Video games seem vast because of the endless number of genres they can pull from. There’s no shortage of action or horror games, but other genres, like musicals, don’t get much attention. People of Note , a new game from Iridium Studios, embraces all forms of music and shows how good a video game musical can be.
While there are a few record scratches along the way, People of Note sings by being sincere and tongue-in-cheek. It’s a beautiful tribute to music as a whole, and it shows how vast the world of music can be.
People of Note Is More Than a Musical Tribute
People of Note centers on Cadence, who wants to become a pop star. Rather than going solo, she recruits performers from across the musical spectrum to compete in a big show for a shot at stardom. Because Cadence is pulling from such a wide range of styles, the result is a beautiful mix of pop, rock, EDM, rap, and more.
That ties neatly into the game’s main theme of exploring music outside one’s comfort zone. It’s not just about the songs themselves, but about understanding why people connect with styles beyond personal taste and how those styles are performed. Even so, the songs remain the main attraction of People of Note .
Among the game’s biggest highlights are its musical sequences. These are the only moments where the cutscenes are fully animated, and the visuals are marvelous. The songs also draw on classic musical theater conventions, including the “I want” song, as heard in Cadence’s “Under the Lights,” which has been stuck in my head since I previewed the game earlier this year.
Each number strikes a strong balance between advancing the story and standing on its own. Beyond the songs, People of Note is packed with references. Granted, many of these jokes are puns, so mileage may vary. Still, I’m a sucker for puns, and this game uses them in just the right amount.
People of Note’s Turn-Based Combat Has a Rhythmic Beat
People of Note uses a turn-based combat system. At its foundation, there’s nothing especially unusual about it, as it follows a structure familiar from many other games. Even the rhythmic meter that times out moves is a staple elsewhere. Still, the presentation of these battles fits perfectly with People of Note ‘s identity.
Combat is dictated by stanzas and bottom bars that telegraph enemy moves. That setup creates a good amount of strategy and makes battles a lot of fun. Once different stanza modifiers come into play, reaching victory becomes even more challenging.
Customization also gets creative through the different abilities that can be assigned to each party member. Much of the appeal comes from testing what works best in a particular battle. One issue, however, is that the repeated enemies in each area start to wear thin over time. Things only truly pick back up once the party reaches a boss fight.
The overlap between gamers and musical fans may be small, but those in that group will likely love People of Note . It succeeds as a fun game while also delivering engaging musical numbers that stick with players.Repetitive grunt battles and some camera issues do weigh the experience down, but they don’t spoil the overall production. People of Note still marches to the beat of its own drum, and the result is a game all music lovers should experience.
People of Note is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
This review was written with a PlayStation 5 review code of People of Note provided by Annapurna Interactive.
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