‘Mixtape’ Review: Indie, But Not

Topic of Conversation There is a mild firestorm circulating parts of the game-o-sphere. A conversation about whether the game Mixtape is even a game. About original ideas and IPs in gaming versus franchising sequels. About the ties between the film and gaming industry. About the overlap of conglomerate media and indie projects. About nostalgia and generational media consumption. About geopolitics and consumerism. About the very defining elements of ‘gameplay’. In a very late-stage capitalism kind of way; the conversation around Mixtape is one concerning the very soul of modern media. But we should probably just talk about the game, right? Let’s get into it. [Headings are the titles of songs on the soundtrack.] Remember When [Plot] Mixtape is concentrated throwback feels. It pays homage to 80s and 90s nostalgia at the intersection of music and film. The game follows three teenagers in the mid-90s on their last days of high school and the last chill session of their young lives. You are dropped into the world of music nerd Stacy, musician slacker Slater, and mathlete Cassandra as they knock items off their ‘last day together’ to-do list. Northern California hijinks ensue, and you are with them every step of the way. Game director Johnny Galvatron says it better than I can, but I’ll just say there is a fourth character: the soundtrack. The entirety of the game is moved and formed by the music selection. Any ups, downs, changes in the story – anything that happens is both dictate…