On Your Tail
- December 16, 2024
- Memorable Games
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamIn "On Your Tail," players step into the shoes of Diana, an amateur writer seeking inspiration in the sunny Borgo Marina. As a phantom thief wreaks havoc, players will investigate crime scenes, gather clues using a chronolens, and recreate the crime through a card-based system, engaging with various character storylines along the way. This looks like a captivating blend of detective work and narrative exploration.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming atmosphere with beautiful visuals, engaging characters, and a delightful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The detective mechanics and mini-games are fun and provide a good mix of challenge and engagement, making exploration enjoyable.
- There is a lot of content to explore, including various side activities and quests, which adds depth and replayability to the game.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues, including camera problems, slow loading times, and translation errors that can disrupt gameplay.
- The pacing can feel slow, with excessive backtracking and a lack of meaningful life simulation elements, leading to a sense of emptiness in the world.
- Some mini-games, particularly those involving timed tasks, can be frustrating and detract from the otherwise relaxing vibe of the game.
- story20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it bland and lacking depth, particularly in a mystery/detective context. While a few appreciate its lighthearted charm and relaxing nature, others criticize it for being a mere backdrop to minigames and puzzles, leading to a sense of wasted time. Overall, the narrative is seen as simple and not particularly engaging, though some players enjoy the exploration and character interactions.
“A lovely Italian vacation story, with some light sleuthing on the side.”
“An amazing game containing a fantastic story with a few plot twists along with intriguing backstories, and this goes hand in hand with beautiful locations, adorable characters, cool mechanics, and entertaining minigames.”
“The music, story, and characters make it a very relaxing game.”
“Unfortunately, the story itself is kind of bland.”
“The story is just a pretend investigation to throw over minigames and puzzles.”
“The game is extremely rough around the edges, the camera is all over the place and the story is so boring it is hard to believe the writers took this seriously.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and features enjoyable investigation and mystery-solving mechanics, though it suffers from bugs and pacing issues. While the puzzles show promise, they may not become significantly more challenging, and the overall experience is enhanced by beautiful art, intriguing storylines, and a variety of mini-quests. Players appreciate the creative detective elements, but some express concerns about potential grindiness in the game's economy.
“The investigation and mystery-solving mechanics are genuinely fun (even a bit challenging), to the point that I feel engaged when doing them.”
“Somewhere in between a persona and a vacation simulator with incredible art, models, music, and vibe, and, as if that wasn't enough, an engaging and creative detective mechanic.”
“Detective mechanics are also super fun, and the game features lots of mini quests.”
“Normally I despise Ace Attorney/Danganronpa mystery games because I can't get past the writing and the gameplay.”
“After reaching the one in the fort and sitting through countless failed attempts and their unskippable cutscenes, I gave up and looked up the solution in a walkthrough video. My jaw dropped at the 'solution' order of events, which I wouldn't have picked even a million attempts in.”
“If the whole diorama gameplay was a little snappier and faster, they could get away with extremely complex puzzles, involving 10 or more cards, perhaps some being red herrings, and really show the extent this mechanic could be taken to.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its engaging soundtrack, which evokes a nostalgic 80s vibe and complements the game's humorous dialogue and beautiful design. Players appreciate the emotional connection to the music, despite some frustration over the absence of a complete tracklist. Overall, the combination of music, story, and character design contributes to a relaxing and immersive gaming experience.
“The soundtrack is great, the humor in the dialogue has gotten a few chuckles from me, and the design of the environment and characters is wonderful.”
“The music, story, and characters make it a very relaxing game.”
“The 80s summer songs on the radio make me weep from homesickness - I must find them somehow.”
“Shame that they aren't listed anywhere on the OST; I would legit put them in my playlists. I don't think they are actual songs (I couldn't find anything by googling the lyrics), but if they were made by the team... god damn.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their charming art style and attention to detail, effectively capturing the essence of a quaint Italian seaside town. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, authentic references, and well-designed characters, contributing to a lighthearted and immersive experience. Overall, the graphics enhance the game's appeal and emotional connection.
“The game is filled to the brim with authentic little details and references of a typical Italian town, from the Molise joke (okay, that was kind of cheesy, but I'll admit, as an indie dev I probably wouldn't have resisted putting it in either) to the literal hundreds of street signs, graphics, buildings, WWII memorials, movie posters, etc. that you would see in a little seaside town in Liguria decades ago.”
“Lighthearted, easy adventure game featuring a well-crafted dynamic soundscape, beautiful visuals, and a lot of heart.”
“The art style is gorgeous, and the characters are relatable in some way. With all the game has to offer, it might be my next indie game that keeps me coming back for more!”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games, making the overall experience feel less immersive.”
“Character models look stiff and lifeless, which detracts from the emotional impact of the story.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, failing to capture the unique charm of the setting.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's cozy atmosphere, highlighting the evident love and passion that has been infused into its design.
“I've been playing the game for a short while now and love the cozy atmosphere and the love and passion that's gone into this game!”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers an engaging vibe and intriguing detective mechanics; however, players have reported significant bugs, indicating stability issues that detract from the overall experience.
“I really like the vibe and the detective mechanics, but being a new game, it's very buggy.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express concerns about potential grinding in the game, particularly regarding job mechanics and the economy, though they acknowledge that many features, such as fishing and cooking, remain undiscovered. The uncertainty about the game's depth and mechanics leaves some anxious about the possibility of repetitive tasks.
“Half of my tutorial cards are still not revealed, so the game must have so many more mechanics for me to find out. I haven't even fished or cooked yet! I'm also anxious about the economy, as the jobs might get grindy, but that's speculation based on where I am; that might not hold true.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
“I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over just to level up, which takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "On Your Tail" is characterized by its clever wit and engaging narrative, complemented by memorable characters and a beautifully crafted world, making for a delightful gaming experience.
“On Your Tail is a delightful narrative-driven game filled with clever humor, memorable characters, and a beautifully crafted world.”
