Video games offer a huge range of experiences thanks to the many different genres available. While action and horror games are common, some genres, like musicals, are rarely explored. The new game People of Note from Iridium Studios breaks this mold, showcasing the potential of a video game musical and celebrating all kinds of music.
Despite a few minor flaws, People of Note is a charming and honest celebration of music. It really highlights just how diverse and expansive the world of music truly is.
People of Note Is More Than a Musical Tribute
People of Note follows Cadence as she pursues her dream of becoming a pop star. Instead of launching a solo career, she organizes a competition featuring diverse performers, hoping to find a standout act to share the spotlight. This blend of musical styles – including pop, rock, EDM, and rap – creates a vibrant and exciting sound.
This idea connects perfectly with the game’s central theme: discovering music you wouldn’t normally choose. It’s not simply about listening to the songs, but about understanding why people enjoy different genres and how those genres are played. Ultimately, though, the songs themselves are what make People of Note so appealing.
One of the game’s best features is its musical sequences. These are the only parts with full animation, and they look fantastic. The songs themselves are reminiscent of classic musical theater, using familiar tropes like the ‘I want’ song – Cadence’s ‘Under the Lights’ is a great example and has been playing in my head ever since I heard it.
Every track in this game both moves the story forward and feels complete on its own. Beyond the music, People of Note is full of clever references and jokes. While a lot of the humor relies on puns – which some people love more than others – I personally think the game uses them perfectly.
People of Note’s Turn-Based Combat Has a Rhythmic Beat
People of Note features turn-based combat, which isn’t particularly groundbreaking – it’s similar to many other games, even down to the timing of moves. However, the way these battles look and feel really enhances the game’s unique style.
Battles happen in rounds, and visual cues at the bottom of the screen show you what enemies are planning. This system adds a layer of strategy and makes fights really enjoyable. As you encounter different variations in these cues, winning becomes increasingly difficult.
The game lets you personalize your team by assigning different abilities to each member, and a big part of the fun is figuring out the best combinations for each fight. However, fighting the same enemies repeatedly in each area can become a bit monotonous, and the game really shines when you finally reach a boss battle.
People of Note is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
This review was based on a PlayStation 5 code for People of Note, which Annapurna Interactive provided.
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2026-04-08 02:14