- What is it? An interactive stop-motion musical
- Who is it for? Anyone with a sense of fun
- How much does it cost? $4/£4 with no in-app purchases
- What makes it special? Original music, hand-crafted art, and an unexpected collaboration
Imagine if Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet starred a peanut and a strawberry. That’s exactly the whimsical premise behind PBJ: The Musical, a delightful new game from indie developer Philipp Stollenmayer. Known for artful, quirky games unlike anything else on iPhone – including hits including Sticky Terms, Zip Zap, and the viral sensation Bacon: The Game – Stollenmayer has now crafted what might just be his magnum opus.
Through ten playful musical acts, players help peanut boy and strawberry girl navigate the sweet and salty origins of the beloved PBJ sandwich. Every visual in the game is painstakingly handmade using vintage cookbooks and magazine cutouts, creating a tactile charm rarely seen in mobile games. As you might expect, it’s jam-packed (pun intended) with creativity, humor, and good old-fashioned fun.
At the heart of the experience is an original soundtrack by Lorraine Bowen of Britain’s Got Talent fame, featuring catchy songs that dynamically respond to player input. This is basically a full concept album, performed with real instruments and guest vocals from children, choirs, and even the developer himself. “Writing this musical was a blast from beginning to end,” says Bowen, “and I hope players catch some of the severe earworms I’ve got!”
With clever accessibility features gently guiding players through each scene, PBJ: The Musical ensures a frustration-free experience that can be as interactive as you want it to be. To say much more would be to spoil the fun, but rest assured if you want something completely unique and full of heart, give this bonkers collaboration a try. It’s out now for a very reasonable price considering the effort involved, and much cheaper than a show on Broadway!