Why Mixtape isn't hitting the marks with gamers, it isn't exactly what you think.
A lot of people online have their own takes about Mixtape. Many of em focus on the fact that it's barely a game, it has errors that someone from the 90s would know (cassette scene), it's IGN score or the fact that it was Published by the Daughter of Larry Ellison the 5th richest man in the world and big IDF supporter. While all those views are valid, as someone who actually took the time to play the game I can say that there's a major reason why.
As a game sold on Nostalgia, or more exactly 90s Nostalgia. I can tell you that as someone who grew up in the 90s I can tell you that the game does not feel like a 90s game. It feels incredibly modern. It feels like someone who didn't grew up in the 90s think the 90s is. The vibe of the game is all wrong.
The 90s was the time of grunge, gangsta rap, Pro Wrestling with Attitude, Jerry Springer, X-Games, Gaming Console Wars, POKÉMON, to name a few. It was an era that was edgy and in your face. In order to be seen as cool you had to have an attitude.
This game on the other hand feels very 2020s. It is very safe. It touched upon themes that are expected from something made in the 2020s. There's no edge to it. As a 90s kid, nothing on the game feels nostalgic at all.
There's no watching pro wrestling with the boys every Monday night. Playing Tony Hawk, Goldeneye or WCW Revenge on the n64. No Watching South Park tapes after school or fights over Pokemon Cards.
Some people are even calling the game Millenial Slop but as a Millenial I can say that the 90s was not like this at all. And it's a shame because I would have love a game that covers the actual 90s experience many of us had growing up.