Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Make My Video: INXS places you behind the controls of a virtual editing suite, challenging you to piece together a music video that satisfies the eclectic tastes of bar patrons. In the core EditChallenge mode, you receive a list of visual specifications—images, effects, color schemes—and then choose from three live video streams (including the original INXS footage) to splice into your final cut. Timing, frame composition, and filter application all factor into your score, encouraging a balance of creativity and precision.

The real-time editing interface feels surprisingly intuitive, with on-the-fly selection buttons for stream swapping and a robust array of filters—mosaic, blur, RGB tweaks, strobe, motion blur, and even subtitle overlays. You’ll be racing against the clock as each client’s words flash on-screen, demanding rapid decisions: Does this shot of flashing neon satisfy Flo and Tiger’s “tough chick” aesthetic? Or should you dial back to a somber sepia tone for Poindexter’s introspective vibe?

Beyond the competitive EditChallenge lies U-Direct mode, where constraints evaporate, and you’re free to tinker with footage at your leisure. This sandbox environment opens up the console’s full feature set, letting you craft experimental videos with the three official INXS songs—“Heaven Sent,” “Not Enough Time,” and “Baby Don’t Cry”—or simply mashup random clips. U-Direct’s save-and-share functionality is a neat bonus, offering budding editors a way to showcase their creations long after the bar’s last call.

Graphics

As a game centered on video playback and filter effects, Make My Video: INXS leans heavily on its graphical presentation. The primary INXS footage streams in at a respectable resolution for its era, and while it can’t compete with modern HD standards, it captures the band’s trademark stage lighting and energy. The two alternate camera feeds—stock choreography and candid behind-the-scenes clips—add visual variety and often surprise you with frames that match patron requests.

The editing console UI is clean and functional: preview windows are clearly labeled, filter icons are color-coded, and the timeline scrubber responds smoothly to adjustments. Filters themselves deliver immediate visual feedback. The mosaic effect, for instance, pixelates whole regions of the frame in real time, while the strobe filter pulses bright white flashes that sync eerily well with the music’s rhythm. RGB shifts and blur masks are equally effective for meeting client specifications or just creating novel visual flourishes.

One minor drawback is that some of the random footage can look compressed or grainy, especially when stretched to full-screen. However, this imperfection occasionally works in your favor—those gritty shots can lend a raw, underground feel that aligns perfectly with certain bar patrons’ visions. Overall, graphics serve their purpose: giving you a toolkit for visual storytelling rather than showcasing cutting-edge fidelity.

Story

While Make My Video: INXS isn’t a narrative-driven title in the traditional sense, it frames its challenges within a playful barroom scenario. You’re tasked with translating the personalities of Fly, Ted and Gomez (the tongue-in-cheek surfer duo), Poindexter, and the leather-clad Flo and Tiger into bespoke INXS videos. Each client brings their own quirky demands—images of palm trees, abstract neon shapes, or blur filters—to express their personal take on what an INXS video “should” be.

The interactions are lighthearted and humorous. Ted and Gomez banter like a parody of Bill & Ted, hoping to win over the main characters with laid-back vibes, while Poindexter fumbles through shy requests for more intimate, subtle shots. Flo and Tiger roar in with aggressive “more metal” demands, craving authenticity—and secretly itching to swap in a Megadeth tape. This cast of characters injects the editing challenges with personality, making each request feel like part of an unfolding social scene rather than a dry checklist.

Though there’s no branching storyline or character progression beyond the requests themselves, the game’s premise cleverly uses these bar patrons to frame each editing assignment. You never just cut footage—you’re mediating between conflicting visions of rock stardom, which gives the experience an oddly narrative underpinning. It’s a simple setup, but it keeps the focus on creativity and social commentary rather than cut scenes or dialogue trees.

Overall Experience

Make My Video: INXS carves out a unique niche between rhythm games and creative sandboxes. It won’t satisfy players craving fast-paced action or epic adventure, but for anyone interested in video editing, music-driven challenges, or visual experimentation, it offers a remarkably engaging playground. The combination of client-driven objectives and an open-ended U-Direct mode caters to both competitive and creative mindsets.

Replay value is surprisingly high. Each EditChallenge feels fresh thanks to randomized requests and the unpredictable nature of the extra camera feeds. Completing a perfect client video delivers a real sense of accomplishment, especially when you nail that precise filter blend or seamless cut sequence. And for players who just want to tinker, U-Direct provides a sandbox that can keep creativity flowing for hours.

Ultimately, Make My Video: INXS is a distinctive title that celebrates the art of music video editing. It pairs solid gameplay mechanics with an entertaining cast of characters and a flexible editing suite. If you’ve ever wanted hands-on involvement in crafting rock visuals—or if you’re simply looking for a low-pressure creative outlet with an ’80s rock soundtrack—this game is a hidden gem worth exploring.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10