Why Are People Complaining That 'Mixtape' Plays Itself? The Backlash Towards The Viral '80s Movie-Inspired Video Game Explained

May 15, 2026 - 18:01

The video game "Mixtape," a nostalgic, John Hughes-inspired interactive story set to an 80s soundtrack, has been earning perfect review scores from many major game journalists. But a growing number of players are pushing back, calling it overrated and questioning whether it qualifies as a video game at all.

The core of the complaint is that "Mixtape" offers very little traditional gameplay. Players describe it as a "walking simulator" where the main interaction involves moving a character through a high school hallway while a curated playlist of 80s hits plays in the background. Critics praise the game's emotional writing and authentic atmosphere. However, many gamers argue that the experience is passive. They say the game essentially plays itself, requiring the player only to push forward on the joystick to trigger the next cutscene or song.

The backlash has become a flashpoint in a larger debate about what defines a video game. Supporters of "Mixtape" argue that narrative and atmosphere are valid forms of interactive entertainment. Detractors counter that calling a linear, cinematic experience a "game" is misleading, especially when it costs the same as titles with complex mechanics. The divide highlights a growing tension between critics who value artistic storytelling and a player base that demands agency and challenge. For now, "Mixtape" sits at the center of this argument, beloved by some and dismissed by others as a movie masquerading as a game.