Mixtape Preview: A Nostalgic Journey Through Music in the ‘90s

The significance of mixtapes, or today's equivalent Spotify playlists, during our formative teenage years is a sentiment shared by many. The act of curating the perfect playlist to share with friends or a crush is an experience that resonates deeply. Those playlists narrate a story, and although my own teenage compilations were filled with the metalcore bands I adored, the memories tied to those long-forgotten CD-Rs and iTunes mixes remain vivid to this day. Music played a pivotal role during those awkward adolescent years, serving as a key means of self-expression and identity formation. The various subgenres and scenes were just as vital as my garage band experiences, sunburned days at Warped Tour, and the countless hours spent sorting through MP3s on my aging laptop to craft the perfect weekly soundtrack. In its current form, Mixtape effectively captures the essence of life needing the right musical accompaniment. The demo opens with me skating through a picturesque northwestern town at golden hour, set to the tune of Devo’s "That’s Good.” The protagonist, Stacey, immediately engages the player by emphasizing the significance of good headphones and an outstanding playlist. Mixtape combines elements of a traditional point-and-click adventure, similar to Life is Strange, with clever fourth-wall breaks that reveal characters' thoughts and feelings in a fluid manner. While this technique isn't entirely novel, few games achieve it as well as Mixtape does, and it hasn’t overstayed its welcome. From the limited chapters I've experienced, Mixtape feels like a fusion of a video game and a visually striking TV show. The camera work, along with the intentionally low frame rate animation of the characters, adds a distinct charm, and the dialogue, while somewhat campy, never detracted from my immersion. Stacey, Slater, and Cassandra embody quintessential teenage archetypes, yet they avoid the pitfalls of being overly annoying or cliché. Their caricatured personas resonate with nostalgia, and there were moments when I found myself reflecting, "I've been there before." This storytelling approach, which taps into a sense of anemoia—nostalgia for a time that never was—hits the mark perfectly. Now, let’s delve into the heart of Mixtape: its music. Although the tracks featured may not have aligned with the CD-Rs from my youth, they are exceptional. The snippets I encountered showcased an impressive range, from Devo to Silverchair, hinting at the promising diversity of the final soundtrack. The developers at Beethoven & Dinosaur have clearly avoided the typical, safe choices often associated with ‘90s music, opting instead for an eclectic mix that not only narrates the journey of music aficionados seeking to craft the ultimate mixtape for a job as a music supervisor but also encapsulates the concluding day of three teens’ high school lives. However, while the atmosphere and soundtrack are compelling, the gameplay in Mixtape felt somewhat lacking. Although some moments in the demo required more interaction—like evading police in a shopping cart or throwing toilet paper at Stacey’s principal’s house—the chapters I played occasionally felt more like watching a polished interactive show rather than engaging in a true gaming experience. Yet, even when gameplay moments lagged, captivating visuals and a well-timed soundtrack would draw me right back into Stacey Rockford's narrative. After my 30-minute dive into Mixtape, I can confidently assert that Beethoven & Dinosaur has a clear vision for this ‘90s-inspired teenage adventure. Its striking visuals and warm sense of nostalgia are refreshingly unique, and the soundtrack's choices left me yearning for more than the demo could provide. While it may not resonate with everyone, therein lies the essence of crafting the perfect mixtape, doesn't it?