Mixtape, one last night to live the ultimate teenage experience. This narrative video game developed by Beethoven and Dinosaur, tells the story of three friends during their last night of high school.
Rocky, the main protagonist, Cass and Slater prepare for their last night together. The last night before they all go their separate ways and start a new chapter in their lives. Cass will go to college, Rocky will fly to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a music supervisor. This last night together will take a deep dive into their memories together during high school.
Mixtape: A profound Narrative Immersion
Mixtape is a narrative driven video game with semi-linear progression in which the player gets to explore the memories of the 3 friend group. A game to remember your high school days while you follow the protagonist’s own story. The video game is not particularly long, estimated to be played between three to four hours. It is more of an experience, to make the player remember old days and to appeal to their nostalgia.
The game’s design blends real imagery with animation to create an original vision of a period in life when everything is about to change. Following the depiction of clothing, scenery and decor, we could say that the game takes place during the late 90’s and early 2000’s . Mixtape clearly appeals to an adult audience through its nostalgia for the coming-of-age years.
Best Rated Game of the Year
Mixtape has taken the crown as the best -rated video game of the year, with very positive reviews from the gaming community. This coming-of-age adventure has overtaken other video games and cozy games that were highly rated by players.
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Mixtape Gameplay Overview
Mixtape is available on Steam, Xbox series X|S, PS5, nintendo switch 2, and Epic Game Store. The game will inform you that you can play it with a console controller if you are using a PC. However, the game will also feature the movements in keyboard combination and controller buttons when needed.
Mixtape is a Narrative video game that presents the story as an interactive movie. Player interaction with the game inserts itself in the most unexpected moments and “missions”. From rewinding a cassette to riding a shopping cart to elude the police, even kissing.
In contrast to the most used mechanics and missions in video games, Mixtape does not introduce their player interaction as a means to obtain a goal, eliminate enemies or gain experience. This narrative video game introduces player interaction as a means to complete a memory. It embraces the players actions as part of the three friends’ experience and story. By participating in meaningful moments of the story, such as finding their hideout, escaping a party, or just “wasting an afternoon”.
Another memorable feature of the game that marks a difference from most narrative titles is the presence of player actions. During the memory in which Rocky and Slater are taking photos in the photobooth, you’ll be able to position them in the poses you prefer. These chosen poses will show in the photos after. During the Slushy memory, you’ll get to choose your own recipe and the characters will present it as their masterpiece. Moreover, when Stacey is painting the door of their secret hideout, the player can choose the colours and paint it as they wish. The choice in painting and design will later appear in the cinematic scenes of the game.
Achievements That Fit The Game
Like any video game, Mixtape has its own list of achievements that do not necessarily affect the overall narrative. These are a series of actions that complement the story and through which the player enhances their experience and immersion in the story.
That said, the achievements in Mixtape are great fun and fit perfectly with the story.
Mixtape: The Playlist
The video game includes a different music track during each part of the action, some of them introduced by the protagonist herself. Music to accompany the feeling of the memory or to serve as a soundtrack to the current mission.
Each song in Mixtape has its own meaning to Stacey (Rocky). Here is the complete list of all songs in Mixtape.
Rocky’s Mixtape For The Night:
- That’s Good – DEVO
- Just Like Honey – The Jesus and Mary Chain
- Freak – Silverchair
- Sensitive to Light – Rainbow
- Remember When – Mitch Murder
- Witchi Tai To – Harper’s Bizarre
- Have You Seen Her? – The Chi–Lites
- Airwalker – Bertrand Dolby
- Monochrome – Lush
- Deep Space Scan – Curtis Dunn
- State of the Heart – Mondo Rock
- The Touch – Stan Bush
- Zebra Crossing – The Eye Gougers
- Most of All – B.J. Thomas
- Moon Unit – Wooden Sword
- Drunk Flamingo – Abrahams and Mole
- Love – The Smashing Pumpkins
- Shine – David Gray
- Roads – Portishead
- Powder – Allclear
- Yesterday’s Hero – John Paul Young
- More Than This – Roxy Music
- Spellbound – Siouxsie & The Banshees
Outside The Main Track List
- Atmosphere – Joy Division
- Plainsong – The Cure
- Candy – Iggy Pop
- Galaxy in Turiya – Alice Coltrane
- Dare – Stan Bush
Games To Tell Stories And As A Source Of Nostalgia
Nostalgia in video games is nothing new. Many titles incorporate this sentiment either into the main storyline or through Easter eggs that players can discover whilst playing.The positive reception of narrative-driven games like this one proves that video games are not merely a source of entertainment. They are also a medium for communication and reflection, and a tool for building a community of players with all kinds of experience and backgrounds.
Discover this and many more games with us. Guides, news and tips, in a community created by gamers, for gamers.
Quoting Rocky’s sister:
“Life changes quickly. Leave nothing unsaid.”
Game on!🎧📼