Mixtape, the latest indie video game from Australian studio Beethoven and Dinosaur, is a nostalgic blast from the past. It's a narrative adventure game set in the fictional 90s American suburban town of Blue Moon Lagoon, following the story of Stacy Rockford, a teenage girl with big dreams. The game's soundtrack is a curated mixtape, featuring a mix of 80s and 90s US pop culture touchstones, including Roxy Music, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and the Jesus and Mary Chain. The opening track, Devo's 'That's Good', sets the tone for the entire project, with Galvatron, the game's creator, citing it as his favorite song for years. The game's narrative jumps between the mundane and the fantastical, offering a snapshot of late adolescence and the excesses of youth. Stacy's plan to move to New York is a central theme, reflecting Galvatron's own experiences and the band he once played in, the Galvatrons. The game's soundtrack also includes a disproportionate number of Australian tracks, adding a local flavor to the game's global appeal. Mixtape is a personal and reflective work, drawing on Galvatron's own musical history and the kids he used to see at gigs. It's a testament to the power of nostalgia and the enduring appeal of 80s and 90s pop culture, despite being made by a small team in Australia. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, and is sure to delight fans of indie games and retro pop culture alike.
