With the exception of documentary, just about every film genre is widely represented in video games — except for one. The musical is largely uncharted territory for gaming. Sure, we’ve got no shortage of rhythm games, but how often do you get to see Kratos bust out into a full Broadway number?
A not-so-interactive musical Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical plays like a standard visual novel with occasional music interludes. It tells the story of Grace, a human musician who accidentally winds up in the world of Gods after Calliope is murdered. In order to clear her name, Grace vows to find the real killer among a colorful cast of Greek Gods. It’s a fun premise for a murder mystery story that lets Summerfall Studios get inventive with a modern take on mythology.
No showstoppers That idea extends to musical sequences too, as dialogue choices will change the lyrics and tone of a song. It’s an impressive trick, one that makes up for the fact Stray Gods is lacking in true showstopping numbers. Though impressively composed by Austin Wintery and performed by its voice cast , lyrics carefully built to advance a branching plot make a Lin-Manuel Miranda songbook sound like Björk.