In the bustling world of indie gaming, a new title has emerged that blends rhythm and role-playing elements in a fresh take on the genre. People of Note, developed by Iridium Studios and published by Annapurna Interactive, has launched on multiple platforms, drawing praise for its relaxing yet engaging gameplay. The game, which follows the adventures of an aspiring pop singer named Cadence, became the unexpected highlight of one journalist's vacation, according to a detailed review published on The Verge.
The review, titled "There’s nothing like an RPG over vacation," recounts how the author selected People of Note from a shortlist of potential games to play during a break. "With a vacation comes a big choice: What game should I focus on during the trip?" the reviewer wrote. "I thought about grinding out the harder levels of Super Meat Boy 3D, but I was looking for something more chill. I could have dabbled more with Slay the Spire II, but I already know that’s a game I’ll be playing for a long time. I wanted something that I could really get lost in and finish in a little over a week." Ultimately, People of Note fit the bill perfectly, allowing the player to complete the 20-hour adventure just before returning to work.
At its core, People of Note is a music-themed RPG where players guide Cadence on a journey that begins with outshining a rival boy band but escalates into a world-saving quest. Cadence assembles a ragtag band of companions along the way, turning the narrative into a sprawling adventure infused with musical motifs. According to the review, "just about everything is about music in some way." Major characters feature fully animated musical numbers, game areas are themed around different genres, and dialogue is peppered with puns and terminology from the music world.
One standout example highlighted in the piece is a sign near a birdcage that reads “free bird,” a nod to the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song. While the reviewer noted that the constant music references can feel "a little overboard," they appreciated the developers' commitment to the theme. This immersive approach sets People of Note apart in the RPG landscape, where traditional fantasy elements are reimagined through a pop culture lens centered on music.
Gameplay in People of Note revolves around turn-based battles that incorporate rhythmic mechanics, making music not just a backdrop but a core mechanic. Battles are accompanied by "great tunes," the reviewer said, adding that they found themselves "constantly tapping my feet during fights." Players select moves and then time button presses to a closing ring indicator, reminiscent of the Nintendo DS game Elite Beat Agents, to maximize damage or health recovery.
After selecting a move, you’ll often have to time button presses well (indicated by a ring closing in on a circle, like in the Nintendo DS classic Elite Beat Agents) to hit for the most damage or recover the maximum amount of health.
Strategic depth comes from the ability to reorder party moves during a "stanza," with a musical staff at the screen's bottom revealing enemy plans and available actions. The reviewer described spending time "mentally mapping out the most effective way to buff my characters and dish out damage." Customization options include "songstones" and "remix stones," which function similarly to the Materia system in Final Fantasy VII, allowing players to assign moves and perks to characters.
Boss fights represent the pinnacle of the game's design, according to the review. They are calibrated to be challenging on the standard difficulty, often requiring just a tweak in strategy or a short grinding session to overcome. "More than once, I’d lose a boss fight with one or two turns until I would have won, meaning I could overcome them by switching up my songstones or taking a few minutes to grind another level," the author noted. Some bosses include clever references, such as a Dragon Ball-inspired character wielding a move called “Kamehayeehaw,” which the reviewer called "hilarious."
Despite its strengths, People of Note has some shortcomings. The game takes several hours for its full systems to unlock, potentially frustrating early players. Puzzles, while present, largely involve sequencing switches, which the reviewer found "tedious." The story follows a conventional RPG arc, leading the author to "mash through conversations" to return to exploration and combat.
The story is a pretty typical RPG journey, and I often mashed through conversations so I could get back to exploring and fighting.
These flaws did not detract significantly from the overall experience, especially in the context of a vacation unwind. The reviewer picked up their Steam Deck "every spare moment" to progress, finishing the game in about 20 hours. "Yes, it has a lot of familiar RPG tropes, but it condenses them into a manageable package," they concluded. "And as a way for me to unwind, People of Note hit the perfect tone."
Annapurna Interactive, known for publishing acclaimed titles like What Remains of Edith Finch and Outer Wilds, brings its reputation for artistic, narrative-driven games to People of Note. Iridium Studios, the developer, appears to be a newer entrant in the indie scene, focusing on innovative mechanics that blend genres. The game's release aligns with a growing trend in gaming toward hybrid experiences that incorporate rhythm elements, following successes like Crypt of the NecroDancer and Cadence of Hyrule.
Platform availability is broad, catering to a wide audience. People of Note is now playable on Nintendo Switch 2, PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This multi-platform launch, reported on The Verge, ensures accessibility for console and handheld gamers alike. The Steam Deck compatibility was particularly praised in the review, highlighting its portability for on-the-go play.
Cross-verification from additional summaries on The Verge reinforces the positive reception. One overview states, "People of Note, a new music-focused RPG from Annapurna Interactive and Iridium Studios, turned out to be exactly what I needed for a recent vacation." No conflicting reports emerged from available sources, suggesting a consistent narrative around the game's appeal as a relaxing yet strategic title.
The timing of the release comes amid a busy period for indie RPGs, with titles like Slay the Spire II also in development. For players seeking a complete experience without endless grinding, People of Note offers a self-contained story that can be enjoyed in a week or less. Its emphasis on music could attract fans of rhythm games looking to dip into RPG territory.
Looking ahead, the game's success may influence future projects from Iridium Studios, potentially expanding on the music-RPG fusion. Annapurna Interactive has not announced DLC or expansions yet, but the review's endorsement positions People of Note as a strong addition to 2023's indie lineup. Gamers interested in thematic depth and tactical battles have a new option to explore across major platforms.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, titles like People of Note demonstrate how niche themes can enhance traditional formulas. Whether battling bosses with a beat or assembling a band to save the world, the game provides an engaging escape, much like the vacation it accompanied for one reviewer.