Mixtape

Mixtape, through its expertly curated catalogue of songs, pulls together a genuinely heartfelt and nostalgic story about all of the friends we make, and invariably lose, in our formative years. As a cross-section between music and wasted youth, Beethoven and Dinosaur’s sophomore title is undeniably special. It’s an ode to the importance of music, how it shapes us and reminds us of who we are, all wrapped up in a bow and delivered through playable vignettes that are all killer, no filler, and a stark reminder of how fucking fun it was to be a kid.

Brilliant, irreverent, and visually stunning, Mixtape is a sensory masterpiece—an absolute must-play for anyone who has ever been 17 and felt the urge to remake the world with headphones on. Beethoven & Dinosaur demonstrates boundless creativity in bringing this musical journey to life, led by an utterly endearing trio. A pantheon-worthy entry in narrative gaming that strikes right at the heart.

Collectively, it's less like you're playing a game with a great soundtrack and more like someone has turned a soundtrack into an interactive experiment. It had to be a game, and that's partly what makes it so much more affecting than if this were a movie, but still, the music leads. Mixtape is whatever it needs to be in each moment, and the studio makes a strong case for why it must be that way.

If you can find the experiences you're having in Mixtape game within your past or within yourself, you can be sure it promises an unforgettable feeling. Johnny Galvatron, please continue, but make it a bit more gamified. Thanks.

Mixtape is an impressive take on what it feels to be a music-obsessed young person trying to come to terms with growing up and moving away from something they took for granted for years. The bittersweet feeling of having regrets and “big hits” stays as a lingering to a life that will never come back. It’s an emotionally powerful adventure in a way that's definitely worth giving a try.