Tattletail

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,928 reviews

gameplay158 positive mentions

grinding22 negative mentions

gameplay
448 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
4%
The gameplay of Tattletail is characterized by its unique mechanics that blend horror and strategy, requiring players to manage the needs of their virtual pet while avoiding the menacing "Mama." Many reviews highlight the game's engaging atmosphere, clever sound-based mechanics, and the tension created by the need for stealth and resource management, although some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth over time. Overall, Tattletail is praised for its fun and immersive experience, making it a noteworthy entry in the horror genre.
- “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.”
- “But what truly sets Tattletail apart is its clever use of gameplay mechanics to ratchet up the tension.”
- “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.”
- “I don't really get the point and the mechanics are bad, so this one gets a thumbs down from me.”
- “The gameplay gets repetitive, the story is rather short and it's not overly terrifying for a survival horror game.”
- “The game map feels very small, the monster isn't scary, and the mechanics are silly.”
story
350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The story of Tattletail is a captivating blend of horror and nostalgia, centered around a child who opens a Christmas present early, unleashing a creepy toy and its menacing counterpart, Mama. While the narrative is straightforward and intriguing, it leaves much to the imagination, with players uncovering dark secrets through gameplay and environmental storytelling. Despite some critiques regarding its brevity and occasional vagueness, many players appreciate the unique premise and the unsettling atmosphere it creates.
- “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.”
- “Tattletail probably has the most compelling storyline of any indie horror game ever.”
- “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.”
graphics
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
50%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic 90s aesthetic, vibrant colors, and unique VHS effects, which enhance the overall horror experience. Many players appreciate the meticulous art direction and the way it captures both a cute and eerie atmosphere, although some suggest adjusting settings for optimal performance. Overall, the visuals are considered 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.”
- “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.”
- “Graphics are dated, but the gameplay makes up for it just fine.”
atmosphere
156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The atmosphere of Tattletail is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke nostalgia while maintaining a creepy, retro vibe, enhanced by atmospheric sounds and music that keep players on edge. Overall, the game is recognized for its strong focus on atmosphere over traditional jump scares, making it a standout title in the horror genre.
- “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 was simply fantastic; it kept me on my seat, something most horror games just couldn't comprehend. The sounds and spooky effects always kept the feeling eerie and creepy, which should always be a pro for games like these.”
- “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 (sometimes boxing you in completely), and while the atmosphere and buildup for Mama is actually sort of cool, the jumpscare is weak.”
music
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
80%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a tense and unsettling atmosphere, effectively enhancing the horror experience with suspenseful cues and dramatic stingers that signal danger. Reviewers note that the sound design, including the chase music and ambient sounds, plays a crucial role in building suspense and evoking a fight-or-flight response, although some feel that the repetitive nature of certain tracks can become tiresome over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong element that contributes significantly to the game's immersive and eerie ambiance.
- “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.”
humor
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Tattletail is a standout feature, with players praising the toy's quirky dialogue and playful personality, which adds warmth to the horror experience. Many find the juxtaposition of humor and scares clever, making the game both funny and frightening, while the nostalgic 90s aesthetic enhances its charm. Overall, the game's ability to evoke laughter amidst tension has made it a memorable and enjoyable experience for players.
- “Each interaction with Tattletail is filled with warmth and humor, as the toy’s playful personality shines through in its quirky dialogue.”
- “This is probably the most clever and funny horror game I have ever played.”
- “The story is at once hilarious and terrifying, and an oddly appropriate homage to the robotic toy trends of the 90s.”
replayability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
52%
14%
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. Many agree that while it can be fun to replay with friends, the overall replay value diminishes after completing the game and achieving all objectives. Overall, it offers some replay potential, but it may not sustain long-term interest for all players.
- “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.”
- “I'm also very happy about the amount of replayability this game has.”
- “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.”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
58%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, leading to boredom rather than suspense. While some appreciate the atmospheric tension created by the grinding noises, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making gameplay feel unnecessarily drawn out and frustrating. Overall, the grinding mechanic may appeal to some for its horror elements, but it risks alienating players who prefer a more engaging and varied gameplay experience.
- “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.”
optimization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
The game's optimization is generally well-received, with most 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 related to specific graphical effects like lens flare, which can hinder performance on less powerful systems. Overall, while the graphics are resource-intensive, the game is considered optimized for a range of hardware, though some players experience jerky mouse sensitivity.
- “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.”
- “(A few minor performance issues on older systems, but nothing crazy) overall, solid 8.5/10.”
- “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.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Tattletail is praised for its profound emotional depth, blending nostalgia with elements of fear and childhood magic. Players report feeling a strong emotional attachment, often experiencing a mix of happiness and terror, which creates a unique and heartwarming atmosphere that encourages repeated play. The game's grainy visuals and haunting voice lines enhance this emotional experience, leaving a lasting impact on players.
- “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.”
- “From its grainy visual style to the hauntingly familiar voice lines, Tattletail nicely delivers a blend of nostalgia and fresh emotional damage.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting minimal major bugs or glitches. However, some players have experienced frustrating issues, such as loading screen freezes and interaction delays that can lead to unexpected jumpscares. While the game is considered solid by many, a few users have encountered significant stability problems that detract from their experience.
- “Especially if you got the super old first model that was quite literally stacked full of glitches, which makes 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 crazy... *shudder*”
- “Help me, I can get in the game, but every time I do, 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 development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers praise the character development for its impressive design and the immersive atmosphere it creates, highlighting how the visual elements enhance the overall depth of the game. The attention to detail in character design is particularly noted as a strong point by players.
- “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.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived positively, as it avoids targeting children and instead focuses on delivering a genuine, immersive experience rather than resorting to exploitative practices.