People of Note Review: A Vibrant Musical RPG That Occasionally Hits a Sour Note
The Rhythm of Ambition
After an 11-year hiatus following their first two projects, Iridium Studios has returned to the spotlight with People of Note. Published by the indie powerhouse Annapurna Interactive, this ambitious title aims to blend the strategic depth of a traditional RPG with a vivid, music-centric world. While it generated significant buzz during the Steam Next Fest, the final product on PS5 presents a fascinating contrast between artistic brilliance and mechanical inconsistency.
A World Defined by Sound
The narrative centers on Cadence, an aspiring pop singer with dreams of conquering ‘Notovision’—a singing competition reminiscent of Eurovision. Lacking the specific ‘sound’ needed to win, Cadence embarks on a journey across a continent where geography is defined by musical genres. Each nation is an emblem of a specific style, from the grit of grunge to the precision of classical music.
While the plot follows a relatively predictable arc—an underdog meeting eclectic strangers to fulfill a greater destiny—the game handles its simplicity with charm. Iridium Studios frequently breaks the fourth wall with meta-commentary, acknowledging the tropes of the genre. The true strength of the story lies in its cast. Characters like the antisocial electro-artist or the anticonformist rocker are built on archetypes, but they are brought to life by charismatic voice acting and genuine interpersonal conflicts involving themes of duty and addiction.
Combat: Strategy Over Rhythm
Despite the ‘musical RPG’ label, People of Note is not a rhythm game in the vein of Crypt of the Necrodancer. Instead, it is a turn-based strategic experience closer to the classic Final Fantasy series. Combat is managed through action points, where players must balance direct attacks, defensive buffs, and recovery turns.
As the journey progresses, the gameplay evolves through ‘Mashups’—combined attacks between party members—and a genre-buff system. Each turn is associated with a specific musical style, granting temporary bonuses to characters aligned with that genre. While the strategic layering is promising, the game occasionally fails to push these ideas to their full potential. For instance, the Quick Time Events (QTEs) used to modulate damage feel like a superficial addition rather than a core rhythm mechanic.
Exploration and Pacing Hurdles
The world of Note is explored via an isometric 2D perspective, divided into districts filled with shops, hidden treasures, and eccentric NPCs. The game rewards curiosity, allowing players to trigger random encounters to grind levels and find stat-boosting accessories. However, this flow is frequently interrupted by environmental puzzles. These segments often feel sluggish and disconnected from the rest of the experience, dragging down the pace of what is otherwise a ‘lite-RPG’.
Visual and Auditory Masterclass
Where People of Note truly sings is in its presentation. The art direction is a triumph of harmony and color, blending isometric exploration with 3D combat and visual-novel style dialogue. The soundtrack is a flawless achievement, seamlessly transitioning between pop, rock, rap, and Celtic music to give every region a distinct sonic identity.
The technical execution on PS5 is polished and bug-free, complemented by an exceptional English voice cast featuring veterans like Heather Gonzalez and Erika Ishii. Additionally, the localization is top-tier, filled with clever references to international music icons that add a layer of wit to the comedy.
Final Verdict
People of Note is a gorgeous, atmospheric journey that proves Iridium Studios has immense creative vision. While it struggles with some repetitive combat encounters and tedious puzzles, its artistic soul is undeniable. It is a colorful, melodic experience that, despite a few missed notes, remains a captivating addition to the indie RPG landscape.
