Why Mixtape Stood Out at Summer Game Fest

There were plenty of demos to check out at Summer Game Fest 2025, but only one Mixtape. From Beethoven & Dinosaur, the team behind The Artful Escape, Mixtape is shaping up to be a coming-of-age adventure that hits all the right notes—literally and emotionally. Set in the ‘90s and dripping with nostalgic detail, it follows three friends spending one last night together before everything changes. Based on the 30-minute demo shown at the event, it’s clear this game isn’t just about growing up—it's about remembering why those years mattered.

A Road Trip Through Teen Memories

The story kicks off with a simple premise: three teens, one farewell night, and a mixtape’s worth of shared memories. But what Mixtape does best is capture the little moments that define growing up. The opening scene drops you into a golden suburban landscape as you skateboard down a hill to Devo, dodging cars and soaking in the warm tones of a late afternoon. It’s the kind of slice-of-life storytelling that feels familiar without leaning too hard on clichés.

Every scene builds on that foundation with something new—whether it’s skating down another hill, riding in a shopping cart, or quietly digging through old tapes in a bedroom to trigger flashbacks. Even when the mechanics repeat, the meaning behind them shifts, making each moment feel fresh.

Why Mixtape Stood Out at Summer Game Fest

Gameplay That Keeps You Guessing

Calling Mixtape a “genre-blender” might undersell just how experimental it feels. From rhythm mini-games to interactive memories and light exploration, no two moments play exactly the same. During the demo, players tapped along to “Freak” by Silverchair while the kids bobbed their heads in the car—complete with different animations for each character’s personal rocking style. After a quick stop at a drive-thru, even the drink cups joined in with icy sound effects syncing to the beat.

But the highlight of the demo might have been its boldest—and weirdest—moment: a flashback to a first kiss. What starts out like a scene from a teen movie quickly turns into something far more interactive as the player controls each character’s tongue using the joysticks. It’s awkward, funny, and exactly the kind of creative risk that shows Mixtape isn’t afraid to get weird if it means delivering something memorable. By the time one of the characters simply says, “Okay, that’s enough,” the game has already made its point—it’s not here to romanticize teenage years, just to capture them honestly.

Why Mixtape Stood Out at Summer Game Fest

Nostalgia With a Pulse

If Mixtape feels like a playable playlist, that’s because it kind of is. Music drives much of the emotion and pacing, with each track tied closely to specific moments and memories. Whether it’s cruising down streets lit by a fading sun or messing around in a friend’s room, the soundtrack helps lock you into the time and place. It’s not just background noise—it’s the emotional engine of the entire experience.

The transitions between gameplay and cutscenes are smooth enough that it’s often hard to tell when one ends and the other begins, which only adds to the dreamlike, mixtape-style structure. One second you’re flipping through old photos, the next you’re headbanging in a fast-food drive-thru. It’s unpredictable in the best way.

One to Watch This Year

Mixtape doesn’t try to be the biggest game at the party, but it might just be the most personal. From its detailed environments and inventive mechanics to the way it captures the fleeting weirdness of teenage life, everything feels carefully crafted without overreaching. It’s a love letter to youth that doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, and it’s better for it.

Beethoven & Dinosaur has created something that feels fresh, funny, and sometimes surprisingly heartfelt. Based on this early look, Mixtape could easily be one of the standout indie releases of the year when it hits the Epic Games Store later in 2025. If the full game lives up to the promise of the demo, we’re in for something special—something worth remembering.