A Mortician's Tale
- October 18, 2017
- Laundry Bear Games
- 2h median play time
An approachable and thought-provoking meditation on life's only certainty.
Get on SteamIn "A Mortician's Tale," players step into the role of a mortician, managing a funeral home and learning about the death industry. Prepare cadavers, attend funerals, and interact with various characters while gaining insight into the industry's current state and future. The game features realistic procedures, engaging narratives, and a unique perspective on death and mourning.
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Reviews
- Beautiful art style and calming soundtrack
- Thought-provoking and educational about the funeral industry
- Sensitive handling of difficult topics surrounding death and grief
- Very short gameplay, typically under an hour
- Repetitive tasks with no real challenge or player agency
- High price point for the limited content offered
- story614 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "A Mortician's Tale" is primarily conveyed through emails and interactions, offering a heartfelt yet brief exploration of the funeral industry and the protagonist's journey. While many players appreciated the emotional depth and educational aspects regarding death care, they noted that the narrative felt shallow and rushed, often lacking significant choices or character development. Overall, the game is seen more as an interactive story than a traditional game, with a playtime of about an hour, leaving some players wishing for a more substantial and nuanced storyline.
“The gameplay is pretty straightforward, but the story being told is a quiet, slow, and somber tale that's all too familiar to those who've lost someone close to them.”
“A beautiful, heartfelt, heartwarming, and occasionally harrowing story, delivered in a simple, beautiful, wonderful way.”
“The story covered a variety of topics related to death care, including embalming and cremation; the challenges of planning funerals for those who died suddenly or unexpectedly, or for those whose families had a difficult relationship; and the importance of treating a person's body with respect even though they are no longer living.”
“The story is sweet, but at the end of the day it's a bit shallow.”
“The story also seems to end quite abruptly.”
“The gameplay was very straightforward, and heavily story-based, which I think was appropriate considering the subject matter.”
- gameplay308 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "A Mortician's Tale" is minimal and largely consists of simple point-and-click mechanics, making it feel more like an interactive story or tutorial than a traditional game. Players engage in repetitive tasks related to preparing bodies for funerals, with little room for failure or meaningful choices, leading to a short overall experience of about an hour. While the narrative and themes surrounding death are poignant, many reviewers feel the gameplay lacks depth and variety, making it difficult to justify the price for such limited content.
“The gameplay is very straightforward, but the story being told is a quiet, slow, and somber tale that's all too familiar to those who've lost someone close to them.”
“The gameplay is simple point and click actions, that remind me of a less gruesome surgeon simulator.”
“While the gameplay may be simple, where it shines is in the seemingly innocuous emails that are easy to skim through (you should read these!).”
“Honestly, compared to the themes and objectives the game seeks to explore, its structure is simple, its length is short, its content is limited, and the gameplay experience might feel inadequate to fully capture the gravity of death.”
“The gameplay is non-existent, with no way to fail (except with the weird occult minesweeper clone) so the game is held up only by its plot and dialogue, which aren't riveting.”
“The gameplay is repetitive, so repetitive in fact that it's insulting how it walks you through every step... of every action... for the entire game.”
- graphics149 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as charming and cute, featuring a minimalist art style that complements its themes of death and mortuary work. While some players appreciate the calming aesthetic and emotional depth conveyed through the visuals, others find the graphics simplistic and lacking in detail. Overall, the art style is well-received for its ability to create a cozy atmosphere, though opinions vary on its execution and depth.
“The graphics and atmosphere carry heavy emotion, and the writing is well done.”
“The art style is charming and the worldbuilding is excellent for such a short game - I feel genuine affection for characters that I spent less than an hour with.”
“The graphics are cute and a mortician's tale is probably really accurate when it comes to being a mortician.”
“The graphics look like a 1990's flash game, but they still made the effort to draw tattoos on the main character's arms because of course they did.”
“To boot, the graphics are dull and the whole concept is executed without any notion of fun whatsoever.”
“Unfortunately, this game is overly simple - from the graphics to the email-driven story.”
- music143 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and beautiful qualities, effectively enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. Many players found the soundtrack to be atmospheric and fitting for the game's themes, contributing to a reflective and soothing experience. However, some reviewers noted that the music could be repetitive and not particularly memorable, with a few expressing disappointment in its overall impact.
“The music was calming, the art was cute and satisfying, and I loved reading all of the emails.”
“The feelings and tears flowed naturally, but in a very thought-provoking and cathartic way, assisted by the soothing soundtrack.”
“The music grasps the atmosphere of the game in a relaxing way and evokes emotion and a sense of respect for the dead and grieving.”
“I know also that you can purchase the soundtrack to this game, but I can't even recall what the soundtrack sounded like, so either it was too quiet on my end or it was forgettable.”
“The overall game took me about a half hour, if that, to complete, and the music was always the same, so the whole game felt very repetitive and perhaps dreary.”
“The music is extremely boring and honestly disappointing.”
- emotional117 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "A Mortician's Tale" is widely praised for its touching and thought-provoking narrative, which resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears and reflection on personal experiences with loss. Despite its short length, the game effectively combines heartfelt storytelling with educational insights into the funeral industry, leaving a lasting emotional impression on many players. While some felt it could benefit from deeper character exploration, the overall sentiment is that the game successfully navigates the complexities of death and mourning in a respectful and engaging manner.
“A beautiful, heartfelt, heartwarming, and occasionally harrowing story, delivered in a simple, beautiful, wonderful way.”
“Made me cry, in a good way because it's so clear the people who made the game care and the way they put this together is informative, respectful, incredibly kind, and with love.”
“A touching, poignant and surprisingly educational experience about the people who help us get through the immediate aftermath of losing our loved ones.”
- atmosphere35 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its calming and contemplative qualities, enhanced by beautiful art, subtle music, and a poignant emotional depth. Players appreciate the unique blend of sadness and peace, which invites reflection on themes of loss and funeral rites, despite some criticism regarding repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game's aesthetic and atmospheric elements create a moving experience that resonates with those familiar with grief.
“As sad as the content is, the game style, music, and atmosphere are comforting and quite beautiful in a way.”
“The atmosphere provided by quiet piano notes and slightly vibrant purples gives you an aura of calmness, which I think the creators truly intended for players to contemplate how life goes on no matter who you are once you're gone.”
“The muted purples and pinks combined with a dreamy soundtrack create a calming atmosphere that still looks vibrant and feels just a touch lonely, all of which is to say it’s similar to the way planning a funeral feels to the uninitiated.”
“The gameplay is simple and not meant to be challenging because it is meant to immerse you in a somber atmosphere that feels outside of time.”
“It's almost there, in terms of atmosphere and story, but for me it falls short.”
“The muted purples and pinks combined with a dreamy soundtrack create a calming atmosphere that still looks vibrant and feels just a touch lonely as well, all of which is to say it’s similar to the way planning a funeral feels to the uninitiated.”
- replayability24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 42 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting that it offers little incentive to play again after completing the short experience, which typically lasts around an hour. While some appreciate its thought-provoking content, the consensus is that the absence of meaningful choices or additional content significantly diminishes its value, especially at its price point. Overall, players feel that without replay value, the game does not justify its cost.
“Even just offering you choices to say to people at the funerals would have bumped the playtime by hours, given you more to look forward to, added more replay value, and would have made the base price of $10 worth it.”
“More autonomy in what Charlie does would lend the game some replayability.”
“Not much in the way of replay value unfortunately, but I'm going to give it a positive rating to encourage people to get it when the price drops.”
“Even though the story is nice, this does mean that there's no replay value unless one wants to experience the story a second time.”
“Sadly this game has no replay value.”
“Overall, the game was nice as well as educational, but there was so much potential for more content and I know I would have been upset paying full price for so little gameplay and no replay value.”
- humor13 mentions
- 92 % positive mentions
- -15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The humor in "A Mortician's Tale" is described as a blend of dark and light-hearted elements, effectively navigating the sensitive topic of death with both informative and comedic storytelling. Players appreciate the range of emotions elicited, from laughter to sadness, while highlighting the game's ability to present serious themes in a humorous and respectful manner. Overall, the humor is seen as a key strength, contributing to a unique and engaging experience, despite some critiques regarding the game's depth and value.
“The story part was amazing - the respect shown to everyone, funny stories, interesting facts - I loved reading and learning about everything.”
“A Mortician's Tale is an informative, honest, and sometimes humorous look at the current state of and the future of the western death industry.”
“The topic is dark, but the game manages to walk the line and creates a warm and nourishing simulation that is both instructive; humorous at times, heart-breaking at others.”
“This game is basically 'Amateur Surgeon' if 'Amateur Surgeon' was not funny and cost real-life money to play.”
“The humor falls flat and feels forced, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
“I expected a lot of laughs, but instead, I found myself rolling my eyes at the weak jokes and puns.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and reminiscent of a routine, with mechanics that can feel overly simplistic and repetitive. While the game avoids excessive fluff and grinding for upgrades, the minigames and gameplay are often described as annoying and lacking polish, leading to a somewhat monotonous experience. Overall, the balance between narrative and gameplay may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking more engaging mechanics.
“Plus, the minigames are really tedious and annoying.”
“Game-play and story are very tedious and as others have mentioned, essentially an email reading simulator.”
“Honestly, the gameplay reminds me of an unpolished and tedious version of amateur surgeon, a free flash game released years before.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of "A Mortician's Tale" has been criticized as a cash grab, with users noting that it is essentially a paid advertisement for green burials and the death-positive movement rather than a traditional game or visual novel. While the store page accurately represents the content, many feel that the transition from a free mobile app to a paid product on Steam is exploitative.
“A mortician's tale is a free mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as a paid product, as a cash grab from morally bankrupt mobile app developers.”
“Be warned that this isn't a game, or even a visual novel so much as it is an advertisement for green burials and the death-positive movement.”
“It is definitely advertising green burials and the death-positive movement, but admittedly, I align with both of those movements, and I'm not sure that folks open to buying the game wouldn't align with those views to some extent.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its thoughtfulness and individuality, reflecting the harsh realities of corporate control and diverse character interactions. However, some users caution that it may not offer in-depth exploration of characters. Overall, the character design is praised for its clean and simple aesthetic while still conveying distinct personalities.
“The character development, the harsh reality of bigger companies taking control and removing respect from the business, and the different types of people you take care of.”
“Character design is clean and simple, but with plenty of character and individuality.”
“Also, do not expect in-depth character development.”
“The character development, the harsh reality of bigger companies taking control and taking the respect out of the business, and the different types of people you take care of.”
“However, I did appreciate the thoughtfulness and character development that went into it.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, user experiences with stability are mixed; while some players report smooth performance with no lags or glitches, others have encountered significant issues, including multiple restarts and glitches that hindered gameplay.
“Two reasons I'm giving this a do not recommend: 1) I had some glitches and had to restart the game 3 times to get it to function, and I had an issue at the end as well. 2) I played this straight through in 1 hour, including taking breaks to Google different funeral things I read about in the game.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its smooth performance on PC, with users reporting no lags or glitches, which enhances the overall experience alongside its appealing art and playstyle.
“The only reason I am giving this a thumbs up is because the game runs smoothly on my PC with no lags or glitches, and I love the art style as well as the playstyle of the game (point and click).”
