William Shakespeare famously mused that “all the world’s a stage,” but in the upcoming RPG People of Note, that stage is a literal battlefield where the performers are armed to the teeth. Developed by Iridium Studios and published by Annapurna Interactive, this turn-based adventure was colorfully described at the Tokyo Game Show as a cross between Clair Obscur and K-Pop Demon Hunters. A recent hands-on preview and digital showcase have provided a deeper look at the harmonic chaos this title promises to deliver later this year.
The creative vision is spearheaded by Jason Wishnov, a self-identified “theater kid” whose portfolio includes There Came an Echo and voice work for the Danganronpa franchise. Wishnov cites Final Fantasy 9 as the primary mechanical inspiration, though the soul of the project is rooted in music. He characterizes the game as a “musical odyssey” centered on the search for artistic identity, featuring elaborate, Disney-esque musical numbers where the narrative unfolds through song.
The story follows Cadence—voiced by Heather Gonzalez, known for her role as Mineru in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity—a pop sensation seeking a fresh sound after being barred from the prestigious Noteworthy Song Contest. The preview focused on the game’s second chapter, which finds Cadence arriving in Durandis, a gritty industrial hub dedicated to the power of rock n’ roll.
In the world of Note, “musical beef” is a tangible conflict, with various factions vying to prove their genre’s supremacy. Upon entering the arid outskirts of Durandis, players immediately witness the tension as a punk band is harassed for attempting to play in the heavily-guarded Metal District.
Despite the territorial friction, the world is brimming with charm and discovery. The environment is peppered with hidden treasures and NPCs with amusingly literal titles, such as a library patron simply labeled “Guy who reads a lot.” The standout discovery, however, is the “accorgion”—a whimsical hybrid of a corgi and an accordion that players can interact with throughout their journey.
The primary antagonists in this region are Homestead, a country-inspired collective whose pursuit of a mysterious key has led to widespread social unrest. Their goal is tied to the “Harmonic Convergence,” an event the official website suggests is wreaking havoc on the planet’s musical equilibrium.
Central to the plot is Fret, a reclusive rock icon voiced and composed by Jason Charles Miller of the band Godhead. Fret is haunted by a bitter falling out with his former collaborator, Quincy—now known as Freq—who abandoned their partnership to join an experimental group called The Osmiums. This betrayal left Fret disillusioned and reluctant to ever pick up his guitar again.
After a chance encounter during a Homestead raid, Cadence convinces Fret to form an unlikely duo, merging their pop and rock sensibilities into a style they jokingly refer to as “prock.” Their burgeoning partnership is highlighted by a scripted musical duel that transitions into a harmonious duet, showcasing the game’s high-energy soundtrack. The pair strikes a bargain: Cadence will assist in neutralizing Homestead if Fret helps her compose the ultimate contest entry.
Their journey takes them to Osmium’s headquarters, a complex dungeon that blends environmental navigation with rhythmic combat. Players face off against “metalheads”—literal giant heads made of ore—while solving laser-chaining puzzles. For those who prefer to focus on the rhythm and story, these puzzles can be bypassed in the accessibility settings.
Combat in People of Note is an intricate dance of strategy and timing. Turns are structured as “stanzas,” where the active time signature dictates the number of available actions. When a character’s specific genre is active in the music, they receive a significant power boost. Resources are managed via BP (Beat Points), which accumulate over time to fuel specialized abilities.
Each musician fulfills a distinct role: Fret acts as a melodic healer, using guitar riffs to mend the party, while Cadence serves as a high-damage initiator with moves like “Opening Act.” Executing these maneuvers requires on-beat button prompts; while failure isn’t catastrophic, perfect synchronization yields significantly more powerful results.
Deep customization is available through “Songstones” and “Remix Crystals,” which allow players to modify ability properties—such as reducing BP costs or adding damage multipliers based on turn order. Even the equipment system leans into the theme, featuring tongue-in-cheek items like the health-boosting “Simon Cowl.”
The party will eventually expand to include characters like Synthia (EDM) and Vox (Hip-Hop), introducing new “Genre Mash-up” special attacks. However, the game doesn’t pull its punches; boss encounters utilize a “Crescendo” mechanic that makes enemies exponentially more dangerous the longer a fight persists. The encounter with Freq, for instance, involves him actively sabotaging the player’s rhythm by muting beats and shifting time signatures mid-stanza.
Humor is woven into the very fabric of the game, with currency aptly named “Groove” and collectible vinyl records that can be traded with an elitist hipster character. People of Note feels like a heartfelt tribute to music that isn’t afraid to poke fun at the industry’s pretentiousness. It’s a genuine, self-aware experience that leaves one eager to hear how the final symphony concludes.
Source: Polygon
