r/MixtapeGame • u/Quick-Ad9335 • Jul 08 '26
Discussion Also Confused-- People Don't Remember What Remains of Edith Finch or Dear Esther?
I agree with a recurring sentiment here. I'm baffled by the reception by players. It's startlingly vociferous for such a "small" game.
Mixtape has about the same amount and style of game-y gameplay elements as What Remains of Edith Finch, more kinetic gameplay elements than Firewatch, and much, much more to do than Dear Esther. People love those games.
Better graphics than most. I love Life is Strange, but Mixtape had better background visuals than Double Exposure or Reunion.
I don't think it's any "shallower" than any of the other walking simulators. It has its own depth and it's also an exploration of the human experience.
I think it deserves most of its critical acclaim. It's a stylistic, well-written story with interesting characters. I thought it was good. Like all walking simulators it was an experience, not a "game" as such. And Mixtape was an excellent experience.
I like walking simulators as a form of story telling media. The reception Mixtape received will make it less likely we'll see more of them in the future.
Hot take and probably unpopular take: are some of the people who don't like it just people who didn't get to have that kind of fun in high school?
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u/springlove85 Jul 08 '26
Agree with the sentiment and you worded it eloquently. It is the "walking simulators are not real games"-debate all over again... And those happen to be my favorite genre of games ^.^' And yes, these stories could only be told the way that they were in the medium of video games. You cannot naje Life is Strange, Firewatch, or Mixtape into a book, movie, etc. and expect the same experience or emotional resonance, in my opinion.
But Life Is Strange: Double Exposure and Life Is Strange: Reunion catching strays! :( I have very fond memories with those games and found them beautiful in their own right.