Tailor Tales
- January 9, 2019
- Celianna
- 11h median play time
Get on SteamPlay as an aspiring fashion designer with your own boutique and experience a heart pounding romance.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The stories are fun, spicy, and very engaging, with well-developed characters that provide a variety of tones to the relationships.
- The customization mechanic for the heroine's appearance is enjoyable, allowing for creative expression through a dress-up style.
- The game is highly recommended for its unique, well-written content and the ability to play for free, with affordable DLC options available.
- Some players find the mini-game for designing clothes tedious and repetitive, especially when trying to match specific client requests.
- There are instances of awkward dialogue and character interactions that can detract from the overall experience.
- The game currently has limited routes available, which may leave players wanting more content sooner.
- story455 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players praising the unique and immersive narratives for each character, which are complemented by strong character development and engaging writing. While some users noted that choices often have minimal impact on the overall plot, the diverse storylines and the integration of a dress-making mechanic add depth and enjoyment to the gameplay. However, a few critiques highlight issues with pacing and occasional juvenile writing, suggesting that while the stories are captivating, they may not appeal to everyone.
“The storyline was captivating and I enjoyed the way I could see how long each of their routes were.”
“The story, the artwork, the fashion designer aspect... everything was very fun.”
“The story lines are unique for each different character and are very attention grabbing; I read through all of them one after the other and cannot say I was disappointed.”
“The story and writing is awful.”
“Your choices do not impact the story whatsoever besides some flavor text right around your choice.”
“The story felt very much like it was written by someone young (like, 15-16).”
- graphics49 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the artwork as beautiful, well-executed, and consistent throughout. Some players appreciate the unique art style, which evokes nostalgia for early 2010s flash games, while others find it unappealing and a significant drawback. Overall, the visuals are noted for their detail and integration with the storytelling, enhancing the overall experience for those who enjoy the aesthetic.
“The artwork is truly spectacular and just gorgeous.”
“Amazing game with great graphics and riveting storylines!”
“The graphics are amazing and the stories plus characters really drew me in.”
“The art style isn't really my thing; it reminds me a lot of flash dress-up games from the early 2010s, and it turned me off from the game a lot despite the glowing reviews I heard from numerous people.”
“While the graphics are kind of outdated and the stories are a bit cliched, I can't help but swoon for the characters that were created.”
“I find the art style the biggest downfall of this game.”
- gameplay47 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Tailor Tales is characterized by its engaging dress-up mechanics and customization options, allowing players to create clothing and design for characters, which many find enjoyable and reminiscent of classic games. While the narrative and character design are praised, some reviewers note that the gameplay mechanics can feel limited and linear, particularly in the dating aspects. Overall, the unique blend of fashion design and storytelling offers a fun experience, though there is room for improvement in character development and gameplay depth.
“The element of customizing your heroine's appearance in a dress-up style mechanic with clothes you create was really fun, and a total 5-star element for an artist like myself.”
“I love the mechanic in-between chapters of being able to design clothes for clients/yourself - and how you can customize your main character in CG.”
“The building relationships feel totally natural for both Neil and Dimitri, and the fashion mechanic worked really well - it gave a sense of time passing and I like that the clothes you create, such as the ballgown, end up in the CGs and become part of the story.”
“Comparing it to other visual novel games, Tailor Tales excels in its engaging narrative and charming character design, but falls short in its relatively limited gameplay mechanics.”
“Yeah, the dating mechanic is pretty linear and it's not like your choices add up to determine which boy you end up with; you literally just choose the guy you want at the start.”
“This, once more, makes me feel like we don’t really have any power throughout our gameplay and when making decisions.”
- music32 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the storytelling and set the mood, with many users noting its fittingness and pleasantness. While some reviewers mention that it may not be spectacular, it effectively complements the narrative and character interactions, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience. The soundtrack is available on Bandcamp, and many players appreciate the effort put into the music alongside the writing and artwork.
“The music is awesome, the story delivers.”
“One of the most important aspects of a game is the music and it fits oh so well with the scenarios in every chapter.”
“I loved the music because it fit the story so well and really helped set a mood.”
“The music, while not spectacular, conveyed the setting that the developer wanted to showcase well.”
“Also, in the survey I filled out about Neil's route, I talked about a lack of background music.”
“I want to apologize for my mistake - I forgot that I turned the background music off in order to watch YouTube at the same time.”
- humor23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the hilarious internal dialogues, funny character interactions, and well-written scenarios that consistently elicit laughter. Characters like Caine and Neil are particularly noted for their adorable and amusing traits, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While some voice acting choices received mixed feedback, the game's comedic moments and clever dialogue are seen as standout features that keep players engaged and entertained.
“Mfc's internal dialogue was hilarious.”
“Started playing through Neil's story and there are so many hilarious moments!”
“The dialogue genuinely has me laughing at points and the game even features trigger warnings and awesome CGs.”
- grinding20 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to farming coins for character customization and progressing through chapters. While some players find enjoyment in the design mini-games and the overall concept, many express frustration with the grind required to unlock content, especially when mistakes lead to additional grinding. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable for those who appreciate the mechanics, but it may deter players seeking a more streamlined progression.
“Not sure if I'll finish the game; I'm a little annoyed with grinding to buy the wrong colors all the time.”
“The money-making client game feels extremely tedious and it gives me no rewarding feeling.”
“It also feels pointlessly grindy, especially if you want to play other routes because the coin limit for chapters never hits a max limit.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply impactful, with players experiencing a wide range of feelings from heart-wrenching moments to unexpected camaraderie and self-reflection. Characters grapple with trauma, boundaries, and moral dilemmas, leading to intense emotional reactions, including tears and nostalgia. The narrative complexity and character development create a rollercoaster of emotions, making it a standout experience for those seeking drama over lightheartedness.
“His route got me really emotional and made me cry when I played for the first time, which is incredibly rare for me.”
“It can cause the greatest amount of emotional reaction of any other game out there, and it's free.”
“This game has made me so sad that I cried, extremely giddy, and overall happy and nostalgic, a homey kind of feel that resonates with me.”
- character development15 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, character development in the game is highly praised, with players noting the engaging narratives and significant growth of characters throughout the story. Many reviewers highlight the impressive customization options and the ability to evolve their feelings towards initially unlikable characters, enhancing the emotional connection to the game. While some mention areas for improvement, the combination of strong storytelling and charming character design contributes to a captivating experience.
“I think the lengthiness really lends to character development.”
“The story was wonderful, I'm really impressed with the character development and the customization.”
“I'm glad I was proven wrong; Neil was an annoying character at the start of his route, but as his story went on, his character development was satisfying and I even started to like him.”
“Of course, there is always room for improvement (such as the character development and a few mechanics when it comes to the outfit game), but the designs and the story are very good!”
“I finally finished Neil's route, although I hated him halfway through; his character development was remarkable and relatable to anyone living with strict parents!”
“I remember when this game first came out; I think I picked it up around the time Caine was released and subbed to the Patreon... this is way back when James was going to be a carpenter and I think Gray's name was Sam and he had a totally different character design... yeah, that long ago.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the visual novel is considered high, with multiple routes offering significant replay value. Players appreciate the engaging choices and the consistent happy endings, which contribute to a lasting enjoyment of the game.
“And the routes have replay value to them!”
“As fun as it is to try and find the correct choice in a visual novel, those visual novels are far less replayable to me.”
“The replay value, in my honest opinion, is high.”
“Each route has a high amount of replayability, and I don't know if I'll ever really get tired of any of them.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is notably poor, with frequent bugs that can render it unplayable, particularly for players choosing non-white skin tones, as their avatars fail to load. Additionally, players report issues with the game freezing during extended inactivity and problems with loading saved games, leading to frustrating experiences. While some acknowledge the game's free status, the overall lack of polish significantly impacts gameplay.
“Buggy; unplayable if you choose a non-white skin tone since your avatar will never load.”
“This is less horrible and more just annoying, but if you walk away for too long it freezes your game so you have to completely restart it.”
“It gets stuck on load game for me :c I wanna play but it freezes.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for being completely free and devoid of advertisements, making the occasional minigame between episodes a minor and acceptable aspect of its monetization strategy.
