The Artful Escape, Beethoven & Dinosaur’s previous game, acts as one of my favorite indie titles ever. I’m starting this review with that confession because it shows just how high the bar was for Mixtape. I’m happy to say that, right from the start, Mixtape blew all those expectations away.
Games now cover just about every idea you can imagine, from super-niche experiments to blockbusters that show up in movie theater ads. But even with all that variety, it’s surprisingly rare to find a game that perfectly nails what it feels like to grow up.
There’s something special about a game that makes an impact just by focusing on the everyday. I still catch myself thinking about Harold Halibut, another indie gem that stuck with me. Mixtape has that same vibe—it’s a game about goodbyes, reunions, fresh starts, and all the cycles life throws at us.
Soul Music
Goodbyes, if you ask me, are about as close as people get to making a black hole—no fancy tech needed. Few things hurt the body, mind, and soul as deeply. Mixtape looks at that pain with a kind of quiet honesty that’s really moving.
It’s kind of surprising how a game made by total strangers can make you feel so connected. Then again, The Artful Escape already showed that Beethoven & Dinosaur know how to tell stories that really stick with you and build those invisible bonds between creators and players.
With every new frame and misadventure of Mixtape’s protagonist trio, I felt carried back to my own high school days—especially my last final day. It’s remarkable how Mixtape unearthed memories I thought were deeply buried, forcing me to recall details from a day I could hardly remember. For context, it’s been nearly thirteen years since I graduated.
They say growing up is an act of courage, but now that I’m on the other side, I’d argue it’s closer to madness. We surrender fragments of ourselves, tuck them away in imaginary drawers, and toss the key as if we’ll never need them again.
Mixtape masterfully compels us to feel, reflect, and—perhaps most importantly—remember that we are still those same people, if only we choose to be. Embracing your true self isn’t rebellion; it’s a vital affirmation of existence.
I came in expecting a nostalgic coming-of-age story, but instead, I discovered a work of art that rises above being just another product. Much like a mixtape—or a Spotify playlist for the modern crowd—Mixtape is an Experience, with a capital E. If you’re looking for a traditional video game, you won’t find it here.
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
In Beethoven & Dinosaur’s adventure, we follow three teenage friends on their final day of high school. The coming-of-age genre flourished in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and Mixtape captures its essence with remarkable authenticity.
Our core trio consists of the passionate and reactive Stacey, the laid-back and talented Slater, and the straight-laced Cassandra. At least, those are the initial archetypes we are presented with.
But after a few minutes into the plot, the studio’s genius shines through as the characters gain new layers, dreams, and anxieties, becoming incredibly complex individuals who manage to break through the virtual barrier. We’ve all had a Slater, a Stacey, and a Cassandra in our lives!
Mixtape takes roughly three hours to complete, but that’s where its simplicity ends. It effortlessly shifts between hilarious minigame sequences, music documentary moments, and scenes straight out of a teen movie. This refusal to fit into a single box is a testament to its creative courage—especially refreshing to see in 2026.
Though its runtime may seem brief, Mixtape’s pacing is pitch-perfect. It leaves a lasting impact, delivers moments of awe, and thoughtfully explores the complex dramas of each character. Every member of the trio confronts personal challenges that feel deeply relatable.
The writing is exceptional. While the coming-of-age theme offers fertile ground, it takes genuine skill to craft characters with such layered emotions. Even more impressive is how authentically it recreates the emotional turbulence that precedes adulthood: The uncertainty of who we’ll become, where we’ll go, and the ache of promising friends that nothing will change—even as we sense that everything inevitably will. Beethoven & Dinosaur delivers pure storytelling magic.
Daydreaming
Mixtape’s playable moments unfold as you journey from one house to another, interacting with objects that trigger memories of the past. These recollections are brought to life as minigames inspired by seemingly mundane activities—hitting baseballs, running from an adult in a shopping cart—yet, in adolescence, nothing feels truly ordinary, especially in the company of friends.
Each minigame quickly escalates wildly: A simple baseball game becomes a championship showdown, and fleeing an adult morphs into a citywide police chase. It’s a joy to revisit these adolescent fantasies and, if only briefly, reconnect with a former version of ourselves.
The brilliance of the studio shines in how such memories are accessed: Through the bedrooms of the three protagonists. At that age, bedrooms become fortresses, with walls decorated with mementos of important days. Seeing Slater’s, Stacey’s, and Cassandra’s personalities vividly reflected in their rooms—and witnessing the confidences they share—brings authenticity and intimacy to their story.
On Top of the World
Artistically, Beethoven & Dinosaur delivers a unified and striking vision across every aspect of Mixtape. One moment you’re riding along the streets on a skateboard, the next you’re immersed in a live-action music documentary. This smooth blending of styles is both strong and captivating.
Mixtape’s scene direction evokes the feeling of a scrapbook or collage, fluidly playing with genres, concepts, and ideas. The visual style is particularly distinctive; it draws on the aesthetics of stop-motion and claymation. This gives characters and environments a handcrafted, whimsical quality. The intentionally lowered framerate mimics the tactile feel of stop-motion, while hand-animated movements and expressive lip-syncing breathe life and authenticity into each scene. The result is a game with undeniable soul and a singular sense of realism.
From the character designs and city layouts to the bright color palette, Mixtape draws clear inspiration from subgenre classics—especially the films of John Hughes. Stacey’s frequent fourth-wall breaks, where she discusses music and her process of curating the Mixtape, are irresistibly reminiscent of Ferris Bueller speaking to the audience. This playful meta-narrative adds both charm and depth.
Of course, no discussion of Mixtape is complete without mentioning its soundtrack. As a game centered on both coming of age and the power of music, a stellar soundtrack was all but expected.
What I didn’t anticipate was discovering one of the finest soundtracks I’ve ever encountered in a video game. The selection ranges from hidden gems to iconic anthems—culminating in unforgettable moments, like Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”
Mixtape Review Verdict
The ending of Mixtape is both comforting and bittersweet. It wraps you in a warm nostalgia, memories of high school, along with the friendships that formed us. Yet, it also aches—because, ultimately, it’s a goodbye, a gentle close to another cycle of life. Mixtape isn’t just a game; it’s a landmark experience that everyone deserves to have.
In an industry obsessed with chasing trends and yesterday’s metrics, simply daring to be authentic feels miraculous. Fortunately for us, Beethoven & Dinosaur consistently achieves the “impossible” with every chapter of Mixtape.
Mixtape
10
Mixtape
Ruan está cobrindo a indústria dos games desde 2017, trazendo várias informações sob a ótica do mercado e reviews após o 100%. Quando ele não está escrevendo, está jogando algum…
More from Ruan Almeida
