Tender Loving Care

About

Tender Loving Care is a single player casual role playing game with a erotic theme. It was developed by Aftermath Media and was released on March 30, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

"Tender Loving Care" is a psychological thriller adventure game focused on the player's interactions with characters in a mysterious suburban home. The game features a unique "Tender Lovescore" mechanic, where player choices shape their relationship with the protagonist and influence the story's outcome. Psychologist Dr. Turner, played by Michael Hurst, guides players through emotional storylines that blur the line between reality and imagination.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 163 reviews

story26 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Tender Loving Care offers a unique blend of interactive storytelling and psychological exploration, allowing players to engage deeply with the narrative and characters.
The performances, particularly by John Hurt, add a theatrical quality to the experience, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.
The game encourages introspection through its psychological assessments, making each playthrough feel personalized and thought-provoking.

The game suffers from technical issues, including freezing and a lack of a save function, which can lead to frustrating experiences for players.
Many players find the gameplay too passive, as it primarily consists of watching videos and answering questions rather than engaging in traditional gameplay mechanics.
The dated graphics and interface may deter modern players, as the aesthetic does not meet contemporary standards and can feel clunky.

story
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
71%
3%
The story of "Tender Loving Care" centers on Michael and Allison Overton, a couple grappling with the trauma of losing their daughter, and unfolds through a mix of full-motion video segments and player choices that influence the narrative's direction and multiple endings. While the psychological themes and character exploration are engaging, some players found the plot convoluted and the acting inconsistent, leading to moments where the story's impact diminished. Overall, the game is noted for its unique storytelling approach, blending interactive elements with a campy yet compelling narrative that resonates with fans of 90s FMV games.
- “The story revolves around Michael and Allison Overton, a married couple attempting to cope with trauma following a devastating tragedy.”
- “The story is gripping, nuanced, and complex, and the way the bits of information found through exploration (journals, emails, etc.) give you extra insight into the characters and the overall narrative is top-notch.”
- “Your answers actually influence the plot of the movie, and there are 8 different endings that can be achieved - the game's ability to spin the plot into different directions is probably one of its strongest points.”
- “I say this because when you read the personal journals of all the characters, they say things that are just completely removed from what's actually happening in the story, like someone's AU fanfiction about what their favorite character was thinking at this time.”
- “My choices feel like they had no impact on the story whatsoever.”
- “Unfortunately, the story is very contrived. The author was unable to create the intended drama in a believable way, so the nurse has to neglect the most basic rules of her craft, and the husband has to act in a rather immature way, so that the plot can progress toward the dramatic finale.”
gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The gameplay of "tender loving care" is primarily cinematic and narrative-driven, focusing on player interpretation and psychological engagement rather than traditional mechanics. While it offers interactive moments and choices that influence the story, many players find the experience too passive and simplistic, likening it more to an interactive movie than a conventional game. Despite its limitations, the unique storytelling approach and decent production quality may appeal to fans of experimental narratives and FMV games.
- “Rather than offering traditional gameplay built around puzzles or action, Tender Loving Care presents itself as a cinematic narrative shaped by player interpretation and psychological engagement.”
- “For players interested in experimental storytelling and the evolution of interactive cinema, Tender Loving Care offers a compelling glimpse into a unique moment in gaming history, one that prioritized narrative depth and psychological engagement over traditional mechanics.”
- “During gameplay, once in a while you get an FMV of a storyline that is going on, then later you get to interact with the house, being able to view, not just locations, but also items around the house.”
- “These interactive moments are modest in scope, functioning primarily as supplements to the video content rather than as independent gameplay systems.”
- “Others may find the experience too passive, as the lack of traditional gameplay mechanics can create a sense of limited agency.”
- “It was originally a DVD game, so the gameplay is really simple; it's more of an interactive movie than anything else.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and campy charm, with many players finding the dated 90s attitudes and quirky character interactions to be hilariously entertaining. The radio conversations, invasive questions posed by John Hurt, and the overall bizarre narrative contribute to a comedic experience that resonates well with those who appreciate offbeat humor. While the game occasionally shifts from serious to nonsensical, it consistently delivers laugh-out-loud moments that enhance its appeal.
- “This game is worth the purchase for the radio conversations alone; they are extremely funny.”
- “But as a game, it's an insanely hilarious camp-fest featuring John Hurt asking you wildly invasive, sexually probing questions, rippled with classic movie clips and deranged diary entries from the characters.”
- “A weird and funny FMV game where John Hurt asks you sexual questions and a man is pushed to his limits when asked to get pizza and organic herbal shampoo.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game's graphics reflect its retro origins, showcasing low-quality visuals reminiscent of the 80s and 90s, which some players find charming despite their dated appearance. While the aesthetic contributes to the game's authenticity as a multimedia experience, technical issues such as a lack of graphics options and loading problems detract from the overall presentation. Players who appreciate nostalgic FMV assets may enjoy the experience, but the graphics may not appeal to those seeking modern visuals.
- “Visually, the game retains the aesthetic of its era.”
- “However, this aesthetic also contributes to the experience’s authenticity as a preserved multimedia experiment.”
- “Charming in its mid-90s FMV heyday values, the game certainly gets repetitive after a while, but we can't shake off the feeling that no matter the age, FMV assets draw the player into the game much more than modern-day PC graphics.”
- “It'll load purely black with no visuals unless you manually add Linux terminal launch options; that alone should disqualify verified.”
- “There are no graphics options at all.”
- “The game was made a long time ago, but sadly nothing has been done about the original footage, so you know what you get... low quality graphics from the 80s and 90s.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The optimization of the game's performances is generally praised, with standout acting from notable actors like John Hurt, who delivers a compelling portrayal. However, some performances, particularly from less experienced actors, are criticized for lacking depth, which can detract from the overall immersive experience. The combination of live-action and psychological themes creates a unique atmosphere, though inconsistencies in performance quality may affect player engagement.
- “By combining live-action performances, branching outcomes, and psychological questioning, it creates a distinctive and introspective experience.”
- “I found the premise interesting and the acting pretty good for a 90's FMV game - John Hurt delivers the spotless performance that can be expected from him, Esposito conveys his character's emotions well.”
- “Acting is well done overall, but one of the actors who plays a crucial character that is dealing with heavy psychological issues delivers a rather flat and unconvincing performance, which serves to the detriment of the player’s immersion.”
- “Michael Esposito oozes anti-charisma with his performance that most high school theater students would call 'a bit much'.”
- “Acting is well done overall, but one of the actors who plays a crucial character dealing with heavy psychological issues delivers a rather flat and unconvincing performance, which serves to the detriment of the player's immersion.”
- “I found the premise interesting and the acting pretty good for a 90's FMV game - John Hurt delivers the spotless performance that can be expected from him, while Esposito conveys his character's emotions well; however, the women I found less convincing, but that's partly due to the weak script.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it to be repetitive and low in volume, often feeling more like short loops than a cohesive soundtrack. While certain ambient sounds can effectively create tension, the overall musical experience is considered a weak point, leading some players to seek external music for better engagement.
- “Some of the ambient sound or music in the rooms can invoke some serious tension or dread, as well (I'm looking at you, Jody's room).”
- “The acting is decent (lifetime original movie level), the sounds and music are fine.”
- “+ soundtrack”
- “The weakest part of exploration is the soundtrack.”
- “It's not even a soundtrack; it's more like short looped 30 seconds of music with low sound volume.”
- “At times it becomes so annoying when you are reading pages and pages of a book and there is nothing you can hear. I reached a point where I alt+tabbed just to play some music on YouTube to keep me going.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a tense psychological drama that explores complex themes such as grief, manipulation, and intimacy, driven by character psychology and subtle emotional shifts. Players engage with the narrative by observing scenes and reflecting on characters' motivations, which enhances the experience despite some uneven acting. Overall, the story is described as heartbreaking and compelling, filled with psychological thrills and dark themes.
- “Their fragile emotional state becomes the foundation for a tense psychological drama, further complicated by the introduction of a nurse, Katherine Randolph, whose presence alters the dynamic of the household.”
- “These performances lend a theatrical quality to the experience, emphasizing character psychology and subtle emotional shifts rather than overt spectacle.”
- “Thematically, Tender Loving Care explores mature subjects including grief, psychological manipulation, intimacy, and emotional instability.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably problematic, with frequent interface freezes and glitches that can render it unplayable, particularly in the Steam version. Users report needing to restart the game often, and saving during a freeze can lead to persistent issues. Despite these technical difficulties, some players still find the overall experience enjoyable.
- “Occasionally the interface will freeze, and you will need to restart the game. Be sure not to save when it freezes, or it will load back up frozen.”
- “I can barely get into the game when I click on objects, as the game just freezes up and I can't get out of the screen.”
- “I will say I did like the game, but don't play the Steam version; it's very buggy.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variability in interpretations that lead to different scenes and outcomes, others find it limited due to repetitive and similar movie scenes. Overall, enjoyment of replay value seems to depend on individual preferences regarding narrative diversity.
- “I have to say that I really enjoyed this game, and it has some replay value.”
- “As for me, it had very little replay value due to most of the movie scenes being repetitive and similar.”
- “Replay value arises from this variability, as different interpretations can lead to alternative scenes and outcomes.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while searching for items can become tedious and repetitive, some still find it rewarding enough to continue playing through to the end. The limited exploration and interaction with objects contribute to the feeling of monotony, making the grind feel more like a chore at times.
- “In between the cringe-worthy movie clips and seemingly pointless questions, you get to 'explore' the house in a very limited way and interacting with a very limited set of objects, which quickly becomes a tedious chore.”
- “Oddly enough, while this doesn't sound like much fun and seems (and actually is sometimes) a bit tedious, I found myself playing this title all the way to the end in pretty much one go.”
- “It gets a bit tedious to look for them all the time at the same place, but it's sometimes very rewarding to fully check out everything.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a pervasive sense of distrust and ambiguity, effectively creating an illusion of depth and intrigue that keeps players engaged.
- “The atmosphere of distrust and ambiguity goes a long way in fooling you into thinking this game might be doing something interesting or abstract.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
While the acting, particularly John Hurt's narration, is praised, reviewers express a desire for deeper character development and more interactive gameplay elements, such as encountering characters during transitions between rooms.
- “The acting is decent, and John Hurt's narration is excellent, reminding me of Patrick Stewart. I just wish there was a little more character development and perhaps more gameplay elements, like the possibility of encountering characters while transitioning between rooms.”
- “The acting is decent, and John Hurt's narration is excellent, reminding me of Patrick Stewart, but I just wish there was a little more character development and maybe a little more gameplay, like the possibility of being able to run into characters while transitioning from room to room.”