Skip to main content

Tails Noir

Backbone features a compelling story and a well-realised post-noir dystopia, with engaging characters and some smart gameplay.
Tails Noir Game Cover
69%Game Brain Score
story, music
stability, replayability
65% User Score Based on 1,831 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStationLinuxXbox Series X|SPCCloudMac OSXbox One
Tails Noir Game Cover

About

Tails Noir is a single player role playing game with mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Eggnut and was released on June 8, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

In "Tails Noir," play as raccoon detective Howard Lotor and investigate a personal story in a dystopian, animal-inhabited Vancouver. Inspired by film noir, sci-fi, and existential philosophy, this narrative-driven adventure offers thought-provoking dialogues and immersive exploration, challenging your perspective on personhood amidst an inevitable end.

Skip User Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,831 reviews
story647 positive mentions
stability27 negative mentions

  • Stunning pixel art and beautiful visuals that create an immersive atmosphere.
  • Engaging story with interesting characters and witty dialogue that keeps players invested.
  • Great soundtrack that complements the game's mood and enhances the overall experience.
  • The story takes a confusing turn in the second half, shifting from a noir detective narrative to a bizarre sci-fi plot that feels disjointed.
  • Ending is abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many plot points unresolved and players wanting more.
  • Gameplay is mostly linear with little interactivity, making it feel more like a visual novel than a traditional adventure game.
  • story
    2,464 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Backbone" (formerly "Tails Noir") is a unique blend of noir detective elements and surrealism, initially captivating players with its intriguing premise and rich world-building. However, many reviews highlight a significant decline in narrative coherence and satisfaction as the game progresses, particularly after a jarring plot twist that shifts the focus from a grounded mystery to a convoluted sci-fi narrative, leaving numerous plot threads unresolved and resulting in an abrupt ending. While the game's visuals and atmosphere are praised, the overall execution of the story has left many players feeling disappointed and yearning for a more cohesive and fulfilling conclusion.

    • “The attention to detail transforms the simple act of walking down a street into an emotional experience, as though the world itself is a character whispering its own broken story.”
    • “The story is engaging and all the characters feel so fleshed out and unique.”
    • “The main mystery established in the prologue dissipates and the story becomes something entirely unexpected and strange, which could maybe have worked if the story continued, but then it all comes to a screeching halt.”
    • “The story, which initially appears promising and complex, gradually becomes flatter and fails to fully capitalize on the narrative potential of its world.”
    • “The story feels incomplete, and it feels like there was a sequel planned, so maybe if this included the full story where we got to fully explore both the detective mystery plot and the sci-fi plot it would have worked out better the way it was written, but as it is now, it drops a lot without resolving much, with the last third being rushed and messy.”
  • music
    671 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and evocative qualities, effectively complementing the noir aesthetic and enhancing the overall experience. Many players praised the haunting jazz melodies and ambient tones, which contribute to the game's emotional depth and immersive storytelling. However, some reviewers noted instances of sparse music, leading to moments of silence that detracted from the atmosphere, suggesting that while the soundtrack is a highlight, its inconsistent presence can impact immersion.

    • “The soundtrack complements this aesthetic perfectly—haunting jazz melodies and ambient tones reinforce the feeling of quiet melancholy that hangs over every scene.”
    • “The music is stunning, often I've stopped playing to hear the voiced songs.”
    • “The music, the backgrounds, the lighting, the character designs and personalities, all add up together to create a stunning piece of artistry.”
    • “Halfway through the game, I gave up on the music and ambiance because there was barely any there.”
    • “I don't know if it gets better, because I ended up playing my own music to match the vibe instead.”
    • “The music is also subpar.”
  • graphics
    583 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning 2.5D pixel art style, which many reviewers describe as some of the best they've seen in a game. The visuals are complemented by a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere, creating a captivating noir aesthetic. While the artwork and design are praised for their beauty and detail, some critiques mention that the narrative does not live up to the high visual standards set by the game.

    • “The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, the atmosphere and environment are really well done, and the music fits perfectly.”
    • “This 2.5D art style was masterfully done and is some of the best art I’ve seen in a game.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the art style is beautiful, the lights on the pixel models just feel otherworldly.”
    • “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “Visually, this is a hamfisted mess, a dog's breakfast of bad visuals, and this kind of laziness and poor quality should never be foisted on gamers.”
    • “Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the lackluster 2D visuals.”
  • gameplay
    423 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "Tails Noir" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant shift from the engaging mechanics presented in the prologue to a more linear, dialogue-driven experience in the full game. While the initial chapters feature stealth and puzzle elements, these are largely abandoned in favor of a visual novel format, leading to disappointment for those expecting a more interactive detective experience. Overall, the gameplay is described as simplistic and underwhelming, with many mechanics feeling underutilized or completely absent as the game progresses.

    • “The gameplay in Tails Noir is deliberately understated, designed to support the narrative rather than overshadow it.”
    • “The game has a strong start, drawing you in with the story, atmosphere, art, and gameplay.”
    • “Fun gameplay, interesting characters, and a twist I did not see coming.”
    • “The game has a pattern of being packed with all of the good stuff in the beginning, which seems to indicate that as development went on, the strong narrative and gameplay threads were lost.”
    • “The gameplay changes part way through, as others have said.”
    • “The gameplay is minimalist, but it fails to compensate with plot, which feels awkwardly-paced, yet still rushed.”
  • atmosphere
    208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and strong noir aesthetic, effectively drawing players into its unique world. Many reviewers highlight the captivating blend of art, music, and storytelling that creates a rich, atmospheric experience, although some note that the game's latter sections struggle to maintain this quality. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, making it a worthwhile experience despite some narrative shortcomings.

    • “From the outset, the game captivates with its atmosphere—a blend of smoky neon lights, wet asphalt, and brooding jazz that evokes the noir tradition while grounding it in a world both alien and eerily familiar.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing.”
    • “The standout success in this game is the atmosphere created by the artwork, the music, the sound effects.”
    • “If the intention was to deliver a story-rich detective experience with a quintessential 'noir' atmosphere, the game falls short of this objective.”
    • “This is the point where all the plot development and atmosphere of the game goes out the window.”
    • “Despite my negative feelings with the game's pacing, and narrative and character developments, I did honestly and sincerely enjoy my time with the game and while I wouldn't give it super high praise, I would for sure recommend it for its atmosphere and setting.”
  • emotional
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of profound moments and a haunting narrative that explores themes of transformation, identity, and loss. While many players found the journey engaging and emotionally resonant, particularly through its art and music, opinions diverged on the effectiveness of the ending, with some feeling it left them unsatisfied or emotionally drained. Overall, the game offers a rich emotional experience, though it may not provide the closure some players desire.

    • “The attention to detail transforms the simple act of walking down a street into an emotional experience, as though the world itself is a character whispering its own broken story.”
    • “It is a risky narrative choice, one that trades clarity for emotional and symbolic depth, but it gives the story a haunting resonance that lingers long after the credits roll.”
    • “The jazzy noir songs, emotional piano ballads, and melancholic guitars, they are all there to make the experience better and more emotional for you.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, but the story lacks any emotional depth.”
    • “I found the characters unrelatable, which made it hard to connect with the emotional moments.”
    • “While the game tries to evoke feelings, it ultimately falls flat and feels superficial.”
  • humor
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and witty dialogue, often blending dark humor with lighthearted moments that enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the natural and engaging conversations, which can lead to hilarious outcomes based on their choices, while the well-developed characters and philosophical themes add depth to the comedic elements. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant strength, contributing to the game's charm and entertainment value.

    • “The conversations felt natural and even had me laughing so hard at times.”
    • “The writing is superb, oftentimes hilarious.”
    • “This game is beautiful, it's funny, it's entertaining, it's amazingly written, the dialogue is impeccable, the characters are interesting and unique, it's all just so neatly woven together.”
  • character development
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the initial strong foundation and engaging character interactions, but ultimately criticizing the abrupt decline and lack of resolution in the latter parts of the story. While the character designs and artistic elements are highly regarded, players express disappointment over unresolved plotlines and insufficient depth for key characters, leading to an overall sense of incompleteness. Despite these issues, the aesthetic appeal and early character development moments are noted as highlights.

    • “The story starts off really strong, with good character development, interesting side stories, and a strong foundation.”
    • “All the character interactions were really good, and I enjoyed watching their character development play out.”
    • “There were some interesting dark humor elements where I actually laughed; I thought the character development was solid overall, and I really enjoyed learning more about all of the characters.”
    • “Plot and character development is dropped entirely in exchange for confusion and vague prose in an attempt to appear meaningful.”
    • “I really wanted to give this game a good review (even with all the negative reviews I saw), because dammit, the story and the character development started so strong... until all of it abruptly collapsed on itself.”
    • “The main plot had been completely abandoned, character development went downhill, and there were so many loose ends by the extremely abrupt ending.”
  • stability
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs affecting dialogue, achievements, and gameplay mechanics, leading to frustrating experiences for players. Many users encountered game-breaking glitches, particularly in later acts, which hindered progression and required multiple playthroughs or save deletions to unlock achievements. While some players enjoyed the story, the overall consensus is that the game feels unfinished and in need of significant technical improvements.

    • “The game freezes in act 2 and I can't move past it.”
    • “There were huge glitches in the graphics and at one point the gameplay mechanic for a certain level completely broke, making it impossible for me to progress, so I had to get it refunded.”
    • “Backbone not only had a large number of visual glitches, but some that actively stop or mess with your progression, such as dialogue boxes skipping themselves or being unable to click a response option.”
  • replayability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with most players noting that it offers little beyond achievement hunting and exploring different dialogue options. While some appreciate the intriguing story and art, many feel that the lack of branching paths and unskippable cutscenes significantly hampers the potential for multiple playthroughs. The consensus suggests that while there is some replay value, it may not justify the game's price given its short duration and minimal changes in subsequent runs.

    • “Fortunately, the game has an interesting story and good replay value.”
    • “The art was really amazing, and I appreciate the hidden achievements, which add a little replay value.”
    • “Regarding the dialogue, this game does have replay value because there are many options to choose from.”
    • “The game itself is short, about 3-4 hours worth of gameplay with no replayability unless you're going to go for all achievements.”
    • “Not much replayability since it is a mystery game, so once you know how everything comes together, that's kind of it.”
    • “However, the lack of any replayability makes it a hard sell for $25 when you'll probably only get one run out of it between 3-5 hours.”
  • grinding
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game significantly detracts from the overall experience, with players noting a shift from an engaging narrative to a tedious and drawn-out gameplay that feels like a chore. The lack of chapter selects further exacerbates the issue, making achievement hunting frustrating. Overall, the grinding is described as a major flaw that undermines the game's potential.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Luckily, there are no tedious mini-games, but sometimes it felt a little too much like a movie.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story goes from a classic tension-filled noir to grinding to an absolute halt about midway.”
    • “It then gets so tedious I was literally checking my watch as the story crawled on and everything ends unresolved.”
    • “And as the game continues to become darker and depressing, the gameplay feels pointless and tedious rather than engaging.”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally praised for its beautiful performance and stunning visuals, particularly in its 8-bit aesthetic. However, some users report a noticeable delay in input response, which can detract from the experience. Overall, performance may vary depending on the player's hardware, with some experiencing smooth gameplay while others encounter stuttering.

    • “The scene is absolutely gorgeous and the atmosphere is only amplified by the ‘live’ performance that the game allows players to sit through. The ambiance of people chattering away and glasses clinking together made me wish there were more levels like it.”
    • “The music fits the tone well with good performance on the few ones with lyrics.”
    • “...and what a beautiful performance it turned out to be.”
    • “It may be the performance, but it feels like everything registers 0.5 seconds after input.”
    • “The game has a heavily 8-bit look, and depending on the rig, it may run well without any stuttering.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and inconsistent performance.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for misleading advertising and broken promises, leading to disappointment among players who expected a different experience. While it is not viewed as a typical cash grab, the disconnect between marketing and the actual content has significantly impacted user satisfaction.

    • “With the added context of broken promises and disingenuous advertising, it's a disaster.”
    • “But in the end, it wasn't anything near what it was advertising itself as.”
    • “I think it's almost entirely a matter of advertisement, why people are unhappy with it.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Tails Noir

5h Median play time
7h Average play time
4-7h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Tails Noir

Games Like Tails Noir

Backbone Image
Tails Noir: Prologue Image
Nobody Wants to Die Image
Vampire: The Masquerade - Coteries of New York Image
Lacuna Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Tails Noir is a role playing game with mystery and thriller themes.

Tails Noir is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Tails Noir.

Tails Noir was released on June 8, 2021.

Tails Noir was developed by Eggnut.

Tails Noir has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Tails Noir is a single player game.

Similar games include Backbone, Tails Noir: Prologue, Nobody Wants to Die, Vampire: The Masquerade - Coteries of New York, Lacuna and others.