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Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why Game Cover
81%Game Brain Score
story, emotional
grinding, stability
81% User Score Based on 7,592 reviews
Critic Score 79%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassCloudXbox OneXbox Cloud GamingWindows
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Tell Me Why Game Cover

About

Tell Me Why is a single player action adventure game with drama and mystery themes. It was developed by DONTNOD Entertainment and was released on August 27, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Tell Me Why" is an episodic narrative adventure game that follows twins Alyson and Tyler Ronan as they return to their rural Alaska home to confront their past and unlock family secrets. The game explores themes of memory, trauma, and identity, and features smooth dialogue and stunning visuals. Players will make choices that impact the twins' relationship and the game's outcome.

Genres & Tags
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Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
Tell Me Why screenshot
+4
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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,592 reviews
story2.8k positive mentions
grinding50 negative mentions
  • The game features genuinely good trans male representation, making it a significant step forward in LGBTQ+ representation in gaming.
  • The memory mechanic is innovative and adds depth to the storytelling, allowing players to explore different perspectives on past events.
  • The story becomes progressively more engaging, with emotional depth and well-developed characters that resonate with players.
  • The pacing is quite slow at times, which can lead to moments of boredom and disengagement from the story.
  • Some players found the side characters to be uninteresting and lacking depth, making it hard to care about their arcs.
  • The gameplay can be frustrating, with awkward controls and repetitive tasks that detract from the overall experience.
  • story
    6,524 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Tell Me Why" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its emotional depth and representation of LGBTQ+ themes, particularly through the character of Tyler, a transgender man. Players found the narrative engaging, exploring complex themes of trauma, grief, and family dynamics, often highlighting the impact of choices on character relationships. However, some criticized the pacing as slow and the plot as predictable, feeling that the story could have been more compelling and less reliant on dialogue-heavy interactions. Overall, while the storytelling is seen as a strong point, opinions vary on its execution and emotional resonance.

    • “The story got progressively better as the game went on and was really engaging.”
    • “The choices you make truly shape the story and the ending, which kept me invested throughout.”
    • “Beautiful game and storytelling, the way it explores grief and healing felt very real.”
    • “Boring storyline, boring main characters, boring side characters, boring missions, lame game.”
    • “The storybook theme quickly becomes stupid and childish, and the constant back-and-forth commentary during exploration ruins immersion.”
    • “The plot pacing is frustrating too — characters take forever to realize the obvious, choices barely matter, and whatever you pick, the story still ends up the same.”
  • emotional
    1,035 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Tell Me Why" is widely praised for its depth and resonance, with many players noting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its exploration of themes like family trauma, identity, and healing. The narrative, centered around the twin protagonists Tyler and Alyson, is described as both touching and heartbreaking, often leading players to tears as they navigate the complexities of their past. While some critiques mention pacing issues and a lack of impactful choices, the overall consensus highlights the game's emotional storytelling and character development as standout features that leave a lasting impression.

    • “The game is on the shorter side, but it still manages to deliver a meaningful and emotional journey.”
    • “The sister was also very well done in portraying severe emotional trauma and PTSD; some of her scenes left me on the edge of my seat when she was suffering a panic attack.”
    • “Tell Me Why is a beautifully crafted narrative adventure that explores identity, memory, and family with emotional depth and maturity.”
    • “Extremely slow and boring story line, as well as glitchy animations.”
    • “If you are thinking that this game will be as good as Life is Strange, you will be disappointed; boring story, the drama sucks, there is barely any gameplay when you interact with things, and it's like watching a mediocre Netflix series.”
    • “I fell asleep 3 times in the first 35 minutes of the game; the game tells an extremely boring story about 2 sisters.”
  • graphics
    983 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Tell Me Why" have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and atmospheric detail, particularly in the depiction of the Alaskan landscapes. While many reviewers noted improvements over previous titles from Dontnod, some pointed out minor technical issues and animation glitches. Overall, the game's art style and graphical fidelity contribute significantly to its immersive storytelling experience, making it a visually captivating title despite some criticisms regarding character animations and performance on lower-end systems.

    • “The graphics are stunning, capturing the beauty of the surroundings and enhancing the overall atmospheric quality.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, and everywhere you look, the backdrop is a vista worthy of a painting, begging you to explore it.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely amazing and made me want to explore everything I possibly could; I never felt like I had to, but rather I wanted to.”
    • “Visually, the graphics are mediocre; it feels like a game from 2010, and the lack of any real physics makes the world feel even more lifeless.”
    • “The graphics were of low quality for a 2020 title.”
    • “The textures on many objects appeared very muddy, and this is problematic because all you do in this game is look at stuff; ergo, if everything looks horrible, you're not achieving any sort of aesthetic fulfillment.”
  • gameplay
    958 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "Tell Me Why" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its slow pacing and minimal interactivity, often likening it to a cinematic experience rather than a traditional game. While the unique memory-sharing mechanic adds depth to the narrative, it is frequently criticized for being underutilized and awkward, leading to a gameplay experience that feels tedious and repetitive. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional storytelling and character development, but those seeking engaging gameplay may find it lacking.

    • “The gameplay revolves largely around exploration and dialogue choices, with a unique mechanic called 'supernatural' or 'magical' moments that allow players to access memories and uncover different perspectives on past events.”
    • “The memory mechanic is a nice touch that keeps things interesting.”
    • “The gameplay features are mere accessories.”
    • “The so-called 'memory mechanic' is awkward, and dialogue options feel unresponsive.”
    • “Gameplay itself is painfully slow — and while Dontnod’s games usually take their time, this one drags endlessly.”
    • “The gameplay is minimal—mostly just making simple choices—which makes it feel more like watching a TV show than playing a game.”
  • music
    430 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Tell Me Why" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and emotional qualities that enhance the game's narrative. While some players found the soundtrack beautiful and well-integrated, others felt it was forgettable compared to previous titles from Dontnod, lacking memorable tracks and variety. Overall, the music effectively supports the game's tone but may not leave a lasting impression for all players.

    • “The soundtrack is nothing short of breathtaking.”
    • “The soundtrack and ambient sounds further immerse players in the game’s atmosphere, blending melancholy with hope and grounding the story’s emotional beats in a compelling soundscape.”
    • “The music beautifully underscores key moments, enhancing the overall atmosphere and drawing players deeper into the story.”
    • “The soundtrack wasn't anything special; it's a bit disappointing. I expected more since this is something Dontnod is known to nail.”
    • “Music is very infrequent in this game, and only plays during certain cinematic parts.”
    • “The music in 'Tell Me Why' deserves special mention, seamlessly fitting the moods and settings throughout the game.”
  • atmosphere
    170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Tell Me Why" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive Alaskan landscapes, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. Players appreciate the detailed environments and character interactions that create a rich, contemplative experience, although some note that the pacing can detract from the overall engagement. Overall, the game successfully captures a melancholic yet beautiful atmosphere, making it a memorable journey for fans of narrative-driven adventures.

    • “Philosophy aside, this is a stunning and atmospheric game with memorable characters, a beautiful soundtrack, and a deep, nuanced story about strong family bonds and the fascinating twists of memory.”
    • “The game weaves a rich story that deals with complex themes such as trauma, grief, and the search for truth, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of a small Alaskan town.”
    • “The environments—from the small Alaskan town to the siblings’ childhood home—are beautifully crafted and full of atmosphere.”
    • “After giving 'Tell Me Why' a go, I must unfortunately say that the game lacks the atmosphere and that sort of 'magical' setting of the previous Dontnod games that I fell in love with.”
    • “I understand they were trying to build up the atmosphere and they were successful at times, but the slow pace really got to me and bored me out of my mind.”
    • “Don't get me wrong; the soundscape is functional and I never found myself wondering where the aural atmosphere was, but at the same time I didn't find myself yearning to hear any of it again.”
  • grinding
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews consistently highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is marked by tedious tasks, slow pacing, and unskippable cutscenes, leading to a monotonous experience. Players often found exploration and puzzle-solving to be frustratingly repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the story. While some appreciated the narrative and visuals, many felt that the gameplay mechanics unnecessarily prolonged the experience, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging adventure.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Tedious tasks, aimless exploration, and dialogue that felt like two customer service agents arguing over hold music.”
    • “All in all a very tedious game - played for a few hours and just couldn't handle anymore of the slow drag and tiresome flashbacks.”
    • “The puzzles were tedious and elicited a loud groan from me every time they came up.”
  • character development
    77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in "Tell Me Why" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in exploring themes of trauma, identity, and sibling relationships. While many reviewers highlight the strong writing and character arcs, some express disappointment in the unevenness of development across characters, particularly in relation to the game's pacing and narrative choices. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling storytelling and the significant impact of its character development on players' emotional experiences.

    • “Its focus on character development, the bond between siblings, and the impact of past traumas creates a compelling narrative experience that resonates long after the game ends.”
    • “The character development is incredible - I feel like they were willing to explore the more grizzly sides of grief, especially when that grief is centered around a parent.”
    • “The character development and the exploration of the past, added to the supernatural connection between brother and sister, makes this game an experience worth savoring.”
    • “The lack of depth in character development makes it difficult to empathize with their struggles, and the dialogue choices, which should enhance the experience, often feel inconsequential.”
    • “Weak plot twists, writing, and character development belie the complexities of the themes being covered, making for a mostly surface-level and hollow experience.”
    • “Sadly, this is where it ends, and very little character development in this area happens later in the episodes.”
  • replayability
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the emotional depth and multiple endings that encourage second playthroughs, while others criticize the limited impact of choices on the overall narrative. Many agree that while the initial experience is engaging, the short length and lack of significant variation in outcomes diminish its long-term replay value. Overall, it seems best suited for those who enjoy exploring different story paths or collecting items rather than for players seeking substantial replayability.

    • “It's not long (finished the game in about 12 hours) but it's definitely replayable and seriously, the story is so good, and makes you question your own perception about things too...”
    • “The choices feel weighty and contribute to the game's replay value as players explore alternative paths.”
    • “I'd highly recommend this if you're looking for a deep and emotional story to lose yourself in, the game itself also has high replay value to see all the stuff you might have missed the first time, and with the game's handy chapter system you don't even have to play the whole game again if that's more your style.”
    • “No real replayability—choices barely change the ending.”
    • “There is very little replay value, so you'll almost definitely just be doing the one playthrough which is about 12 hours.”
    • “While the illusion of choice is present, the game ultimately funnels the player towards a predetermined outcome, resulting in a lack of replayability.”
  • optimization
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and minimal technical issues, allowing it to run well even on lower-end systems. While the graphics are visually stunning, some users noted minor audio stuttering and occasional hiccups in facial animations. Despite mixed feelings about the voice acting quality, the game is generally regarded as well-optimized, providing a polished experience that stands out in its genre.

    • “The game looks amazing and is very well optimized.”
    • “This game stands out as the epitome of polished performance and optimization within its genre that I've ever encountered.”
    • “Graphically it's stunning and is a real eye candy; it also plays so smooth and the performance is flawless (great PC port).”
    • “Unfortunately, technical performance doesn’t live up to the visuals.”
    • “Boring, performance issues, bad writing.”
    • “This is compounded with the fact that the voice acting is very mediocre in this game, with the majority of the cast coming across as apathetic in their performances; only Alyson managed to come across as solid.”
  • humor
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of heartwarming and awkward moments, with characters delivering both cringe-worthy and genuinely funny dialogue. While some players appreciated the subtle humor and rich character interactions, others felt that the game could have benefited from more comedic elements. Overall, the humor contributes to a blend of emotional experiences, making players laugh and cry throughout the narrative.

    • “I enjoyed finding all the little secrets and the dialogue was both heartwarming and funny.”
    • “You'll find yourself laughing and crying alongside the characters, as if you were part of their world.”
    • “Brilliant characters, funny, rich dialogues - this game is absolutely fantastic.”
  • stability
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and slow performance that can disrupt gameplay and immersion. While some users experienced minor issues, such as graphical glitches and audio sync problems, others faced more significant challenges, including freezes and game-breaking bugs that required restarts. Overall, while the technical aspects need improvement, the strong narrative and engaging story help mitigate some of the frustrations caused by these stability issues.

    • “No glitches, no bugs, no frame drops, no microstutters.”
    • “It also runs great on my rather old PC, and I got it on sale, so it was totally worth it.”
    • “At the moment, it is nearly bug-free even though it is shortly after release.”
    • “Very slow and buggy; you have to click everything several times to get memories to open, chats to close, etc. and then you can't continue to chapter 2 & 3.”
    • “Some game-breaking glitches requiring a restart were present, and no cutscene skip makes that really horrible in some spots.”
    • “Game is buggy; animations take forever to reset after interacting with things, and so many other detail issues that broke my immersion in this story. It feels like another month or two of development was all it would take to finish this.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users expressing disdain for episodic releases and concerns about potential exploitative practices similar to those of major publishers like EA. However, the game is currently free and lacks microtransactions, which some players appreciate, despite feeling that it may exploit social themes for marketing purposes. Overall, while the absence of traditional monetization methods is noted, the game's content and presentation have raised questions about its intentions.

    • “I hate episodic releases of games. I don't want everyone following EA's style of monetization. I got this one for free; otherwise, I would never have played it.”
    • “I feel like this game was a monetization of LGBTQ+ rights. However, it is free at the moment, but I don't recommend adding it to your library.”
    • “Normally, you can expect a free game to have microtransactions or poor quality, but this game doesn't have any of that.”
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79%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
10h Average play time
10h Main story
13h Completionist
3-13h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Tell Me Why is a action adventure game with drama and mystery themes.

Tell Me Why is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 10 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 13 hours to finish. On average players spend around 10 hours playing Tell Me Why.

Tell Me Why was released on August 27, 2020.

Tell Me Why was developed by DONTNOD Entertainment.

Tell Me Why has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Tell Me Why is a single player game.

Similar games include Life is Strange, Life is Strange: True Colors, Life is Strange 2, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Life is Strange: Before the Storm and others.