Tattletail
- December 28, 2016
- Waygetter Electronics
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Tattletail" is a single-player Horror Action game with sensational mechanics, fantastic graphics, and good music. You play as the owner of a talking toy from the 90s, attempting to keep it out of trouble until Christmas day while avoiding its recalled mother. The game is both intriguing with its story and atmosphere, and will make you laugh despite the lots of grinding and scary moments. A free DLC campaign, "The Kaleidoscope", is also included.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Tattletail combines nostalgia and horror effectively, creating a unique and engaging experience.
- The sound design and atmosphere are standout features, enhancing the tension and immersion.
- The gameplay mechanics, involving managing Tattletail's needs while avoiding Mama, add a layer of strategy and challenge.
- The game is relatively short, with a playtime of about 1-2 hours, which may leave players wanting more.
- Some players find the mechanics repetitive, particularly the need to constantly tend to Tattletail.
- The final night can be frustratingly difficult, with a lack of checkpoints leading to potential annoyance.
- gameplay224 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Tattletail is characterized by its unique mechanics that blend horror and strategy, requiring players to manage the needs of their Tattletail toy while avoiding the menacing Mama. Players appreciate the straightforward controls and engaging atmosphere, though some note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth over time. Overall, the game successfully combines tension and fun, making it a memorable experience for horror fans.
“It's a simple game but offers intense gameplay.”
“Tattletail is great for many reasons, it has a compelling narrative leaving so many questions, beautiful art direction that clearly had been beautifully thought out beforehand, and some solid gameplay that just leaves you wanting so much more of it.”
“The gameplay keeps you on your toes, having to rush to take care of your loud, obnoxious virtual pet while you are being hunted down by 'mama', an antagonist that still gives me the creeps.”
“However, some aspects of the gameplay can feel repetitive at times, resulting in a slightly diminished level of enjoyment.”
“Sadly, however, the gameplay I enjoyed throughout the game turns sour on Christmas Eve due to an unforgiving checkpoint system.”
“The gameplay gets repetitive, the story is rather short, and it's not overly terrifying for a survival horror game.”
- story175 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of Tattletail is a captivating blend of horror and nostalgia, centered around a child who opens a cursed Christmas toy, leading to a chilling quest filled with dark secrets and eerie encounters. While the narrative is straightforward and occasionally leaves players wanting more depth, it effectively builds suspense and atmosphere, making it a standout in the indie horror genre. Many players appreciate its unique premise and the way it intertwines gameplay mechanics with storytelling, though some feel the story could benefit from further expansion.
“The premise of the game is simple yet captivating: you’re a child on a quest to take care of your Tattletail, a vibrant, talkative toy that feels eerily alive.”
“As you delve deeper into the story, you'll uncover dark secrets hidden within the walls of your home, leading to a shocking climax that will leave you reeling.”
“The story is at once hilarious and terrifying, and an oddly appropriate homage to the robotic toy trends of the 90s.”
“There's also the clear lack of a coherent story which I feel detracts from the game's brilliant concept and design.”
“The gameplay gets repetitive, the story is rather short and it's not overly terrifying for a survival horror game.”
“The linear nature of the story and limited alternate paths restrict the game's replay value.”
- graphics101 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic 90s aesthetic, featuring vibrant colors and a unique VHS effect that enhances the horror atmosphere. Many players appreciate the art style and design, noting that it effectively combines cute elements with darker themes, creating a bittersweet experience. While some mention minor performance issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics are impressive for an indie title, contributing significantly to the game's charm and immersion.
“The nostalgic 90s aesthetic, from the art style to the vibrant colors, immediately draws you in, evoking memories of childhood wonder.”
“The visuals are meticulously crafted, capturing the essence of both nostalgic Christmas aesthetics and eerie horror settings.”
“The art style in Tattletail is unquestionably top-notch, deserving a perfect 10/10 rating.”
“The graphics are subpar at best, but the atmosphere created from the first moments of the game really set the tone for later.”
“Graphics are dated, but the gameplay makes up for it just fine.”
“Fun to play but one thing, it's a bit slow to load and when I move it's also very slow and so are the graphics.”
- atmosphere78 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Tattletail" is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the gameplay. Players appreciate the combination of eerie sound design, retro visuals, and clever mechanics that enhance the horror experience, making it a standout title in the genre. While some reviews note that the game leans more on atmosphere than jump scares, the overall consensus is that it successfully captures a creepy, nostalgic vibe that keeps players engaged and on edge.
“The joyful chattering of Tattletail and the atmospheric sounds create an immersive experience that draws you deeper into its world.”
“With its atmospheric world, clever gameplay mechanics, and chilling narrative, it stands as a shining example of what the genre can achieve.”
“The atmosphere is perfect in creating a sense of unease in the player, and it differs from the typical run-away-from-the-monster game by presenting the challenge of having to keep Tattletail's needs met at the same time.”
“Not only is it extremely tedious, but it goes nowhere with the atmosphere it sets up; it's really easy when you figure out what to do, but you get attacked every few seconds, so it's just the same thing happening over and over again. It's boring, confusing, and not scary.”
“The graphics are subpar at best, but the atmosphere created from the first moments of the game really set the tone for later.”
“Mama Tattletail seems to show up whenever she feels like and just kind of teleports around the house. While the atmosphere and buildup for Mama is actually sort of cool, the jumpscare is weak.”
- music42 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a tense and immersive atmosphere, effectively heightening the sense of danger during gameplay. Reviewers highlight the unique combination of ambient sounds and dramatic musical cues that enhance the horror experience, particularly during chase sequences with the character "mama." While the soundtrack is generally well-received, some players note that the repetitive nature of certain musical elements can become tiresome over time.
“The ambiance and the horrifying stinger music that gradually gets more and more intense whenever Mama Tattletail is near never fails to make me antsy.”
“The music really captures your fight or flight response and makes you feel as if you are in danger.”
“The ambiance and the horrifying stinger music that gradually gets more and more intense whenever mama Tattletail is near never fails to make me antsy.”
“The sound design is what I love most about this game; the music is so unsettling, and the chase music is so intense.”
“But I don't think calling it 'story-driven' is totally accurate, and the constantly escalating stinger ambiance music wears thin after a while, though where sound design is concerned I will applaud the devs for not using a horrible screaming noise every single time you die.”
- humor37 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in Tattletail is a standout feature, with players praising the toy's quirky dialogue and playful personality, which adds a lighthearted touch to the horror experience. Many find the juxtaposition of funny moments and jump scares to be both entertaining and memorable, making the game a unique blend of comedy and fright. Overall, the game's humor is described as clever and engaging, contributing significantly to its appeal.
“Each interaction with Tattletail is filled with warmth and humor, as the toy’s playful personality shines through in its quirky dialogue.”
“The story is at once hilarious and terrifying, and an oddly appropriate homage to the robotic toy trends of the 90s.”
“One of the best horror games I have ever played -- somehow both funny and frightening, yet unlike most games that fit those categories, also very difficult to put down.”
- replayability21 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the multiple endings and secrets that encourage exploration, while others find it limited due to its short length and linear story. While certain aspects, like achievements and multiplayer experiences, can enhance replay value, many reviewers note that once the game is completed, there isn't much incentive to play again. Overall, the replayability varies significantly among players, with some finding it enjoyable and others feeling it falls short.
“The game's multiple endings add replay value, encouraging you to explore different paths and discover all the secrets it has to offer.”
“Tons of fun, replayable, and strikes the right balance of cute and creepy.”
“Def has replay value, especially if you didn't get all the eggs the first time like me, lmao.”
“I honestly can't find something bad about this game, other than the fact that it's quite short and after you completed the game it's not very replayable.”
“The linear nature of the story and limited alternate paths restrict the game's replay value.”
“But it's only an hour to an hour and a half long on one playthrough, and there is virtually no replay value to be found here.”
- grinding19 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 58 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be polarizing; while some players find it adds suspense and enhances the horror experience, many others describe it as tedious, repetitive, and ultimately boring. The constant grinding noise can create tension, but it often leads to frustration, especially for new players, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Not only is it extremely tedious, but it goes nowhere with the atmosphere it sets up. It's really easy when you figure out what to do, but you get attacked every few seconds, so it's just the same thing happening over and over again. It's boring, confusing, and not scary.”
“This horror game, while interesting at first, becomes boring, tedious, and annoying with the titular character, Tattletail, being the most annoying thing since the Minions.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting that it runs smoothly on both "performance" and "quality" settings, even on lower-end PCs. However, some users report minor performance issues, particularly on older systems, and specific complaints about features like lens flare affecting performance. While the graphics are praised, there are criticisms regarding mouse sensitivity and some performance inconsistencies.
“The graphics look great and are very resource-intensive, so if you have a low-end PC, with the 'performance' graphic setting you'll be good. I don't even feel a difference between the two graphic settings.”
“Overall, solid 8.5/10 - p.”
“They run smoothly.”
“If I had to have any criticisms, it would definitely be performance.”
“No option to turn off lens flare (tanks performance for a low-end PC).”
“My only complaint is the sensitivity on the mouse... I have it on the lowest setting and the graphics set to performance standards, and looking around is still jerky and annoying, which takes away from the game a bit.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Tattletail is praised for its emotional depth, blending nostalgia with a unique mix of joy and fear that resonates deeply with players. The game evokes strong feelings, from happiness to terror, creating a memorable experience that leaves players longing to relive it. Its grainy visuals and haunting voice lines enhance the emotional impact, making it both heartwarming and unsettling.
“What truly sets Tattletail apart is the emotional depth woven into its narrative.”
“Ultimately, Tattletail is more than just a game; it’s a heartfelt reminder of the magic of toys and the joys of childhood, layered with an unexpected twist of nostalgia and fear.”
“Nothing has ever left me so emotionally attached to a game; I wish I could play this again for the first time.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, "Tattletail" is regarded as a stable game with minimal major bugs or glitches, though some players have reported occasional interaction issues that can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While most users have not encountered significant problems, a few have faced persistent loading screen issues and other minor glitches that detract from their enjoyment.
“Especially if you got the super old first model that were quite literally stacked full of glitches which make you think your dead crazy uncle just possessed one in the middle of the night to annoy you.”
“- sometimes interaction can be buggy, delaying you, thus causing you to get caught by mama like nuts... *shudder*”
“Help me, I can get in the game every time I get in the game I'm stuck on the loading screen and it's bugged. I want my money back or a fix because I'm tired of it; this always glitches and then my screen turns black.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its impressive design and the immersive atmosphere it creates, highlighting how these elements enhance the overall gaming experience.
“The lighting effects, character designs, and overall atmosphere contribute to an immersive and visually stunning experience that adds another layer of depth to the game.”
“I think it's great character design on the creator's part.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived positively, as it avoids targeting children and instead focuses on delivering a genuine experience rather than exploiting players for profit.
