driven indies. Developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur—the team behind The Artful Escape, which was all about musical journeys and surreal visuals—this game focuses on a trio of friends reliving their most formative moments on the eve of graduation. But instead of static flashbacks or linear cutscenes, you actually play through these pivotal memories, from reckless supermarket shenanigans to the vulnerable highs and lows of young love.
What set Mixtape apart in the latest gameplay reveal is how it leans into the power of music as both theme and mechanic. Each memory is “scored” by iconic tracks from the likes of Roxy Music, Lush, Iggy Pop, and more. The game isn’t just dropping big names for nostalgia points—the devs actually discussed in their Day of the Devs diary how carefully they handpick songs to suit each emotional beat. This approach reminds me of how Life is Strange and Sayonara Wild Hearts used music to give moments real weight, not just window dressing.
Where Mixtape feels ambitious is in its promise of variety. The snippets we’ve seen so far aren’t just about walking around and talking—they show scenes where you’re skating, shooting photos, or even bombing down aisles in supermarket carts. Whether these vignettes will add up to more than a stylish collection of mini-games remains to be seen. But if anyone’s going to pull off that mix of style and heart, Annapurna Interactive and Beethoven & Dinosaur are safe bets. The Artful Escape wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it understood how to fuse music and visuals into something genuinely memorable. I’m cautiously optimistic Mixtape will nail that balance between interactive art piece and actual “game.”
Of course, nostalgia is a tricky beast. It’s easy to slap a beloved song over a slice-of-life moment and call it a vibe, but gamers are savvier now. We want those emotional punches to land because of meaningful interaction, not just because we heard “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins while pushing a virtual shopping cart. I’m hoping the writing and moment-to-moment play are as thoughtful as the tracklist. Otherwise, Mixtape risks sliding into the “Instagram filter, but a game” category—a stylish mood piece that doesn’t quite stick the landing.
Another thing worth noting: Mixtape is skipping Xbox One, even after previous cross-gen inklings. That’s honestly refreshing to see. We’ve watched too many creative indies get hamstrung by last-gen constraints; focusing on current hardware means better visuals and less creative compromise. Plus, the Day One Xbox Game Pass launch is a smart move—this is the kind of title that flourishes with word of mouth, and Game Pass has become the ultimate incubator for offbeat, emotionally-driven indie adventures.
If you’ve been craving a break from shooters and loot grinders, Mixtape could scratch that itch for something more reflective and personal. Its mix of interactive vignettes and a scene-defining soundtrack might give us the kind of “emotional rollercoaster” indies like Night in the Woods or Oxenfree once did. The big question is whether the gameplay will have enough depth to match the emotional ambition—and whether its “nostalgia for everyone” approach can hit as hard for players outside its obvious ‘90s/2000s reference pool.
Ultimately, Mixtape isn’t trying to compete with 100-hour RPGs or the next big shooter. It’s aiming for something more intimate—a playable scrapbook of memories, infused with the kind of music that shaped entire generations. And with Annapurna’s track record (from What Remains of Edith Finch to Stray), there’s a real chance this could be a sleeper hit when it drops later this year.
TL;DR: Mixtape is shaping up to be a playable coming-of-age mixtape, powered by a killer soundtrack and striking stop-motion visuals. If you’re tired of safe, recycled AAA formulas and want a game that aims for the heart, keep your eyes on this one—especially if you’ve got Game Pass. Just cross your fingers that it brings enough substance to match the style.