| Developer |
Iridium Studios |
People of Note Demo: A Quirky Musical RPG Hits a High Note on Personality, But Misses a Beat on Core Mechanics
At In Game News, we've had our hands on the demo for Iridium Studios' upcoming turn-based RPG, *People of Note*, and our initial impressions are a mixed bag of delightful absurdity and a few discordant notes. As veteran gamers, we appreciate a title willing to push boundaries, and *People of Note* certainly attempts to do so with its blend of musical theatre and RPG tropes.
Cadence's Quest: Fighting Musical Snobbery One Pun at a Time
The demo flung us into the second chapter, following protagonist Cadence as she ventures into the rock city of Durandis. Her mission? Recruit musicians for her fledgling band and, essentially, combat the entrenched musical snobbery permeating this vibrant, genre-divided world. From metalheads and punks to grunge aficionados, everyone seems to despise the country fans—and Cadence's pop sensibilities don't exactly endear her to the cliquey denizens either. Thankfully, she quickly finds an ally in Fret, an aging rocker, fusing their sounds and their forces.
The Good, The Bad, and The "Accorgion": Where People of Note Shines
Let's talk about the absolute standout: the sheer, unadulterated punnery. This demo is riddled with more groan-worthy (and therefore brilliant) puns than a convention full of DMs. The crowning glory has to be the "accorgion"—a corgi-accordion hybrid that is, without question, adorable and pet-able. Not petting it makes you a monster, frankly. Add to this the delightful "Weird Owls"—puns incarnate with moustaches and big hair, transforming battles into simple quizzes when found. It's this unique, self-aware charm that truly elevates *People of Note*'s personality.
Musical Combat: A Thematic Layer, Not a Mechanical Masterpiece
The core combat loop adheres to traditional turn-based RPG mechanics. Battles unfold in "stanzas," where characters primarily smack foes with instruments. Abilities spice things up with weaponized dances, riffs, and headbanging, adding a thematic flourish. There's even a "mash-up meter" that allows Cadence and Fret to unleash powerful special attacks, reminiscent of *Final Fantasy 7*'s synergies, sending enemies back to "music school." A nod to rhythm gameplay exists with timed QTEs for extra damage.
However, our take is that while the musical layer provides a fantastic aesthetic, it rarely translates into genuinely innovative mechanics. The system is solid, but it doesn't quite "amp things up" in a way that feels revolutionary or deeply integrated beyond surface-level themes.
The Soundtrack: Not Quite an Earworm (Mostly)
As veteran RPG players, we often judge a game by its soundtrack. Icons like *Final Fantasy 7*, *Persona 5*, *Blue Dragon*'s "Eternity," and *Baldur's Gate 3*'s Raphael theme set a high bar. Unfortunately, *People of Note* doesn't quite reach those symphonic heights. While not terrible, the general location and battle themes struggled to linger in our minds even immediately after playing.
The major exception? The rock-pop duet performed by Cadence and Fret. This cutscene is a vibrant, flashy detour featuring a deeply cheesy, yet undeniably catchy, earworm that perfectly encapsulates their combined vibes. It's a highlight that makes us wish the broader soundtrack had more of that infectious energy.
The Puzzles: A Terrible Crime and a Savvy Solution
Where *People of Note* truly started to lose its tempo for us was with its puzzles. The demo features a series of uninspired "light and mirror" style conundrums, rebranded as "strumming a guitar to power interactive dishes." These lacked any real cerebral challenge, feeling more like busywork than engaging gameplay. We had our fill after just one, only to be met with a frustrating sequence of more.
However, Iridium Studios has demonstrated a truly commendable understanding of player agency here. In a move we deem nothing short of brilliant, they've included options to **turn off both these puzzles AND the turn-based battles entirely**. This allows players to effectively transform *People of Note* into a narrative-driven adventure game if they prefer. It's a quality-of-life feature that ensures players can tailor the experience to their tastes, and for that, we give Iridium Studios a standing ovation. As for us, we'll probably be toggling off those puzzles and just soaking in those glorious puns.
