Mixtape—the latest release from Beethoven & Dinosaur, the Australian studio behind the BAFTA award-winning The Artful Escape—falls squarely into that third category . And critics are paying attention. With an astonishing 94 critic average on OpenCritic, Mixtape has instantly become one of the highest-rated games of 2026, sitting four points clear of its nearest competitor .
But what makes this short, music-driven adventure about three teenagers on their last night together resonate so deeply? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Mixtape—from its stop-motion-inspired visuals to its killer soundtrack and the bittersweet story at its heart .
What Is Mixtape? More Than Just a Game
At its core, Mixtape is a narrative adventure game about friendship, nostalgia, and the terrifying thrill of saying goodbye . You play as Stacey Rockford, a 17-year-old aspiring music supervisor who is leaving for New York City in the morning. Her final night in town? She’s spending it with her two best friends, Cassandra Marino and Van Slater, on a quest to find booze for the most popular girl in school’s party .
But the journey is really just a framework. As the trio makes their way across their suburban hometown, a perfectly curated playlist triggers dreamlike flashbacks. A Joy Division song might send them soaring through the air on skateboards. An Iggy Pop track could transport them back to a first kiss or a petty act of teenage rebellion .
Key details at a glance:
- Developer: Beethoven & Dinosaur (The Artful Escape)
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Release date: May 7, 2026
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam/Epic), Nintendo Switch 2
- Game Pass: Available day one on Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and cloud
A Visual Style You Can Reach Out and Touch
In an era where many games chase photorealism, Mixtape takes a bold, refreshingly different approach. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game deliberately avoids looking “real” . Instead, it embraces a handmade, textured aesthetic that feels like a playable graphic novel or a lost stop-motion animation.
Inspired by the post-Spider-Verse era of animated films, characters move with a stepped, slightly imperfect rhythm. The environments look like they were painted, collaged, and then brought to life. Every frame feels intentional. This isn’t a game you play; it’s a game you watch with the same reverence you’d give to A-Ha’s iconic “Take On Me” music video or a Peter Gabriel stop-motion masterpiece .
The attention to detail is staggering. In one charming example, during the opening scene as DEVO’s “Feel Good” plays, the characters’ hand claps are perfectly animated to sync with the actual hand claps in the song . These small touches transform a simple skate through suburbia into something magical.
The Soundtrack: The True Star of the Show
You can’t talk about a game called Mixtape without talking about the music. And the developers have delivered in spectacular fashion.
The game features a stacked roster of licensed tracks spanning from the 1960s to the 1990s, ensuring the nostalgia hits no matter your age . This isn’t background elevator music; the songs are the narrative’s engine. Each major memory or emotional beat is tied directly to a specific track, creating a synesthetic experience where you feel the music as much as you hear it.
Confirmed artists include:
- DEVO
- Roxy Music
- Lush
- The Smashing Pumpkins
- Iggy Pop
- Siouxsie and the Banshees
- Joy Division
- The Cure
- The Jesus and Mary Chain
- Silverchair
As one reviewer put it, the game features a “shockingly solid soundtrack that’s narratively important and also kind of a bop all its own” . Whether you’re head-banging to Silverchair in the backseat of a car or swaying to “Just Like Honey” alone in a bedroom, the music elevates every moment from mundane to unforgettable .
Gameplay: Vibes Over Difficulty
If you’re looking for a punishing challenge, Mixtape probably isn’t for you. The gameplay is designed to be accessible, intuitive, and varied—a series of interactive vignettes rather than a test of skill .
One minute you’re skateboarding down a winding road, needing only to tap X to ollie over a car (which, conveniently, unlocks the “Thrashed” achievement) . The next, you’re using a slingshot to shoot cans off a derelict car before a timer runs out . Later, you might be controlling two thumbsticks to simulate the awkward, hilarious horror of a teenage tongue kiss .
There are rhythm elements, exploration sections, and physics-based puzzles (like moving a couch into a specific spot in under 30 seconds) . However, the consequences for failure are almost nonexistent. Crash while skateboarding? The action simply rewinds a few seconds like a VHS tape. Miss a jump? Try again instantly .
The goal here isn’t to “beat” the game but to experience it. Mixtape is what critics call a “vibes-based experience”—low stakes, high emotion, and unapologetically short .
How Long Does It Take to Finish?
In a landscape of 100-hour open-world epics, Mixtape is a breath of fresh air. The main story takes approximately three to five hours to complete .
- Focused playthrough: Around 3 hours
- Relaxed, exploratory playthrough: 4-5 hours
- Completionist (all achievements/trophies): 5-6 hours
This brevity is intentional. The game is designed to be finished in one or two sittings—like listening to an album from start to finish. It respects your time and leaves you wanting more, which is far better than overstaying its welcome . Plus, with chapter select available, you can easily jump back to specific moments to mop up any missed achievements without replaying the entire game .
Should You Play? The Critical Consensus
The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. While Metacritic aggregates to an 85 (still very good), OpenCritic’s 94 places Mixtape in the “Mighty” category—one of the best-reviewed games of the year so far .
What critics love:
- The aesthetic: “Exquisite handmade aesthetic… a loving ode to an analogue past”
- The soundtrack: A perfectly curated playlist that drives the story
- The heart: A genuinely moving portrayal of teenage friendship and saying goodbye
- The variety: Constantly shifting mini-games keep the 3-hour runtime fresh
Potential drawbacks:
- Short length: Some players might feel $17.99 is steep for 3 hours
- Light on mechanics: This is not a “game-y” game; if you need deep systems, look elsewhere
- Occasional filler: Some scenes meander more than others
If you have Xbox Game Pass, the decision is easy—just download it. If you’re on PS5 or Switch, consider whether an interactive, music-driven nostalgia trip sounds like your cup of tea. For fans of Life is Strange, Sayonara Wild Hearts, or Tetris Effect, Mixtape will likely be an instant favorite .
Tips for Trophy Hunters: Getting That Platinum
Despite its short runtime, Mixtape offers a robust list of 30+ achievements and trophies for completionists . Some unlock naturally through story progression, while others require specific actions during the mini-game sequences.
A few tricky ones to watch for:
- From the Hip: Hit all the cans with the slingshot in under 30 seconds (chapter: Slingshot)
- Paint it, Black, If You Want: Paint the entire door in under 30 seconds (chapter: Door Painting)
- French Connection: Kiss for a full 60 seconds—yes, you have to sit through the cringe (chapter: The Kiss)
- Triple Ply: Throw 50 rolls of toilet paper at the house (chapter: Toilet Paper Attack)
Most achievements can be cleaned up using the chapter select menu, so don’t stress if you miss one on your first playthrough. Just enjoy the ride the first time, then go back for the completionist run .
Final Verdict
Mixtape is not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s not pushing graphical boundaries or introducing revolutionary mechanics. What it does do—and does exceptionally well—is capture a feeling.
That specific, bittersweet feeling of your last night in a town you’ve outgrown. The weight of memories that you’ll carry with you forever. The terror of the unknown future and the comfort of friends who understand you completely.
Should you buy it? Absolutely, especially if you have Game Pass. For $18 or a subscription fee, you’re getting one of the most artistically distinct and emotionally resonant experiences of 2026 . It’s short, sweet, and unforgettable—just like the best mixtapes. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Mixtape on Game Pass?
Yes. Mixtape launched as a day-one title on Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and cloud gaming (Ultimate tier) .
Q: How long is Mixtape?
The main story takes approximately 3 to 5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and exploration. Completionists should expect 5 to 6 hours .
Q: Who are the main characters?
The three protagonists are Stacey Rockford, Cassandra Marino, and Van Slater. The story is told primarily from Stacey’s perspective .
Q: What platforms is Mixtape available on?
Mixtape is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and Nintendo Switch 2 .
Q: What is the price of Mixtape?
The standard price is $17.99 USD, though it is included with Xbox Game Pass subscriptions .
Q: Can I replay chapters to get missed achievements?
Yes, Mixtape features a chapter select menu, allowing you to revisit specific sections to clean up achievements or trophies without replaying the entire game .
