People of Note Review: A Beautiful Encounter Between RPG and Pop Music? Gameblog's Answer

In People of Note, a project co-produced by Iridium Studios and Annapurna Interactive, you play as Cadence, a somewhat ambitious pop singer who gathers a band of eccentric musicians with the avowed goal of conquering the top of the charts. This turn-based tactical RPG (tested by Gameblog on PS5) plays the card of fusing strategic combat with live musical performances to turn every battle into a genuine interactive concert.

The gameplay shows real originality, as the battles are organized like a musical set, including their variables, combat conditions, and mashup attacks blending genres. You can thus pair punchy jazz with explosive electro. The allies you recruit, whose styles are all distinctive (rock, classical, hip-hop), allow you to craft powerful combinations, while exploring Note, a world teeming with themed biomes, alternating puzzle dungeons and opportunistic environments. The good news, according to Gameblog's journalist, is that everything is freely customizable. Not a fan of puzzles? Feel free to disable them. Prefer real-time action to turn-based combat? Choose the real-time rhythm instead. This freedom makes the game accessible without sacrificing any depth.

The graphics on PS5 are particularly polished: pop colors, accomplished animations, and lighting effects that pulse like a tamagotchi to the beat. The sound, which has always been the title's strong suit, still amazes here in the form of a multigenerational soundtrack, with vocals that promise to make every battle vibrate like a live concert.

Expect around fifteen hours to complete the main story, with post-game content to fine-tune your lineup, making for a length we consider quite reasonable. While it doesn't revolutionize RPG mechanics, People of Note managed to win over Gameblog's journalist with its ability to surprise. It's certainly not a groundbreaking title, but an exceedingly fun experience as long as you're willing to embrace its novelty!