Mixtape Is the Best Game of 2026 So Far — Critics Agree

Every so often a game drops and absolutely floors everyone. Mixtape, the new music-driven narrative game from Annapurna Interactive and Australian studio Beethoven & Dinosaur, is that game for 2026. It landed May 7 and the reviews are something else.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Mixtape is sitting at 94% on OpenCritic across 18 reviews, and between 88 and 91 on Metacritic depending on the platform. IGN called it "one of 2026's very best games." Game Informer described it as "a greatest hits of gameplay, storytelling, music and animation."

Those aren't the kind of lines critics pull out for every indie release.

What Is It, Exactly?

You follow three teenagers on the night of their final high school party — one single, emotionally charged evening that serves as the whole backdrop of the game. Beethoven & Dinosaur previously made The Gardens Between, so they know how to pack serious feeling into a compact experience.

The real standout is the soundtrack. The game uses tracks by Joy Division, Devo, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Iggy Pop — not as background filler, but as an actual storytelling device. The music drives the mood, the pacing, and the meaning of what you're experiencing.

On Everything, Free on Game Pass

Mixtape is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can download it today at no extra cost — it's a day-one addition to the service.

For Annapurna Interactive, this is also a meaningful moment. The publisher went through a turbulent stretch in recent years, and a universally acclaimed release is a strong statement about why they matter in the indie space.

Is It Worth Your Time?

If you're into narrative games, music, and stories about the weird intensity of adolescence, this one is built for you. It's not a 40-hour RPG — the runtime is compact — but based on what critics are saying, it earns every minute.

A 94% critic score and day-one Game Pass availability make this a very easy recommendation. This is the kind of game people will still be talking about in December when the year-end lists come out.

Mixtape is available now on all major platforms. Game Pass subscribers can play it for free.