This cozy indie rhythm game with Thank Goodness You're Here vibes might be my Summer Game Fest highlight, letting us run a record shop alongside an adorable dog
Mr. Records is a musical adventure that hits all the right notes
It's the most wonderful time of the year for us gamers, as Summer Game Fest rolls around with all of its new reveals and sneak peeks – including a first look at Mr. Records, a musical adventure from indie developer Glee Cheese.
During tonight's Day of the Devs showcase, we saw various exciting world premieres – but Mr. Records undeniably stands out as one of the most unique, with rhythm-based gameplay and a banger soundtrack.
Headed by the devs behind Headbangers: Rhythm Royale and A Musical Story, Mr. Records places players in the shoes of George, an elderly record shop manager who lives through his customers' stories via the music he sells.
With every record comes a new adventure set in a surreal, dream-like world, inspired by various moments from George's own life. Some are upbeat toe-tapping tunes, while others may genuinely bring you to tears – the music leads everything in Mr. Records.
On the side, though, George is still running his shop, of course. That means managing quirky customers, solving musical riddles, unlocking new stock, and transforming the store one song at a time.
That's not all, though – just like every good game (I'm probably biased, but come on), Mr. Records' protagonist isn't alone… he has an adorable doggo called Buzz by his side. You get to relax between the beats, too, reflecting on memories in George's bedroom above his shop.
It's a beautiful blend of rhythmic gameplay and cozy moments (with serious Thank Goodness You're Here vibes), coming across as a title that truly has a little bit of something for every flavor of player.
Like funk? You'll probably enjoy Mr. Records. Fan of hip-hop? Mr. Records is likely for you. Love a good 80s pop song? Then give Mr. Records a go. From the way Glee Cheese presents it, it's all-encompassing.
As the studio says, the "record shop setting is really inspiring as it gives us the freedom to explore a wide range of musical styles." I'm sold, personally, but the whole journeying-through-music thing got me, anyway.
If you're just as hyped by the idea of playing a little old man adventuring through songs as I am, give the official website a bookmark. It's set to launch on PC, although we don't have a release date just yet… Fingers crossed it comes sooner rather than later.
Wondering what other new games we'll see during this year's big showcases? Browse through our Summer Game Fest 2026 predictions to find out what we think.
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After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.
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