In People of Note from Iridium Studios and Annapurna Interactive, music is at the heart of everything: the dialogue, the characters, the game world and the turn-based battles, which are presented as interactive musical performances.
People of Note is a single-player music role-playing game set in the world of 'Note' - and yes, the game is full of puns and references to all kinds of things in the music world, including pop culture, bands and song lyrics. Players take on the role of pop singer Cadence, who was disqualified from the 'Noteworthy Song Contest'. In order to still be able to participate, she travels the world to recruit musicians from various genres, such as those from the rock city of Durandis, the EDM metropolis of Lumina or the rap kingdom of Pyre. Other cities and characters are also associated with specific music styles and genres, and these locations seem lively but rather straightforward. Meanwhile, Cadence and her band battle the Harmonic Convergence, a dark force threatening to destroy music itself. While the game often strikes a good balance between humour and emotion, it does feel a bit rushed and overloaded in some sections.
People of Note © Iridium Studios & Annapurna Interactive
Turn-based battles also use musical terms for their mechanics, as each battle is an interactive musical performance. Turns are referred to as 'stanzas', and a bar at the bottom of the screen shows the turn order. Rather than MP, the game uses Beat Points, which are built up during battle. Health (HP) is automatically restored after each battle. During a battle, the background music changes genre. Characters whose style matches the current genre receive bonuses to their abilities. Characters can take their actions in any order. Attack damage can be increased by pressing the buttons in time with the background music, i.e. by keeping to the rhythm, which is only a small aspect of combat. Additionally, combining the band members' musical styles can trigger powerful mashup special attacks.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that each character is adequately equipped with instruments, outfits and accessories, and that the Songstones have been levelled up. Similar to Materia in Final Fantasy VII, Songstones allow skills and weapons to be modified. Generally speaking, the equipment and character development aren't as in-depth as in other RPGs. However, the battles themselves are surprisingly compelling, as players must adapt their attacks, buffs and turn order according to the current musical style and the respective strengths of the characters. Experimentation is also rewarded.
People of Note © Iridium Studios & Annapurna Interactive
In addition to regular and special puzzle battles, which demonstrate the depth of the combat system, players can explore the world of Note, which, unlike other RPGs, is more compact and streamlined. The same applies to the game’s overall scope, but the pace is generally fast. With its fixed camera angles, the game is reminiscent of classics such as Final Fantasy VII and VIII. However, there are no random battles; instead, players can 'summon' new enemies when they need resources. Furthermore, the game offers a wide range of customisation options for gameplay. If the rhythm timing/QTE element isn't wanted, it can be turned off in the settings. It's also possible to lower (or eliminate) battle difficulty or turn off most of the puzzles, which is a good thing because the puzzles aren't the game's strong suit.
People of Note © Iridium Studios & Annapurna Interactive
The game was developed by Iridium Studios and published by Annapurna Interactive. The independent development studio is based in the United States and has nine employees. It has released two games: Before the Echo (formerly Sequence, 2011) and the real-time strategy game There Came an Echo (2015). People of Note is its third game. Before the Echo already combined elements of music and role-playing games. The publisher, Annapurna Interactive, is an independent, multi-platform media company and content studio, founded in 2016. Its portfolio includes Stray, Outer Wilds, Neon White, What Remains of Edith Finch, as well as the upcoming titles Mixtape, Silent Hill: Townfall, The Lost Wild, We Kill Monsters and more. The company is a division of Annapurna Pictures.
People of Note was released on 7 April for €23.99 on PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S.
People of Note is a tribute to the world of music. It is a charming, vibrant and creative role-playing game.
