Mixtape, the new music-infused teen adventure from one of the greatest indie publishers, Annapurna Interactive, launches later this year on Xbox Series X/S (including Xbox Game Pass), PlayStation 5 and PC.
Developed by Beethoven and Dinosaur – known for creating the BAFTA award-winning delight, The Artful Escape (which features below) – Mixtape is a high school tale of three friends who, on their last night together, set off on one final adventure with some big tunes.
Amplified by an absolutely excellent soundtrack with the likes of The Cure, Iggy Pop and Joy Division, we will be treated to a music feast when the stop-motion title launches. Skateboarding, toilet papering houses and putting on a fireworks show from the backseat of a car, players will relive childhoods of the 90s in this title with a gorgeous art style.
As we await a release date, what other teen adventure games are great to play before Mixtape? Here are five games to get stuck into.
Life is Strange
The Life is Strange series has had its ups and downs, though there’s little more iconic than the original (even if 2 is the greatest). Aspiring photographer and protagonist of the first game, Max Caulfield is a contemporary teenager. Even 10 years after the original 2015 release, Max’s characteristics ring true of a modern coming-of-age ‘high schooler’.
Max returned in the most recent Life is Strange, Double Exposure. But if you’re looking for an unmissable entry to a great franchise, be sure to find the origina, which is regularly on sale. It’s worth noting that the Remastered Collection, featuring Life is Strange and its standalone prequel, Before the Storm, is regarded as a very poor upgrade – so get the original for cheaper.
Life is Strange also has a great soundtrack, featuring well-suited beats that capture the adolescent mood of the high school setting with artists including José González.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3 / 4, Xbox 360 / One, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
What Remains of Edith Finch
Giant Sparrow’s 2017 release is one of the modern great indies. Award-winning, captivating and downright upsetting, the short adventure to understand what happened to the Finch family is harrowing.
Without getting into spoiler territory, each room of Edith’s sprawling and surreal family manor will leave you sharing her sense of loss long after you finish the game. Seventeen-year-old Edith’s exploration of her supposed family curse is one you should approach with a handkerchief nearby.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 / 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS
Gone Home
With a lot of similarities to What Remains of Edith Finch, Fullbright’s 2013 release, Gone Home, took the gaming world by storm when it was released. College student Kaitlin returns home after a year abroad to find the house exactly the same as when she left it. The lights are on, but is there anyone home?
On my first playthrough, as I entered the house for the first time an intense feeling of dread came over me. That feeling only the most abandoned of places can give. Is there someone in this house with me? Will I find remains in my parents’ bed? Did aliens take them?
With a soundtrack that captures the eerie mystique of the house itself, it’s hard to escape the feel of someone about to imminently place a hand on your shoulder. As much an experience as a game in itself, Gone Home leaves you guessing from start to finish and is a short adventure that everyone should play.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS
Oxenfree
Less high school, more supernatural Lord of the Flies, 2016’s Oxenfree tells a mind-bending tale of Alex and other teens lost on a local island where things are getting weirder at a rapid pace.
Like Life is Strange, Oxenfree features branching and impactful dialogue choices. With multiple playthroughs required for the game’s several endings, there’s a lot of replayability in this one.
Oxenfree received a sequel in 2023, Lost Signals. A TV or film adaptation of Oxenfree is also in the works at Netflix after they acquired developer Night School Studio in 2021.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Netflix
The Artful Escape
Mixtape developer’s previous title, 2021 release The Artful Escape, tells a wonderful tale of teenage guitar wannabe, Francis Vendetti. Francis lives in the legendary musical shadow of his late uncle and sets out on a psychedelic, colourful adventure that is simply, as the game’s title says, Art.
Armed with a guitar, you will shred and riff your way through one hell of a rocking journey. Like Mixtape, music is everything to The Artful Escape. The finale of the game is one of my favourite set pieces in the last few years and must be played. LOUD.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 / 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Whilst we wait for a release date for Mixtape, these are five great teen adventure games with great soundtracks to get your teeth into. With only a couple of months till Christmas, it’s likely we will see a release date soon.
What other teen games would you recommend ahead of Mixtape? Come and join the active and friendly Gamer Social Club Discord to chat about Mixtape and all your other favourite games.
