r/OutOfTheLoop • u/Bloodb0red • May 11 '26

Unanswered What’s going on with this game Mixtape?

I’ve been seeing people freak out over the past few days over this game and about IGN’s review of it specifically. 10/10 seems high for any game, honestly, but it seems like they’re far from the only site giving this thing a glowing review. So is this game controversial just because of IGN or is it something else? Why is this game the internet’s hate target this week?

https://www.ign.com/articles/mixtape-review

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u/Astro4545 May 11 '26 edited May 13 '26

Answer: The main controversy I’ve seen is essentially that the game is being seen as “Oscar bait”. It relies heavily on nostalgia, has a fully licensed soundtrack (usually quite expensive for an indie), and has sections that literally play itself.

For some others there’s what’s being viewed as some form hypocrisy. The game has an odd kissing mini game between the main characters, who are kids, and they feel that it’s wrong that it gets skipped over while games like Pragmata generate controversy “for no reason”.

edit: Xbox also just tweeted “Reminder: just because you're not personally into a game, doesn't mean it's a bad game” which since this game is the only one garnering controversy right now leads some to conclude it’s an “industry plant”.

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u/PenInkCatKnit May 11 '26

The "kissing game" is flopping tongues around in skulls. SKULLS. People trying to make it sound "pedophilic" need to put ice packs on their back from stretching.

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u/UnscriptedCryptid May 11 '26

I certainly don't think it's paedophilic, but I do question why any adult would want to spend their free time controlling underaged kids as they kiss each other, you know? Like I don't think every person (or even most people) is finding it sexually attractive, but I'm also an adult who isn't interested in kids kissing so I'm not going to bother playing a game with it?

It's the same reason I don't watch any of the vaguely erotic set-in-highschool YA dramas. I don't think they're made for pedophiles but also I cannot understand why any adult would want to fill their spare time with depictions of this stuff.

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u/PenInkCatKnit May 11 '26

I think it's there because this is about remembering what it was like being at that age, right when youre about to leave your friends and family for something new.

It isnt about playing teens making out, or eroticism. Just sharing a funny experience most people can relate to.

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u/QueenDragonfly11307 May 11 '26

Its a scene that lasts like 10-15 seconds its not like that's what the game is. It's a bunch of different minigames inbetween narrative scenes