Mixtape; Ovehated piece of art! Now where's the gameplay?

[BrawlMan]

Nothing about a "fail state" or whatever.

I'm not sure you know since you are out of the game at the time during the six and seven generation, but a lot of haters where there's no fail state. They've been doing this since the 7th generation. The time were casual gaming was becoming more common.And you had the soul called hardcore throat fit that not every single game was kicking, you in the genitals. It's nothing more than a false equivalency.In a bull, they've been carrying because they have no talent, otherwise. Assuming they're even good at games in the first place.

Internet stupidity often amounts to dismissing parts of things. It's the tacos-are-a-sandwich argument, but not fun.

Even when it was fun, I never cared for it. It was called shut up and let me eat.

 

[FakeSympathy]

Okay.... maybe I was being a bit too dramatic when I said "I'd play David Cage games over this".

Hoenstly, story is better than most of David's games, but I think that's gonna be a bit subjective. Minus that weird kiss scene, everything else felt really well-written. But some might hate the idea of teen drama itself, and much rather be engaged in story involving a serial killer, androids developing human emotions, or a girl with the ability to communicate with a spirit.

IDK, I think the story reminded me of my own awkward teenage years, and all those fantasies I used to have for girls I used to have crushes on that I look back with max embarassment and cringe; Come on, we all had those days, let's be honest.

I still don't understand the appeal of the intentionally choppy framerate. I watched a video about it, but can't exactly remember the rationale.

I think perhaps they were trying to cash-in on Sony Animation styles of the spider-man movies and K-pop demon hunters. It might work really well as a movie, but as a video game it simply doesn't work.

Regarding whether Mixtape classifies as a "game", while technically there is some form of player-input, if majority of the game is sitting back and watching cutscenes, I'd rahter go watch an actual movie; At least with visual novel games, you have input on moving the dialog forward, response choices, and in cases like Type-Moon Fate series, control the ending of the game.

Both the critics and internet commenters are both blowing this out of proportion. No, it's not a 10/10 game, but it's also not an absolute dumpster fire. Has everyone on the internet forgotten how shitty Ride to Hell: Retribution was?

My final thought is that Mixtape is one of those media where you experience it once, but don't really need to go back to it. I am gonna try to see if I can get a refund; I had some fun, but don't really wanna do it again.

 

[BrawlMan]

hate the idea of teen drama itself, and

I don't hate teen dramas, but i'm not interested in them. If they're written well then, I usually have no issue. That said, I don't need action and suspense with death, 24/7 either. I don't mind playing games with calm moods and vibes.

Has everyone iin the internet forgotten how shitty Ride to Hell: Retribution was?

You know how these bitches act. Whenever it's something new, they don't like or they're really not into, they'll exaggerate just to stir up a few idiots and whatever gets them the clicks. I bet you most of them have already forgotten about Ride to Hell or don't know it at all, and only through osmosis.

Also, I've been looking at the game a bit more, and the animation does not bother me. It's a little bit less original, since we've already gotten more than a few films that have already done this, but i'm not gonna go into blind and raging hatred. At least it's good to look at.

 

[PsychedelicDiamond]

Also, what do you mean "Divide between critics and gamers"? It has 88% approval on steam and 85% on Metacritic. Critic and player feedback are pretty close to identical. There's much less of a divide between critical score and audience score than Crimson Desert, for example, has.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

Also, what do you mean "Divide between critics and gamers"? It has 88% approval on steam and 85% on Metacritic. Critic and player feedback are pretty close to identical. There's much less of a divide between critical score and audience score than Crimson Desert, for example, has.

It's this anger over IGN et al giving it 10/10. It's 2026 and we're still on about scores and false objectivity.
Mixtape really hit for some people. It's a game they'll remember. Those who like it freaking LOVE it. I mean, god forbid someone else get something out of a thing others don't.

It's telling how so many of the haters resort to talking about how much "content" there is, and dollar per hour, "product." It's so fucking depressing and soul-less. Imagine staking importance in like how to score a game- oh, it can't be a 10 because it doesn't have a fail state. Well I say it can be a 10 if it makes you feel something in this godawful shitworld.

 

[CriticalGaming]

Mixtape 10/10

Pragmata 7/10
Crimson Desert 7/10
Saros 7/10

If anything I think the controversy is just that IGN is a really fucking stupid website and their reviews are meaningless. There are literal lolcows that have better gaming takes than this "professional" gaming website.

At least Gamespot the other sell shitbag of a gaming website gave Pragmata a 9/10 and Mixtape also got a 9/10...and so did Saros...maybe they just like the number 9.

 

[Bedinsis]

Oh, discussion over story vs gameplay in the context of a new release. That old chestnut, forever evergreen.

And discussion over whether a release is overrated. those tend to come up every now and again.

I have no opinion other than saying: like what you like, dont let other people's opinion bother you. IGN's reviewer connected with the game, you might not, that is fine.

Also, @FakeSympathy ? You made a typo in the title of this thread: "ovehated" instead of "overhated".

 

[BrawlMan]

anything I think the controversy is just that IGN is a really fucking stupid website and their reviews are meaningless. There are literal lolcows that have better gaming takes than this "professional" gaming website.

Yet, some of those same "controversy" stirers go after more than just ign or anyone who has positive feelings on the game. No matter how large or small it is. I'm not defending IGN, but at this point just ignore them, if they bother you that much. I'm not referring to you directly, CriticalGaming. You as in the people who let it get your panties in a bunch, somebody like something you don't.

least Gamespot the other sell shitbag of a gaming website gave Pragmata a 9/10 and Mixtape also got a 9/10...and so did Saros...maybe they just like the number 9.

GameSpot ain't exactly better?And the fact that they gave all of them 9s, shows that they either are trying to please everybody or they got people pay attention to each of the games they're playing. You can take your pick, but them giving the scorings to these three don't bother me in the slightest. Ellen shows that there are only barely marginally better than IGN, but not worth the attention as a whole.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

On to much more important matters.

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/mixtape-is-at-the-center-of-another-tedious-culture-war-discourse-and-i-think-i-know-why/

"Mixtape is a videogame that'll either speak directly to your heart, or it'll clash with your lived experiences. There's an argument to be made that it's deliberately saccharine—a representation of a fantastical '90s suburban America so idealistic that it borders on, and could even be read as, a heartfelt parody."

On the one hand, the initial description ITT

a movie of teens living in the 90s, going on one last roadtrip together, coupled with awesome soundtracks.

does kind of make me want to play, but on the other hand I fear the above will apply. Not that my idea of 90s America will be particularly accurate.
I loved the film Dazed and Confused about an era I never experienced and I imagine similarly this will be for kids that think the 90s were really cool and wish they'd been born a few decades earlier.

 

[Chimpzy]

Ok, it's on pc game pass and I'm still on my free trial, so I'll go play it in a bit.

If by the end I'm not frothing in rage at how insulting to games it is, I'm gonna be so goddamn miffed.

 

[CriticalGaming]

Yet, some of those same "controversy" stirers go after more than just ign or anyone who has positive feelings on the game. No matter how large or small it is. I'm not defending IGN, but at this point just ignore them, if they bother you that much. I'm not referring to you directly, CriticalGaming. You as in the people who let it get your panties in a bunch, somebody like something you don't.

The reason why it's a problem is that like it or not IGN and Gamespot both are big gaming sites that a lot of people go to for reviews and advice on gaming. And the commoner casual isn't going to understand nauiance or preferences made by the website, they are going to take the site at face value and they're clearly steering people in the wrong direction when it comes to gaming choices.

And the problem is less about the actual score and more about the review itself. Nowhere in either IGN's or Gamespots review do they describe the actual gameplay, or lack thereof.

Here's a quote from the Gamespot review "As great as the game feels and sounds, it also looks exquisite. Built in Unreal, it takes advantage of the engine's impeccable lighting. Coated in a hyper-stylized cartoonishness, it still manages to give its characters the emotiveness their excellent performances deserve. This puts the game on full display, averting the all-too-common video game problem of a great story and performances let down somewhat by wooden character models."

Game feels? What does that mean? Ezekel posted a video of a "thrilling" sequence where the player literally didn't have to touch the controller. How is that gameplay?

Imagine being a casual gamer looking for an interesting new game to play, you see this game getting 10/10's, so you get it, only to find yourself watching a movie where you kind of walk around sometimes. Wouldn't you be pissed, especially when the reviews don't explain that?

 

[BrawlMan]

Mixtape is a videogame that'll either speak directly to your heart, or it'll clash with your lived experiences. There's an argument to be made that it's deliberately saccharine—a representation of a fantastical '90s suburban America so idealistic that it borders on, and could even be read as, a heartfelt parody."

On the one hand, the initial description ITT

I'll give it the p c gamer this time for not having their heads up their asses.

The reason why it's a problem is that like it or not IGN and Gamespot both are big gaming sites that a lot of people go to for reviews and advice on gaming. And the commoner casual isn't going to understand nauiance or preferences made by the website, they are going to take the site at face value and they're clearly steering people in the wrong direction when it comes to gaming choices.

And the problem is less about the actual score and more about the review itself. Nowhere in either IGN's or Gamespots review do they describe the actual gameplay, or lack thereof.

None of this is really new, and it hasn't stopped a game from selling well when either these review sites, give certain games a bad score. IGN gave games like SOT4, Double Dragon Gaiden & Neon, either mediocre or super low scores.Yet, these games resonated with a majority of gamers and sold great. Some of them might have back pedal, but they tried to act as if their opinion is fact.

Imagine being a casual gamer looking for an interesting new game to play, you see this game getting 10/10's, so you get it, only to find yourself watching a movie where you kind of walk around sometimes. Wouldn't you be pissed, especially when the reviews don't explain that?

That's why it's important to do your research and look at more than just the one person with reason. No, i've met more than a few casual gamers who just want it.A fun game that doesn't require much or they're heavily invested with the story, and characters. That's not exclusive to the casual gamers. My brother loves traditional games.But he has no problem with story driven games with choices, or that are basically glorified visual novels. He picks and chooses, but he usually goes off on his own, and decides for himself, what's good, and what's not. When it comes to these type of games, he doesn't even bother with most review sites. He's just ready to have fun and move on to the next thing.

 

[CriticalGaming]

That's why it's important to do your research and look at more than just the one person with reason.

reading reviews IS the research dude. How many reviews does someone have to read? IGN and Gamespot, maybe they look at other scores on metacritic or something.

Remember this is a casual person, the definition of casual is not doing research for a fucking video game.

That's entirely my point. Some casual looks at Ign or Gamespot because those are the biggest sites, sees the review and the score, gets the game and doesn't get what either site pretends the game is. That is a PROBLEM.

My brother loves traditional games.

Your brother also has the advantage of being able to ask you. And you have knowledge he doesn't and he'll trust you to guide him without needing to look at reviews. I can say the same thing for my brother-in-law who asks me for recommendations all the time, and I use my experience and knowledge to guide him to shit I know he'll like. But not everyone has that benefit.

IGN and Gamespot do disservice to people when they review games like this because they care more about pushing their ideas over being reasonably objective with their reviews. IGN specifically has been known to have bad reviews on their site because they gave the game to a reviewer who doesn't like the kind of game they were told to review. Not to mention all their plagerism issues.

 

[Old_Hunter_77]

> Nowhere in either IGN's or Gamespots review do they describe the actual gameplay, or lack thereof.

Mixtape Review

There’s no interest in fail states or high score chasing here, instead prioritising existing in and enjoying the moment. Its simple mechanics match its simpler times, with each twist aiming to elicit a fresh emotion through interactivity in a way that only video games can. That can be as simple as hitting a series of buttons to headbang in rhythm to Silverchair’s “Freak” blasting out of a car radio or designing your own slushies from a selection of flavours. Some, though, are a little more out there, such as the recollection of Rockford’s first kiss, where you take control of a pair of tongues (one on each analog stick) and awkwardly navigate some brace-caged teeth. That an option to press a button labeled “That’s Enough” almost immediately popped on screen is a very funny, and merciful, touch.

The rest of the review is framed with extreme subjectivity, making it clear that the reviewer's 10 rating is related to his tastes.

I know we're supposed to hate IGN and pretend to care about "ethics in games journalism but ffs it's not their fault if people can't or don't wanna read.

> Imagine being a casual gamer looking for an interesting new game to play, you see this game getting 10/10's, so you get it, only to find yourself watching a movie where you kind of walk around sometimes. Wouldn't you be pissed, especially when the reviews don't explain that?

Find someone like that and share their experiences. The poor poor gamer being duped by game reviews.

 

[CriticalGaming]

Find someone like that and share their experiences. The poor poor gamer being duped by game reviews.

The casual isn't going to post about it online or anything. That's the nature of the casual....they'll either refund it or just never finish it and be annoyed.

I did miss that part in the IGN review admittedly because I tried to read both reviews quickly, though I would argue it's still a fairly poor description and doesn't really indicate that the game is mostly watching a story, and implies there is more gameplay than there actually is.

 

[BrawlMan]

reading reviews IS the research dude. How many reviews does someone have to read? IGN and Gamespot, maybe they look at other scores on metacritic or something.

By research, I mean at least more than just two reviews. If they're not that sure about it. I can't predict every single person, but that's life. People liking this game aint gonna be the end of the world. Like FS said, it's neither the perfect game nor the worst game of all time. Yes, casuals don't always do the research, but they gotta learn at some point.

Some casual looks at Ign or Gamespot because those are the biggest sites, sees the review and the score, gets the game and doesn't get what either site pretends the game is. That is a PROBLEM.

Once again, that's always been a problem, and you're saying nothing new. Again, these two trashed games with poor scores, and many of these games sold fine or greater than expected. So they're not as hot shit as they think they are.

The casual isn't going to post about it online or anything. That's the nature of the casual....they'll either refund it or just never finish it and be annoyed.

I wouldn't say never. They post them from time to time.

Your brother also has the advantage of being able to ask you. And you have knowledge he doesn't and he'll trust you to guide him without needing to look at reviews. I can say the same thing for my brother-in-law who asks me for recommendations all the time, and I use my experience and knowledge to guide him to shit I know he'll like. But not everyone has that benefit.

While true, he mostly does his own research, and can decide for himself. He only needs me when it's something really major or he's in the dark about.

IGN and Gamespot do disservice to people when they review games like this because they care more about pushing their ideas over being reasonably objective with their reviews. IGN specifically has been known to have bad reviews on their site because they gave the game to a reviewer who doesn't like the kind of game they were told to review. Not to mention all their plagerism issues.

No shit. Why do you think I dropped both in their respective years of 2006 and 2007 respectively? More so IGN, but I was already getting sick of their shit, even during my freshman year in high school. If you ever noticed, most people don't even take either seriously anymore. You're always gonna have your unawares, but again, them praising this game is not gonna be the end of the world. The results have already spoke for themselves, and the ratio is positively even for the most part. I may not like these review sides, but I still see anything worth getting angry about nor crying in this case.

 

[Bedinsis]

And the problem is less about the actual score and more about the review itself. Nowhere in either IGN's or Gamespots review do they describe the actual gameplay, or lack thereof.

You missed a paragraph:

Each of these flashback moments is given relatively light gameplay mechanics, often bespoke for just a singular sequence and then quickly disposed of. Like the studio's previous game, The Artful Escape, Mixtape isn't meant to challenge most players on the sticks. Though occasional fail states exist, like if you crash into a car on your skateboard, there's no penalty for messing up. It just rewinds instantly and resumes. This is a game that uses the language of games to tell its story, not test you. And thanks to the story perfectly marrying a killer soundtrack and clever mechanics together, it hits just right.

 

[CriticalGaming]

You missed a paragraph:

Light gameplay mechanics hard describes the way the game is played.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

Having seen the mixtape playlist my slight interest has evaporated I'm afraid.

Still, like a lot of indieish games that I have no interest in playing, I'm glad it exists and people will enjoy playing it.

 

[Bedinsis]

Light gameplay mechanics hard describes the way the game is played.

Hence why the rest of the sentence specifies that it is often bespoke to singular sequences, indicating that the there really isn't any primary gameplay loop, further highlighted later in the quoted paragraph where they say that the gameplay's purpose is to use the language of games to tell its story, not test you.

How do you describe a game's gameplay if it lacks a primary gameplay loop? I mean later on they say that they classify it as an adventure game due to its approach to gameplay. " a game where the rules of establishing and then iterating on gameplay don't apply. "