It’s already remarkable that someone created a musical video game, but People of Notes takes it a step further by blending many different types of music. Good news for players: you can experience it soon! The game launches on April 7th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC.
People of Note’s Turn-Based Combat Has a Musical Twist
People of Note is a game about a singer named Cadence who, after being turned down for a concert, decides to form a band. She travels around looking for musicians from various genres to join her and help her achieve success. The game offers a fresh take on classic turn-based RPGs, and cleverly integrates music into its battle system.
Okay, so in People of Note, each round is called a stanza, and that’s where all the action happens – attacking, defending, using special abilities, the whole nine yards. What I really like is how your characters’ music preferences can actually make them better in certain stanzas! I met Fret pretty early on, and he’s a rocker who joined my team. As you add more characters to your party, the combat gets more complex and interesting, which is awesome.
During combat, the music will dynamically change styles. When the music switches to hard rock, Fret will gain an advantage and can inflict extra damage if he times his attacks correctly. Players need to pay close attention to the music, as it can change unexpectedly during battle. We adjusted how this system works based on early feedback, and adding more music genres will make combat even more strategic and engaging.
The combat in People of Note has a rhythmic component that players who enjoy games like Hi-Fi Rush will appreciate. By timing attacks to the beat, players can deal more damage. It’s a system that’s easy to pick up for anyone familiar with rhythm-based games.
People of Note Is a Love Letter to Music
It’s obvious the creators of People of Note truly love music, and that passion shines through in the game’s fantastic soundtrack. We were particularly impressed by a memorable duet between the characters Fret and Cadence – it was both catchy and surprisingly emotional, giving us goosebumps during the preview.
Okay, I’ve heard a sneak peek of the People of Note soundtrack, and honestly, I’m super hyped to hear the whole thing! If the rest of the music is as good as that first track, I’m already predicting this game will definitely get a Best Music nomination at The Game Awards. Seriously, it’s that good.
Music is central to everything in this game – the story, the characters, and even how you play. It’s full of clever musical jokes, and while some players might find it a bit much, it’s all done with a lighthearted spirit and really adds to the game’s appeal.
The game isn’t just aurally appealing with its music; it’s visually striking too, using bright, vibrant colors. Even the desert sections of Rock City of Durandis, which we got a good look at during the preview, are full of beautiful neon. Anyone familiar with People of Note would immediately recognize the inspiration, and that’s a real testament to the game’s artistic style.
If the rest of the game is as good as what we’ve seen so far, People of Note has a real chance of being one of the best indie games of the year. If you enjoy turn-based RPGs or rhythm games, you’ll want to add this one to your wishlist.
People of Note releases on April 7, 2026.
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2026-02-20 02:41