Tangle Tower
- October 22, 2019
- SFB Games
- 7h median play time
"Tangle Tower" is a puzzling adventure game where players explore a creepy mansion to solve a murder mystery. Interrogate eccentric suspects, gather clues, and solve intricate puzzles to uncover the truth. With hand-drawn art and a witty script, this game offers a captivating and immersive experience.
Reviews
- Beautiful art style and animations that bring the characters and environments to life.
- Engaging story with quirky and memorable characters, enhanced by excellent voice acting.
- Fun and intuitive puzzles that provide a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult.
- The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying, leaving several plot points unresolved.
- Some puzzles can be too easy or lack depth, making the gameplay feel less challenging.
- The game can feel overly guided at times, reducing the sense of player agency in solving the mystery.
- story1,076 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Tangle Tower" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, unique characters, and unexpected plot twists that keep players guessing until the end. However, many reviewers express disappointment with the rushed and unsatisfying conclusion, which leaves several plot holes and unresolved threads. Overall, while the storytelling and character development are strong, the ending detracts from an otherwise captivating experience.
“The story gets more sinister towards the end and has plot twists I would have never expected.”
“The characters are all unique and the story is well fleshed out, not obvious, with some fun, actually unexpected plot twists.”
“The story was interesting and engaging to me.”
“Even if the game was setting up for a sequel, the amount of plot holes is egregious.”
“The plot just kind of falls apart at the end.”
“The story unfortunately feels very underwhelming and disappointing.”
- graphics516 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Tangle Tower" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and charming art style, which combines elements reminiscent of classic cartoons with modern aesthetics. Reviewers highlight the beautiful character designs, smooth animations, and engaging backgrounds that create an immersive atmosphere, complemented by a fitting soundtrack and excellent voice acting. Overall, the visuals are described as a standout feature that enhances the game's quirky narrative and gameplay experience.
“The art style is beautiful and the characters have just the right amount of quirky uniqueness to them to make them interesting and enjoyable.”
“Absolutely stunning visuals and animation - props to the artists!”
“The visuals are vibrant, detailed, and captivating, creating an immersive atmosphere that pulls you right into the mystery.”
“The graphics and humor are well done, everything else is a disappointment.”
“I both did and didn't enjoy the art style compared to the last game.”
“So, because of its charming art style, I decided to purchase this and its predecessor at a discount... this was a mistake.”
- music472 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Tangle Tower" has received widespread acclaim for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the game's immersive experience. Each character and room features unique musical themes that perfectly complement their respective settings, contributing to the overall charm and emotional depth of the game. The soundtrack is described as both beautiful and memorable, making it a standout element alongside the game's stunning visuals and engaging voice acting.
“The music is lovely, the voice acting is great, and the whole mood is both cozy and mysterious.”
“The soundtrack adds depth to each scene, while excellent voice acting breathes life into the characters.”
“The music, art, animation, and writing were all pretty strong in my opinion.”
“The music is kinda meh.”
“While the music and art were charming, the story felt like it ended very abruptly.”
“Playing the game just for its art, soundtrack, and characters isn't a bad idea, but just be forewarned that there is no further payoff.”
- gameplay322 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Tangle Tower" is primarily a point-and-click detective experience that combines simple puzzle-solving with engaging dialogue mechanics, allowing players to piece together clues and interrogate characters. While the puzzles are generally easy and the gameplay can feel somewhat linear or hand-holdy, the charming art style, strong voice acting, and well-developed characters enhance the overall experience. However, some players noted that the ending felt rushed and did not fully satisfy the buildup of the narrative.
“The voice acting, character animations, backgrounds, music, and gameplay are masterful.”
“Beautiful art style, engaging gameplay, and wonderful characters!”
“The gameplay consists of point-and-click mechanics to collect clues and solve puzzles.”
“The gameplay was easy though I have a few nitpicks: the mechanics are straightforward and the puzzles a nice difficulty.”
“Gameplay-wise, it didn't have any overly tedious and pointless segments/puzzles (which most games seem to have).”
“The gameplay is simple and straightforward, and while it might not provide too much of a challenge it's fun and engaging.”
- humor177 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging character interactions, and witty dialogue, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the charming chemistry between the main characters, Grimoire and Sally, whose banter adds a delightful layer to the gameplay. While some players found the humor occasionally forced or less impactful towards the end, the overall consensus is that the game successfully blends humor with mystery, making it an enjoyable experience.
“I love that absolutely everything is clickable and gets a response from the main characters, often a humorous one!”
“The writing is witty and fun and genuinely funny, but also occasionally serious when it needs to be.”
“The characters are unique, funny, and quirky, the art style is very beautiful and I think it's thrilling until the end!”
- character development151 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its vibrant and unique character designs, which are complemented by expressive animations and excellent voice acting. Reviewers appreciate how the character designs reflect individual personalities and contribute to the overall charm and atmosphere of the game, making each character memorable and engaging. While the character development is generally well-received, some players noted that certain aspects could feel underdeveloped or far-fetched, particularly regarding plot twists.
“The character designs and their individual animations were lively and expressive, it added a lot of charm to the game.”
“The beautiful art and character designs coupled with the witty banter and voice acting make each of the characters full of personality and every bit as unique as the rooms, plants, and creatures of Tangle Tower.”
“With dynamic character designs, clever writing, and inspired mechanics, this is the mystery game you've been looking for.”
“I understand the foreshadowing to this character being the murderer, but the character development for the killer is so far-fetched that I am still confused.”
“There was so much more room for character development here.”
“There are a few downsides to the game, such as some suspicions for adding character development but not always servicing the plot or main bit of intrigue.”
- atmosphere87 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant visuals, whimsical art style, and immersive sound design, which together create a captivating and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music and voice acting to enhance the mood, making the game feel both mysterious and charming. Overall, the combination of detailed animations, intriguing characters, and a rich narrative contributes to a memorable and atmospheric adventure that resonates with players.
“The visuals are vibrant, detailed, and captivating, creating an immersive atmosphere that pulls you right into the mystery.”
“The atmosphere transitions very well between locations and the art style is firm, not to mention the amazing bits of animation accompanying strong character designs.”
“The music, a delightful waltz of jazzy notes and whimsical melodies, twirls around you, creating an atmosphere that is both playful and mysterious.”
“Unfortunately this game doesn't have the cutscenes that the previous game had, which were the best looking part of that game, but this game doesn't really need them with how expressive all of the characters are and the intimate atmosphere of the Tangle Tower.”
“You might want to play this during the day or with somebody else if eerie atmospheres can frighten you.”
“The atmosphere of the story can be mysteriously eerie, but so intriguing and worth playing through.”
- emotional29 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Tangle Tower" is highlighted by its compelling character relationships and a strong narrative that resonates with players, leaving a lasting impact. While the game balances humor and heartwarming moments, some players felt the ending was rushed and left unresolved questions, detracting from the overall emotional payoff. Nevertheless, the engaging puzzles and character depth contribute to a satisfying and memorable experience.
“There is a strong emotional core to Tangle Tower that lingered with me long after playing the game for the first time.”
“The lore of the tower, mixed in with the emotional relationships between characters as well as the curious case of the murder, makes for a fun and interesting game for anyone.”
“Tangle Tower is a remarkable game that has left an emotional impact on me with its multiple elements.”
- optimization23 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is praised for its stunning visuals, well-written dialogue, and exceptional voice acting that brings characters to life. While the overall performance is sharp and polished, some users noted minor issues, such as suboptimal mouse controls and occasional translation flaws. Overall, the game's artistic and auditory elements are highly regarded, contributing to a rich and engaging experience.
“The voice acting is some of the best you will hear in games, each actor fully inhabiting the character with diverse and quirky performances.”
“And it's all spiced up by a surprising amount of polish: the animations, the dialogues, the music, the voiceover performances, and amazing background art.”
“Not really optimized to play with a mouse, the 2nd chapter is longer than all the others combined, and I found the German translation to be rather sloppy at times, but that's about the worst thing I encountered while playing, nothing major.”
“The strong performance holds the game up but it is disappointing to know going into the recently announced follow-up, 'The Mermaid's Tongue', that this story is closed and boy does it end on an unsatisfactory climax.”
“Most impressive, however, Tangle Tower boasts a fully voice acted script with well-written dialogue, delivered naturally without any phoned-in performances or weirdly emphasized lines that sound like they were read divorced of their context in the conversation.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many reviewers noting that once the story and side content are completed, there is little incentive to play again. While some players found enjoyment in revisiting the game for its art and details, the consensus is that it lacks the depth and unique content that typically enhance replay value. Despite its charm and quality, the game is best experienced as a one-time playthrough rather than a title to return to repeatedly.
“Detective Grimoire and Tangle Tower have helped me redefine what a 'good game' is. For me, somewhere around the original Xbox to now, the quality of a game has been measured significantly based on its replayability and the unique content it offers.”
“I remember collecting all the flags in Assassin's Creed, all the bobbleheads in the Fallouts, and grinding camos in COD or safes in 'Payday.' A lot of that made me think those were good games: they have replayability and a lot of content to access and discover.”
“For a point-and-click murder mystery, I think that indicates a fairly high level of replayability—or at least, characters compelling enough that we want to meet them again.”
“In my opinion, the price is a tad steep for what it is, especially since the replay value of a game like this is pretty low, so I'd wait for a sale to pick this up. But when on sale, I'd definitely recommend picking it up.”
“The biggest downsides I could mention are probably: inability to lose (though it does not make the game easy - it still requires some thought), and lack of replayability (once you've completed the story and did the side stuff, there's not much more except the artbook to look through).”
“Unfortunately, there's little to no replay value and the great aspects of this game end up overshadowed by the lack of content.”
- grinding18 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the depth and engagement of collecting clues and interacting with characters, others feel it can become tedious and overwhelming, particularly when trying to question numerous characters about various items. The game offers a balance with enjoyable dialogue and exploration, but the repetitive nature of certain tasks may frustrate those accustomed to more action-oriented gameplay. Overall, the grinding can feel rewarding but may also test players' patience as they progress.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I found the amount of evidence you could question people about overwhelming, and trying every single thing got a bit tedious.”
“The story and characters are weird but boring, and the tedious puzzles and word association have grown tiresome.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a stable gameplay experience with no significant bugs or glitches encountered. However, some players noted a lack of clarity regarding certain game mechanics, which may affect the initial understanding of the interface.