On May 7, 2026, just before the weekend, a little game called Mixtape that was revealed nearly one year ago was released. Normally, smaller titles like this go unnoticed or receive only minimal attention, and they often fade into obscurity without much discussion. If you thought that was how this title would go, you’d be mistaken, as many are torn on whether Mixtape should even be called a game. This is thanks to an extremely short runtime and an amount of handholding that would make a helicopter parent proud. This has caused a major rift in the gaming community, as there are many critics giving the game a perfect score.
Mixtape Receives Heavy Criticism Despite Glowing Reviews
Mixtape received glowing reviews from critics, with many of them giving the game a perfect or near-perfect score. With 9’s and 10’s across the board, you’d think this game wouldn’t be controversial, but the internet has a way of turning everything into a controversy.
Numerous gamers downloaded Mixtape over the weekend, and many praised the game for its unique style, fun storytelling, and nostalgic 90s compilation. On top of this, the game has some pretty awesome music. However, a large swath of people have major criticisms about the game, which include:
- The game can be completed within a two to three-hour window.
- There are massive amounts of handholding, which take away from the gameplay.
There are some other complaints, but these two are the biggest. The handholding in the game is best summed up in a video posted to X by user Christina Tasty. In the post, she says that the video is why she “hates Mixtap.”
In the video, Christina explains that large parts of the game can be completed by sitting back and watching the screen rather than interacting with anything. This is showcased through multiple areas where button prompts appear, but doing nothing doesn’t change the outcome. The character reaches the end with no drawbacks. Many have equated this to making the game feel more like a movie than a game.
The other major point, the game’s runtime, is something that many are mixed about. Some are on the side that the runtime is okay, as the game is designed to run for the length of a mixtape, usually 90 minutes. It is important to point out that various games over the years have had shorter runtimes. This includes games like Stray and even triple-A titles like Resident Evil Requiem, which can be completed within three hours.
