Indie game Mixtape has become one of the most talked about games of the year, but a reader agues that while it doesn’t deserve the hate it’s had it is a flawed experience.
After completing Mixtape I’ve got mixed feelings about it, feelings that convey the critics’ adulation of it and feelings representative of the hateful audience reaction towards it. Here I’ll impart my feelings for people to chew over in the comments.
When I first saw the trailer for Mixtape, I was excited about what it offered because to me it looked like a rad and indie skating adventure, and I was eager to see what it was all about. I think Mixtape has cool vibes, and I think those vibes are nailed beautifully in the game. I also commend how Mixtape expresses itself and it does it in a freeing and existentialist way.
Obviously, no spoilers here, but there are happenings and activities in Mixtape you’ll never see in modern triple-A games, and I really appreciate the effort the game makes to be relaxing and expressive, and that its art style and animation carry its motif along seamlessly.
Sure, some will bemoan that Mixtape doesn’t have a lot of game inside of itself, but Mixtape is designed to tell a story with quirky interactive segments interspersed along the way. Mixtape is a tad like 2021’s Last Stop, from Variable State and Annapurna Interactive, and that was similarly derided for not containing much gameplay – but it was still enjoyable.
Furthermore, the gameplay bits are very imaginative too, they’re very dreamy and hallucinogenic, and some parts are legitimately enjoyable and unexpected.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
The selection of tunes in Mixtape underpins the vibes of each gameplay segment very well. I like the soundtrack despite not knowing many of the tunes in the game. In fact, I only knew about two songs when they were introduced, but Mixtape has introduced me to more great hits from yesteryear, and that’s a neat thing to appreciate.
As for what I don’t like, well it involves tone and how I feel its softness counteracts the subversiveness of the game somewhat, and that its lead characters don’t convince me that they are hoodlums enough.
As far as the music is concerned, I do like the songs, but Mixtape can fall into the trap of nostalgia bait, not only because of how it pushes its retro soundtrack on you, but in the way it pushes loads of retro gadgets and attitudes that were prevalent in the 90s in front of you, like a school kid showing you all their new toys in an attempt to make you jealous.
In addition, I can’t take the three main characters seriously as rebels. I think the devs were trying to strike a balance between teenaged rebelliousness with a gentleness and understanding, but it can seem a bit camp whilst at the same time trying to be cool. They do come up with some cool jokes though, which shows they do have some moxie.
I give kudos to the developers for making the game they wanted to make despite the hate and backlash. Frankly, it is oxymoronic to point out that a game full of love is incurring so much hate from parts of the gaming community, but the haters won’t stop these kinds of games from getting made. We could do with games that are as expressive as Mixtape, but maybe with more of an edge. Love it or hate it, Mixtape leaves an impression, and people are talking about it, so it’s definitely doing something right.
By reader James Davie
The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.
Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.