The video game industry is a dominant force amongst all other media through the varied experiences and genres accessible from a range of devices. Experience is the key word – we walk as these characters, fight as these characters and ultimately die as these characters. Special narratives were once so powerful as story-driven games of high quality were few and far between, but now all games promote story even when it is nothing more than a plaster board. Mixtape is a game, yet it is firstly a 3-hour experience that leans on nostalgia and breaking away from youth. With the average gamer now in their late 30s, this places a swathe of players in the 90s as a child or teen – the era of Mixtape. This review will be more personal than any other game review in recent times, simply because it connects with staples of youth and rebellion: first kiss, future dreams, losing friends, reminiscing about trouble and the narrow escapes. It does so through vignettes and mini-games, from skating through the neighbourhood to mixing slushies and vandalising houses. But the heartbeat of the game is its soundtrack, connecting memories and story beats with tracks from the 60s to the 90s as our lead, Stacey Rockford, tries to navigate one last night with her two best friends. This is my game of 2026 so far in a year that has otherwise regurgitated IPs and ideas. Mixtape regurgitates memories it never knew I had.
The structure of the game is generally story, mini-game, specific track and then move to the next section. Don’t be put off by its simplicity, because the pacing and mechanics are enthralling. Stumbling around a video store drunk, knocking over all the titles while a clerk barks about not cleaning up, or shattering glass bottles with slingshot is not difficult. You can’t fail. But you still try perfection on your first run. Compare that to a mini-game on a skateboard flipping off everything and causing explosions, and you dive into the offerings despite their obvious limitations in scope. Stacey connects so well with her friends Slater and Cassandra, navigating their rooms to teach the player more about their friendship and beginnings. This aligns to the ‘current’ events as the three try to get alcohol for the one last party, with Stacey forever in the shadow of her older and ‘cooler’ sister while the world needs to move a certain way to roll with her preset playlist. The depth despite the length is something to behold.
Gameplay is broken into many small segments often doing the simple things that we all remember from youth. A slingshot breaking bottles, knocking a ball around, filming our friends. But the mechanics are so well designed that they respect your effort (or lack thereof). There is controversy about an early mini-game that involves moving two tongues inside a youth’s mouth for a first kiss. It is rather foul. Though it emulates how most of us felt being a nervous teen trying our best to seem experienced when no experience ever occurred beforehand. Even rocking out to a killer track in a car and flicking lights on and off appeals to our playful need to engage the senses. If you’ve ever enjoyed a coming of age tale, you’ll find something here. Though I really see this as a game for everyone, especially with its brisk length at a time when finishing a game deserves more than a trophy.
I said this would get personal, and everyone I’ve spoken to about the game has revealed some form of youthful connection. Standing in a milk bar, pulling all the levers to mix up the craziest concoction of slushie resonated. Sitting back in a friend’s bedroom as their parents yell out from downstairs resonated. Browsing a video store resonated. I can’t do any of this now. I’m too old, and with kids of my own. The world has also moved on. This is set before smartphones and social media and certain idealised standards. My kids will have their own nostalgia, but it won’t be similar to the moments in Mixtape. This brings about a certain kind of sadness, especially in the final mini-game (I won’t spoil it, but it will take some longer than others). I felt for these characters and understood the importance of their plight, even if I would consider it far removed now. The developers have tapped into a part of the brain few games access, and that’s why I find this such a special experience.
The music choices and the use of tracks may be the most important component of the game. Stacey uses music as mood, as an anchor and as a navigator. Her friends sort of go along with it, understanding the importance. The tracks range from Silverchair’s Freak to Iggy Pop’s Candy to John Paul Young’s Yesterday’s Hero. But there are so many deeper cuts than this. Tracks that may have been popular in your youth, or our parent’s youth, or understood through experience. Even the tracks I didn’t know became essential additions to my playlist as they drive the gameplay and story so well. How they chose such perfect tracks for certain moments (Smashing Pumpkins while sticking up the bird to anything and everything) is a demonstration of knowledge in games and music. It allows you to enjoy every moment as it should. We can’t dislike Stacey in her obsession with life aligning to a playlist and we realise how important it is to this gaming experience.
Mixtape is the surprise of 2026 and stands as the best game I’ve played this year. I’ve spent countless hours in Resident Evil 9, Saros, Pokopia, Dragon Quest 7 and so much more – none come close in experience. The year is yet young, but it will take something phenomenon to top this banger of a track.
Pros
- Setlist
- Characters and pacing
- Mini-games have great mechanics
Cons
- I just wish it was longer
