New Indie Game Mixtape Released – Gaming Media Are Thrilled

“Mixtape is a nostalgic, vibes-based experience set to a shockingly solid soundtrack that's narratively important and also kind of a bop all its own. Teenage ennui permeates but never overwhelms while Stacy and her buds try to have one last wild night before it's splitsville in what's ultimately a short, meaningful game that's relatively light on mechanics.”

Mixtape is developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur studio, which is known for 2021’s The Artful Escape platformer title. The game is set in the 90s, where three friends—Rockford, Slater, and Cassandra—throw their final party before graduating high school. One of Mixtape's core features is its musical score; the gameplay mechanics are tied to the characters' musical memories and feature a vast collection of songs that perfectly complement the atmosphere.

It is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, and the gaming media have begun to post their scores for the game, which are notably high. At present, the game holds a Metacritic score of 85 based on 17 critic reviews and a Top Critic Average of 94 on OpenCritic, with an impressive 100% of critics recommending the title. Mixpate is lauded for its emotional and poignant narrative, a soundtrack that complements the atmosphere perfectly, and polished visuals; the only notable drawback is its brevity, as the game can be completed in just 3–4 hours.

IGN – 100/100:

“A musical delight from start to finish, Mixtape sets a new standard for coming-of-age stories in video games and does so with a masterful sense of style.”

DualShockers – 100/100:

“Mixtape is a coming of age tale that hits all the right notes from beginning to end. While it's a short game that you might only play once, that does not take away from how special the journey is along the way. Witty, hilarious writing, incredible voice performances, gorgeous art direction, and consistently creative gameplay beats are paired with a flawless soundtrack that serves as the backbone for every single scene perfectly in a '90s period piece that knows exactly what to drive home. The result is a wholly unique gaming experience that's loaded with nostalgic charm, great humor, and many poignant moments that will make you reframe how you think about your own personal memories of youth. I cannot recommend it enough.”

GamingTrend – 100/100:

“Mixtape is an immersive game as you follow Rockford, Slater, and Cass on the last night of High School. Spanning the highs and lows of the evening, the game’s Mixtape includes music from Devo, Iggy Pop, Lush, The Cure, and more. A full game you can complete in a 4-6 hour span with an hilarious, emotional story that will leave many in tears. If you’re a fan of 80s and 90s nostalgia, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off-style cutaways, and an ode to outcasts, you’ll enjoy Mixtape.”

Insider Gaming – 100/100:

“Beethoven & Dinosaur's Mixtape is a deeply nostalgic, coming-of-age masterpiece that beautifully captures the emotional weight of three friends facing their last day of high school. Through its inventive gameplay, stop-motion-inspired visuals, and stellar soundtrack, it delivers a profound and unforgettable experience about growing up and the bittersweet nature of goodbyes.”

PlayStation LifeStyle – 90/100:

“With some of the most beautiful visuals you’ll see on PS5 and a rocking soundtrack full of nostalgic vibes, Mixtape is a meaningful coming-of-age story that is a blast to play through. Paired with a fun trophy list that will have you taking full advantage of its chapter select, it gives you good reason to go back without ever making its main story go on too long. Short and sweet, developer Beethoven & Dinosaur has instantly become one of my favorites with this captivating adventure.”

GamesRadar+ - 80/100:

“Mixtape is a nostalgic, vibes-based experience set to a shockingly solid soundtrack that's narratively important and also kind of a bop all its own. Teenage ennui permeates but never overwhelms while Stacy and her buds try to have one last wild night before it's splitsville in what's ultimately a short, meaningful game that's relatively light on mechanics.”

TheGamer – 80/100:

“Despite the limited gameplay and slightly repetitive nature of wandering around rooms to click on objects, Mixtape is an experience I’ll remember for a long while. The sharp dialogue that feels real and stays the right side of grating, easy-going storytelling, excellent soundtrack, and supreme confidence to play around with the medium make Mixtape well worth tuning into, even if some will be put off by a perceived lack of things to do. I still haven’t really figured out if Mixtape is a video game, but I do know that I thoroughly recommend you give it a spin.”

• VGC – 10/10
• CGM – 10/10
• DayOne – 10/10
• WellPlayed – 10/10
• Xbox Tavern – 10/10
• TheSixthAxis – 10/10
• Retcon – 9/10
• Gamespot – 9/10
• Push Square – 9/10
• MonsterVine – 9/10
• Nintendo Life – 9/10
• GameReactor – 9/10
• Game Informer - 9/10

In these first fewer than six months, several games have been released that boldly claim the title of Game of the Year, including Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, as well as Slay the Spire 2 and Crimson Desert; judging by the reactions from gaming media, Mixtape will be tough competition for them. And that is not to mention the many major releases still to come, such as 007 First Light, Marvel's Wolverine, and, of course, Grand Theft Auto VI.

Are you excited for Mixtape, the new game from Beethoven & Dinosaur studio? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The game is available now on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.