Iridium Studios’s People of Note is a nuanced turn-based RPG but a forgettable musical. Set in the land of Note, whose diverse cultures are themed after genres of music, the game follows Cadence, a singer in search of a band. As she assembles an eclectic ensemble, their journey is punctuated by performances of original songs. These numbers, which play out in unimaginative music videos and feature joltingly stilted lyrics, will neither buzz around your mind nor urge you, in their aftermath, to hum them aloud. (The primary exception, courtesy of a crew of himbos, earns laughs by leaning into exaggeration and clichés.)
Despite a smattering of charming characters, People of Note’s narrative fares little better than its soundtrack. Cadence and her companions face skepticism, as well as more fist-forward opposition, from traditionalists who reject the group’s mix of pop, rock, EDM, and rap. (Their shtick, familiar enough in our world, is novel alchemy in Note). But while the game argues for the value of art that pushes boundaries, it’s too saccharine and neatly didactic to actually say anything new or remotely uncomfortable. The party believes that their work is a matter of life and death, but when so many central conflicts culminate in unbelievable truces—when the heroes face no real danger and the villains so frequently get off scot-free—what’s really at stake?
Tune out the not-quite showstoppers and the squeaky-clean plotting, though, and the game proves rather charming. Note is crafted with a puckish sense of humor; rare is the location, person, critter, or item not named with a musical pun. The wordplay is executed creatively enough, and the game’s runtime is sufficiently tight, to keep the humor fresh through the end. The enemies are particular standouts, in monikers and art design: When exploring the “Wood Winds” forest, home to herds of “stagpipes,” I encountered a winged and stringed beast, and checked its name with excitement. What a delight to learn it was a “harpy.”
The combat, with its winsome presentation and dynamic systems, also keeps pace. Characters nod their heads and bop to the battle theme, while timed inputs empower skills and get your feet tapping. Rounds intermittently highlight a specific music genre, which has both aesthetic and mechanical implications: During a rock-oriented round, for example, the background music swells with electric guitar, and aging metalhead Fret, Cadence’s first recruit, unleashes riffs with amped-up verve. Select the hard mode, whose sharp-toothed bosses demand careful anticipation of upcoming shifts, and People of Note will make a maestro of you.
This game was reviewed with a code provided by Tara Bruno PR.
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Agree with pretty much everything ya said except about the music. Was legit surprised how catchy the songs are… Cliche as they may be, they hit those feels the way ya’d want in a game like this. That “Under the Lights” might as well be from K-Pop Demon Hunters, (which is not something I thought I’d ever say in a complimentary way until my daughter made me actually watch it,) & their hit song has been TOP40 on the radio for over 6mos now…. The songs in this are undeniably catchy, and fit the tone perfectly. I’m only halfway thru the game but it’s a little indie gem.