People of Note Reviews
All said, even if we're not seeing the members of Cadence band blend their sounds together much in the story, we at least can see it happen during combat. And while that combat drags a bit in the last act of the game and messes with your mind by not matching the tempo of the quick-time inputs to the background battle music, the turn-based system that's there rewards creativity and strategic thinking.
People of Note is a great RPG in a charismatic world of music that plays with real-life aspects of genres and a huge ton of puns. With a deeply strategic system, the game lets players use a variety of abilities to come out on top. It’s remarkable in pretty much every aspect it brings to the table and a game worth exploring.
Still, overall, it’s a rock-solid, highly-enjoyable experience, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who likes good, ol’ fashioned turn-based combat and musical references. Also, if and when they release an official soundtrack, I will play it on loop until my speakers wear out. Especially the Irish battle music, that track is straight fire.
People of Note is a kind-hearted RPG with a deep affection for music. Its soundtrack won't resonate with everyone, but it's both deeply enjoyable and tight and focused, with a cast of likeable characters whose journey you'll want to see through.
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I know there have been other musical RPGs before, but People of Note still feels largely unique. I love how heavily it leans into its theme, and while I don't expect the YA vibes to resonate with everyone, I personally found myself invested in the release's cast and its brisk storyline.I think the battle system could have been further refined to feel more impactful and I would have liked to see it evolve faster. Furthermore, I'm not sure all of the environmental puzzles are as fun as the developer intended – although they can be disabled if you're not feeling them at all.Ultimately, if you're a fan of Final Fantasy and films like K-Pop Demon Hunters then you'll love what Iridium Studios has assembled here. It's a different kinda vibe, but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
People of Note is a beautiful musical RPG starring Pop, Rock, EDM, Rap, and Classical styles of music with countless others showcased throughout the adventure. From witty puns of your favorite bands, engaging combat and puzzles, and even full music videos from heroes, villains, and more--People of Note delivers an adventure unlike any other. Help Cadence and friends save the world and learn about musical genres and mash-ups along the way! If you studied music, teach music, make music, or simply love music, People of Note is an adventure across genres you'll undoubtedly love.
People of Note is a strong spiritual successor to the PS1 era of RPGs, while blazing its own path forward.
I ended my time with People of Note with a huge smile on my face, and if you fall into the specific Venn diagram of “turn-based RPG fan” and “musical fan”, then you probably will as well. The game’s music-infused combat system and world felt incredibly engaging and cohesive, with an elaborate, very fun combat system and an assortment of puzzles that are mostly challenging but fair. If you enjoy turn-based RPGs, People of Note is delightful and nails its particular medley of genres with excellence.
A genre-spanning world tour worth embarking on.
Cadence, Fret, and the rest of her band are not only interesting in their backgrounds, but unique in the ways that they sound and play. And if the idea of puzzles on top of all this dissuade you, they shouldn’t — each of these pillars can be dialled up or down to present a challenge that you can set for yourself.
Despite a few technical shortcomings, People of Note is a truly inventive game with a real sense of charm and a BANGING soundtrack.
It is also a great game just to play through. With a little over 20 hours of game time, it’s a solid experience with nothing feeling like it drags. Also, make sure to stay til the end of the credits. That end credits song is probably one of the best ways to get me to stay for your credits.
People of Note is an ambitious turn-based RPG which shines in many ways but ultimately fails to hit all of its high notes. While the soundtrack and turn-based combat are individually strong, there's a persistent disconnect between the gameplay experience and the power of song that the narrative is trying to sell you, leading to a weird sense of musical emptiness that undermines the core selling point of the game.
People of Note is a great-looking and sounding rhythm RPG. If you are a fan of making or playing music, there are so many references here to make you smile.
I wanna be under the lights...
Overall, People of Note is a fun and fluffy RPG. The plot isn't life-changing, but it's bolstered by a strong combat system, excellent music, and some surprisingly fun puzzles. The musical numbers may not work for everyone, but they gave it their best shot, and there's at least one song for everybody. People of Note isn't the first musical RPG, but it emphasizes that the two genres go together like peanut butter and jelly.
The few high notes aren't able to fully compensate for the safe storytelling and narrative design, and the combat waffles too much between tedious and novel. That said, I couldn't help but feel taken by the game's commitment to being a music-themed adventure; constant puns and shake-ups to the combat mechanics gave me a genuine sense of joy. There wasn't enough momentum, however, to sustain those positive vibes, and I was left wanting to just roll credits in double time rather than slowing down the beat and soaking it all in.
It is very rare to see a video game that gets everything right from start to finish, but People of Note definitely falls into this category. It starts off by hooking with flashy musical numbers and never lets go. Whenever Groove is being farmed to buy that latest guitar or triangulation puzzles are being solved, it is always optional and engaging. People of Note is the RPG that players need it to be. Some want a title that constantly makes them think, others want to enjoy a great story, and some want it all. This is one of those gems that will please almost every RPG fan. To add to this, it also has some of the most positive and inclusive writing seen in a video game. Every single element combines into a beautiful harmony, and, just as with music, one can enjoy it either by letting it flow or by analysing its depths.
People of Note is an incredibly stylish indie with the bones of a PS1-era RPG and it does a phenomenal job of pulling you into its imaginative music-filled game world as you gradually get the band together and proceed to make beautiful music in the heat of combat. 👩🎤