From the announcement, Mixtape was honest about its intentions. A narrative that uses music as a way of connecting with memories of the past. Music has been woven into every part of this narrative. Each memory sees a different song played. Character interactions and intentions are driven by music. Beethoven & Dinosaur have really understood the nostalgia that music can bring. And how it can amplify a mood.
Right from the first skating down roads to get to the house of Stacey Rockford, Mixtape utilises that well. The music choice is upbeat, adding to the feeling of soaring downhill on skateboards through autumn colours. The music choices aren’t just for background, as Rockford says we are listening to her mixtape carefully constructed for this last day the three friends are spending together.
It is mostly through Rockford’s eyes this narrative plays out. Once at her house, the three stay in her room, talking and reminiscing of the days they spent together. Van Slater and Cassandra Morino are great friends to interact with. The dialogue of these three shows their history together. How great friends they are. With the memories of the past allowing me to experience those moments and greater connect with them.
Across the narrative, there’s many interactive segments to control. From simple stuff such as batting at softball, or full exploration sequences on foot. There’s plenty of variety to the interactive segments, with some surreal experiences that can be encountered. Such scenes also match the music, such as floating back home to a very sombre song. While all interactive segments are simple, it works to not detract from the narrative being told.
On moving to the house of Cassandra, another skateboarding segment takes place. Providing more memories to encounter within a new place and more interactions to be had with Slater and Morino. Now, this being the last day they will spend together, emotions are high. Bringing some friction to the proceedings. Mixtape handles that friction with some great interactions that show the strain this last night together has placed on them.
There’s some fun humour among the narrative, with one particular interaction I found very funny just for how it comes out of nowhere. And Rockford’s reaction to it. It’s also fun how the introductions to songs that play are handled, with said introductions sometimes being part of the interactions rather than just being part of her narrated thoughts. It’s quirky, but fits very well to who Rockford is.
The highs and lows of Mixtape are very fun to encounter, with me connecting to the trio enough to feel their sadness when the night came to an end after three hours of being with them. Strong visuals, and a powerful wave of nostalgia delivered by the music had me very captivated from start to finish. Everything about Mixtape is wonderful, so it should be no surprise I can easily recommend it.
Images Taken From:
Mixtape | Xbox Series S
