People of Note Reviews
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. đ©âđ€
People of Note remains quite intriguing, even with its flaws. People of Note is courageous enough to mix styles and ideas in a way that sets it apart from others. Even if it doesn't quite reach the mark, it's worth viewing because you can see a lot of work went into it.
People of Note does its best to bring something new to the RPG genre but the final result is decidedly mixed. The game's story is fantastic, but the gameplay is repetitive in places and the puzzles, while they can be rendered optional, are way more difficult than they need to be for a game of this type.
People of Note is one of those RPGs that stands out for its originality and freshness. It doesn't reach great depths, but it makes up for it with a dynamic combat system, outstanding dungeon design, and a musical score that fits perfectly. It might go unnoticed in a crowded month, but it's worth checking out if you're looking for something different within the genre.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
People of Note is a fresh take on the genre that features polished visuals and creative gameplay.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
People of Note is an example of how it's possible to innovate within a traditional genre without losing its essence.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
There is a lot of potential in People of Note, and that's why it's a shame that the quality of every individual element feels slightly better than average. Nothing is outright bad, but nothing is really great either. But: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For the right player, there is a lot here. If you enjoy musicals, Paper Mario-style turn-based combat, and female leads built around a classic "started from the bottom now we're here" rags-to-riches story, I'd absolutely recommend checking out People of Note.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
People of Note is a sweet love letter to both rhythm games and JRPGs. It finds a good balance between two types of game mechanics, creating a world where music, strategy, and story work well together.
Even though People of Note doesnât always find its rhythm, itâs still a decent turn-based RPG with a strong identity. The story and characters are likable and relatable, but the pacing rushes important beats and leaves some arcs feeling undercooked. Itâs consistently enjoyable, sure, just not as deep or as bold as it could have been, especially in its gameplay mechanics.
As a gaming experience and sensory stimulation, People of Note does get to satisfy; the real issue lies in the uninteresting, overlooked and empty story the gameplay tries to sustain. To Brazilian eyes, the text gets even worse with a just as poorly done localisation to our language. Those who wish to venture into Note and meet a genuinely well-crafted RPG will have to endure several issues.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
I should be much more excited about a game that pays homage to games and pop culture, but odd decisions here and there really keep me from wholeheartedly recommending People of Note. The music is great, and the game is pretty frictionless with everything it expects you to do. I really wish People of Noteâs verbosity were more focused on the story or even on helping me learn something about music, as this is a rich world with plenty of stories to tell. With the most egregious bugs fixed, I definitely think if youâre here for the journey of these musicians or are hankering for a strangely old-school turn-based RPG, making it to the very special end credits will be worth it.
People of Note is a great mash-up of the people behind music. Music may have divided the people of Note, yet it also slowly brings them all together for a brighter, more rockinâ future.
People of Note is a very good musical adventure that shines brightest through its lavish musical segments and tense boss battles.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
People of Note is a turn-based music RPG that combines Kpop Demon Hunters, Rock of Ages, Persona, Final Fantasy, and Expedition 33: an original and fun crossover, although it fails to rise to the ranks of the genre's great experimenters due to obvious structural and pacing limitations. Accompanying Cadence as she searches for her band members, we experience a fantasy adventure exploring different musical genres, including explosive duets, environmental puzzles, and mysterious characters. The graphic style and character designs are exquisite, as are the songs. The turn-based combat, however, is more based on numbers than on music and rhythm. The game has style, but it should be taken for what it is: an indie title that will allow you to while away several hours of fun without too many expectations.
Review in Italian | Read full review
People of Note earns its applause through sheer conviction. Its voice acting is excellent, its musical numbers genuinely memorable, and its combat has just enough tactical rhythm to keep things lively. What stops it from reaching higher is an RPG backbone that never feels quite as rich or rewarding as the show built around it.