In one instant, you’re cruising along a busy road on your skateboard, oblivious to the disgruntled motorists approaching; then suddenly, you find yourself deeply entangled in an overzealous kiss – that’s what it feels like being a teenager. That exact sensation is captured in Mixtape, a game currently under development by Beethoven & Dinosaur and set for publication by Annapurna Interactive. I was fortunate enough to sample around 25 minutes of Mixtape during my visit to L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2025.
Although I watched the unveiling trailer for Mixtape during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 last year, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. However, I can now confidently say that after trying out the demo version, Mixtape is one of the most imaginative games I’ve played recently, boasting excellent rhythm and consistently changing gameplay mechanics.
For the movie Mixtape, the idea is straightforward: A tight-knit circle of friends have recently graduated from high school. One of them is about to move far away in pursuit of a dream career, so they all gather for one final celebration – an unforgettable night party – before they potentially go their separate ways, perhaps forever.
In their teenage years, the trio shares an intense passion for exceptional music, and as dusk falls on their youth, they’re meticulously creating a final mind-blowing playlist.
At the heart of it all, music plays a significant role, and you’ll often find a rhythm humming in the backdrop, regardless of what unfolds. The soundtrack is filled with tunes from DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, the Cure, along with numerous other artists.
In conversation with creative director Johnny Galvatron, I inquired about his method for selecting songs. He openly shared that many of these songs were his own favorites, while a few others were strategically added to complete the playlist by fitting the required rhythm or beat where the team had to “work backwards” and find suitable tracks to fill the gaps.
In creating Mixtape, Beethoven and Dinosaur chose an unconventional method, constructing a “progressive segment” that allowed players to experience the game from start to finish in a rudimentary form. Subsequently, the team made adjustments or cuts to various parts of the project to ensure the soundtrack seamlessly fit within this structure.
The gameplay of Mixtape shifts swiftly at times, which can be a bit disorienting, yet it remains clear-cut. An intriguing part involves a group of youngsters fleeing a rowdy house party when the cops are called.
In one of the situations, someone was on the verge of fainting, so they grabbed a shopping cart and sped away along highways, making sharp turns and maneuvers. The police were in hot pursuit, with cars and even a helicopter joining the chase. It was thrilling, exciting, and just a bit absurd – an experience that Johnny acknowledged was deliberately designed for such excitement.
He notes, “At that stage in life, things seem more significant than they actually are.” This statement aims to convey the feelings of anxiety and upheaval often experienced by adolescents.
Despite the occasional thrilling near-misses and the formation of deep emotional connections, there’s also a lighthearted moment where the group enthusiastically headbangs to a tune while driving to grab cheeseburgers, their tempo set by how swiftly I could press the controller buttons. It’s enjoyable, and like other parts of the game I experienced, it doesn’t linger unnecessarily.
When I enquired about Johnny’s planned release date, he was vague but expressed optimism about the coming year. Regardless of when it ultimately releases, I’m looking forward to revisiting and completing that album.
At the end of our chat, I inquired from Johnny if there were any additional points potential players should grasp regarding Mixtape. His reply, quite straightforward and genuine, was:
“Go ahead and give it a try.
As a researcher, I am excited to announce that the game titled “Mixtape” is set to debut on various platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and PlayStation 5. Notably, it will be available immediately on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on their respective launch days.
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2025-06-16 17:09