On Your Tail

About

On Your Tail is a single player role playing game with romance, mystery and comedy themes. It was developed by Memorable Games and was released on December 16, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Embark on an intriguing seaside getaway you’ll never forget in On Your Tail, a sleuthy story-driven 3D life sim of relaxation, investigation, and knowing how to play your cards right.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 217 reviews

story60 positive mentions

grinding23 negative mentions

The art direction, character designs, and writing are delightful and create a charming atmosphere.
The game offers a variety of engaging mini-games and activities that enhance the overall experience.
The story and character development are compelling, making players feel invested in the town and its inhabitants.

The game suffers from bugs and technical issues, including soft locks and performance hiccups.
Some mini-games and puzzles can be frustrating, often relying on trial and error rather than logical deduction.
The pacing can feel slow, with excessive backtracking and a lack of fast travel options, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.

story
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
64%
3%
The story of the game is a mixed experience, with many players finding the initial narrative engaging and emotionally resonant, particularly during key moments. However, the latter part of the story often feels rushed and disjointed, leading to a disappointing conclusion that undermines earlier emotional investment. While the characters and setting are praised for their charm and depth, the overall execution of the plot leaves some players wanting more coherence and resolution.
- “This game has strong characters, great storytelling, and no shortage of things to do.”
- “The story is fun with many twists that feel earned and well set up.”
- “First of all, the overall story was a bit of a hit and miss for me.”
- “The story and characters will draw you in and keep you interested for most of the way through, only to taper off by the end.”
- “The story, being mostly grounded and somewhat believable for most of the game, has taken such a drastic turn into 'wtf' territory right at the end that killed all my remaining curiosity.”
gameplay
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
64%
11%
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a variety of enjoyable mechanics such as investigation, sailing, and mini-games, but marred by issues like poor writing, tedious cooking mechanics, and a lack of clarity in the detective system. While the charming visuals and engaging narrative draw players in, many find the gameplay mechanics to be inconsistent and reliant on trial-and-error, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game offers a relaxing atmosphere and unique puzzle-solving elements that some players appreciate, though it ultimately struggles to meet the expectations set by its aesthetic appeal.
- “The core mechanic is that the clues you find while walking around and investigating become event cards that you have to organize into a cohesive story that plays out in front of you, and it feels so good to figure out the series of what event causes what event.”
- “The gameplay is original, but I found it sometimes a little bit lacking and stiff, so I'm not totally convinced on this part.”
- “The investigation and mystery-solving mechanics are genuinely fun (even a bit challenging), to the point that I feel engaged when doing them.”
- “It's got a lot of potential, but it's let down in a few key areas by lackluster writing and mechanics.”
- “Get drawn in by the cute and beautiful visuals, but leave due to the poor performance and horrendous nonsensical gameplay.”
- “The core gameplay loop of investigation and deduction, alongside the occasional interrogation, sadly inherits the issues I previously described on top of those already present due to its fundamental design.”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
39%
8%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and charming art style, which effectively captures the cozy atmosphere of a seaside Italian town. While many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and engaging character designs, some report minor graphical issues and performance problems that detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game's aesthetic is considered a strong point, making it appealing to fans of colorful and immersive environments.
- “The art style is amazing, in both 2D and 3D forms, and the soundtrack is so good!”
- “I fell in love with the warm aesthetic the game presents from the colorful and vibrant town right down to the main character's chip and Dale Rescue Rangers cosplay.”
- “The visuals are absolutely amazing, and I just love the bright pastels of the world.”
- “I really wanted to like this game, but the gameplay does not live up to the quality of the visuals.”
- “But even the visuals are misleading because there are translation issues and bugs such as cards not loading, screen cutoffs, and the nail in the coffin: the game hung on a loading screen when I called a friend over the phone.”
- “Our adventures in this corner of Italy aren't exactly the best looking ones: it suffers from a few graphical glitches here and there like textures not loading in properly, shadows flickering as they cannot decide which resolution to use... but this, I can forgive.”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
53%
8%
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as calming and atmospheric, effectively enhancing the overall experience. While some players find it enjoyable and immersive, others note that it can become repetitive during extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated for its ability to set the mood and complement the game's charming visuals and engaging narrative.
- “The art, music, and overall atmosphere feel very cozy and immersive.”
- “The charming characters, intriguing mystery, and incredible music make it a memorable journey, though patience is required for its slower pace and occasional technical hiccups.”
- “The music, vibes, and gameplay are all refreshing and it's one of those few games where I can't wait to pick back up once I'm done with it for the day.”
- “The soundtrack is quite generic and could be more charming.”
- “The music is ok, but starts to grind a little after multiple sittings of more than 10 minutes.”
- “Charmling soundtrack, not to a level I would keep playing until eternity like some songs from Dust: An Elysian Tail or Earthworm Jim 1 + 2, but they fulfilled their purpose and never really bored while playing the game.”
grinding
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly when it comes to earning money for achievements and collecting in-game cards. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of mini-games and the lack of fast travel, which can lead to excessive backtracking and a frustrating experience. While some appreciate the game's chill vibe and the quality of the mini-games, the overall sentiment is that the grinding can detract from the enjoyment of the detective storyline.
- “I've now sunk more hours into this game than I'd like and am shelving it for now since it is just not fun grinding out the rest of it for achievements; it would be a waste of time.”
- “The other two-thirds of the game, at least for completionists, is collecting all of the in-game cards, which requires spending lots and lots of money, necessitating grinding money via mini-games on a level you'd expect from a JRPG.”
- “Don't get me wrong, the mini-games are fairly solid in and of themselves, but for those who don't enjoy grinding, it will get old really fast.”
stability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
95%
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, including frequent bugs, visual glitches, and occasional crashes that often require restarts to resolve. While some players find the experience enjoyable despite these problems, others report significant frustration due to broken puzzles, confusing mini-games, and softlocks. Overall, the game's stability is a notable drawback, impacting its overall enjoyment.
- “The game runs great on Proton 9/Debian 13 at a stable 1080p@60fps, making for a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
- “Puzzles were fun, and the fishing mechanics are engaging without feeling tedious.”
- “The minigames are well-balanced, staying just long enough to be enjoyable without overstaying their welcome.”
- “The game is rather buggy in places, and if the game crashes or you have to kill the process, the next time you start the game it loads on the wrong screen, and moving it back to the correct screen is very difficult.”
- “I feel like this had potential, but it's so buggy it's unplayable.”
- “Though there are some areas that feel half-baked, I did encounter my fair share of awkward glitches in the overworld & certain cutscenes and even some softlocks.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its touching and heartwarming story, which effectively combines nostalgia with a cozy atmosphere, making it a memorable experience for players. Many reviewers noted that the game evokes a range of feelings, from laughter to tears, and creates a deep connection with its characters, despite some narrative flaws. Overall, it is described as a heartfelt journey that resonates with players, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
- “It's a big emotional and nostalgic journey that I recommend even to those who do not usually play this type of game.”
- “I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with Borgo Marina.”
- “In the end, this game offers a heartfelt and immersive experience that’s hard to forget, even with its flaws.”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
29%
18%
The atmosphere of "On Your Tail" is widely praised for its cozy, immersive quality, reminiscent of a sunny, idyllic Italian beach town filled with charming characters and vibrant visuals. Players appreciate the soothing music and art that enhance the game's inviting ambiance, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy exploring its nostalgic and dreamlike setting. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating, with a perfect blend of relaxation and intrigue, inviting players to fully engage with its world.
- “It's a truly unique game that feels like a sunny, colorful, dreamy vacation, and the atmosphere is instantly inviting.”
- “On your tail is an 80s nostalgia trip in an idyllic Italian beach town, filled with charming characters, a cozy atmosphere, many activities to engage in, and several mysteries to solve.”
- “Nevertheless, the atmosphere coming from the game's visual presentation is all too powerful for me not to forgive those issues.”
- “The town of Borgo Marina is stunning, and the vibrant, stylized houses and streets ooze atmosphere.”
- “The cozy atmosphere with occult mysteries sprinkled on top were the cherries on top of a great story packed with lovable and interesting characters, sublimed by a captivating narrative.”
optimization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
60%
27%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, particularly on the Steam Deck, where users report frequent stuttering and lag during area transitions. Many players feel that the performance issues, large file size, and lack of quality-of-life features detract from the experience, suggesting that the game needed more time for tuning and refinement. While some find the visuals appealing, the current state of optimization has led to frustration rather than enjoyment, with hopes for future patches to improve the situation.
- “Needs optimization and focus: with the current performance, file size, and rough edges, it feels like a game that needed more time and tuning.”
- “On the Steam Deck, the game runs surprisingly well once assets are properly loaded, but optimization feels inconsistent.”
- “At the moment, performance issues, file size, and missing quality of life features make the idea of replaying more tiring than relaxing, so I am waiting to see how future patches shape things.”
- “Right now, serious performance issues on Steam Deck, a hard-to-read map, missing accessibility options, and poorly signposted systems make the experience more frustrating than relaxing.”
- “If the developers tighten performance, improve navigation and information tools, and optimize file size, I would be happy to revisit and update how I feel, but in its current state I cannot recommend it.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The character development in *On Your Tail* is highly praised for its charming and thoughtfully crafted designs, featuring a diverse cast of anthropomorphic characters with unique personalities that enhance player interactions and the overall narrative. Reviewers appreciate the game's soothing atmosphere and the vibrant, colorful character aesthetics, which contribute significantly to the immersive experience of exploring its beautifully designed world.
- “On Your Tail has lovely character designs, a very soothing atmosphere, and a town full of potential, and I genuinely want to love it.”
- “Fantastic character design: the anthropomorphic characters are thoughtfully crafted, each with unique personalities that enrich interactions and the narrative.”
- “Everything was superb, I adored the character designs, the way Borgo Marina was designed, the fact it was mostly open world; it felt like I had been transported into a little Italian village!”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “While the character designs are charming, the overall development of the characters is disappointing.”
- “The game offers cute character designs, but the lack of meaningful character development leaves much to be desired.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game has limited replayability, as it is designed for players to complete it in a single save file, with the story structured around achieving 100% completion in one playthrough.
- “There's also a lack of replayability, which is in part because the developers intended for you to 100% the game in a single save file and wrote the story accordingly.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever writing and memorable characters, enhanced by a delightful narrative that engages players. Additionally, the use of paper figurines during the reasoning stage adds a whimsical and amusing touch to the gameplay experience.
- “After collecting clues, you will enter the reasoning stage, and at the same time, it uses paper figurines to reproduce it, which is kind of funny.”
- “On Your Tail is a delightful narrative-driven game filled with clever humor, memorable characters, and a beautifully crafted world.”