Tooth and Tail

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,398 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Tooth and Tail Game Cover
A beautifully snappy RTS that boasts a great single-player campaign and an endlessly entertaining multiplayer mode, Tooth and Tail is essential for tactical newbies and veterans alike.
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"Tooth and Tail" is a real-time strategy game set in a world of anthropomorphic animals at war. Assemble your forces, dig trenches, and send your animal troops into battle. The game features single-player and multiplayer modes, with a focus on fast-paced, accessible strategy gameplay. Your choices in battle and management of resources will determine your success on the battlefield.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,398 reviews
story470 positive mentions
grinding28 negative mentions
  • Deceptively simple yet offers depth of strategy, making it accessible for newcomers and engaging for veterans.
  • Beautiful pixel art and a compelling soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a charming atmosphere.
  • Fast-paced gameplay with short match durations allows for quick sessions, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
  • Randomly generated maps can lead to frustrating and unbalanced gameplay, making some missions feel unfair.
  • Limited control over units, as players can only command their entire army or a single unit type, reduces strategic options.
  • The campaign features a steep difficulty curve with some missions being overly challenging, leading to potential frustration.
  • story1,697 mentions

    The story of "Tooth and Tail" is a darkly humorous narrative set in a world of anthropomorphic animals embroiled in a civil war over food, drawing parallels to the Russian Revolution. While the campaign features engaging characters and a variety of mission objectives, many players find the storytelling to be linear and the gameplay mechanics frustrating, particularly due to the random map generation that can lead to uneven difficulty spikes. Overall, the narrative is compelling but could benefit from deeper exploration and more consistent mission design.

    • “With interesting mechanics, a surprisingly active competitive scene, and a single-player campaign that is both fun and tells a wonderful story, this one isn't a game to miss.”
    • “The story itself expands as the campaigns progress, and its conclusion is foreshadowed but also extremely satisfying to see play out.”
    • “The story and the general atmosphere ooze theme, and I love the little snippets of lore available around drunken squirrels, imprisoned badgers, and skunks with gas masks.”
    • “The storyline is as linear and obvious as they come, where missions must be completed in order to unlock plot elements and even factions, so do not expect anything more than your generic, sophomoric revolutionary story.”
    • “The campaign has an interesting story but the missions are just not good... the game is enamoured with not giving your opponents reasonable restrictions just to mess you over.”
    • “The single player campaign was boring due to flat storytelling.”
  • gameplay970 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tooth and Tail" is characterized by its simplified mechanics that make it accessible to newcomers while still offering depth for strategic play. Players control a single commander unit, which can be both engaging and limiting, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience; some find it fun and fast-paced, while others criticize it for lacking complexity and depth compared to traditional RTS games. The game features a unique aesthetic, a compelling story, and a variety of mission objectives, but its reliance on random map generation and simplified controls can lead to frustration and a sense of imbalance in gameplay.

    • “With interesting mechanics, a surprisingly active competitive scene, and a single-player campaign that is both fun and tells a wonderful story, this one isn't a game to miss.”
    • “The gameplay itself goes hand in hand with the story and characters; you can't have one without the other two.”
    • “The gameplay is fast and accessible; the game manages to require only a few controls for you to learn.”
    • “The gameplay is unremarkable, the victories are unrewarding, the themes don't really fit the mechanics, etc. Every time I think about playing it again, I just feel this reluctance and grudgingly say to myself, 'Well, I mean, I paid for it, so I guess I better keep going...' Not a good sign at all.”
    • “I really wish Pocketwatch would make a sequel to this game, where they fix the fundamentally broken and boring mechanics, whilst keeping the kickass music and cool art style.”
    • “For a game that advertises itself as a real-time strategy game, the gameplay itself is awful.”
  • graphics588 mentions

    The graphics of "Tooth and Tail" are widely praised for their charming pixel art style and unique aesthetic, which effectively captures the game's dark, whimsical themes inspired by the Russian Revolution. Many players appreciate the beautiful visuals and the attention to detail in character design, although some criticize the gameplay graphics as outdated or lacking clarity. Overall, while the art style is a highlight, opinions vary on whether it compensates for the game's perceived gameplay shortcomings.

    • “The artwork is absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “The art styles, both the pixel and drawn, are wonderful.”
    • “It has beautiful graphics that make pixel graphics an art form, amazing music that works so well thematically with its premise and a campaign that had me interested from beginning to end.”
    • “Not recommended, just get AOE or Stronghold or any other RTS that you can think of, visuals don't save this for me.”
    • “The actual graphics during gameplay look like they are straight out of the 1990s.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game but the mechanics seem to be running back and forth clicking and the graphics are terrible... I expect better than 32-bit graphics in 2018.”
  • music422 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its thematic depth and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. Composed by Austin Wintory, the soundtrack is described as phenomenal, fitting perfectly with the game's dark and whimsical tone, and is noted for its catchy and immersive qualities. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's unique aesthetic and emotional impact.

    • “The music is some of the greatest music ever in a game - created by Austin Wintory. If you have a few extra bucks, buy the soundtrack.”
    • “The art and music are top notch, the gameplay is easy to grasp yet very deep, and I love when an RTS is not so focused on micromanagement that you can't enjoy the chaos unfolding around you.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolute ear candy in my opinion.”
    • “How come the gameplay is so simplified, but the story is just overly complicated and filled with historical allusions, which in turn get lost in the chatter of the surroundings, dozens of unfamiliar names and bar music?”
    • “Much too simplistic as an RTS and it fails to deliver much in the way of aesthetics beyond the Slavic dialogue and decent soundtrack.”
    • “I was looking forward to this one and it absolutely breaks my heart that I can't recommend this game: while the art style and especially the beautiful still pictures are some of the greatest art I've seen in a video game and the soundtrack, which I'm listening to this very moment, is a masterpiece in my opinion, the gameplay itself was such a letdown I had to refund the game.”
  • humor76 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, blending dark and absurd elements, such as animal cannibalism and social satire, to create a unique and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, engaging lore, and the humorous interactions that enhance both single-player and multiplayer modes. Overall, the game's ability to mix lightheartedness with grim themes resonates well with fans of tongue-in-cheek humor.

    • “The lore is funny, clever, Soviet, and does a great job with immersion.”
    • “The campaign is a decent length, a good story, laugh-out-loud funny, and impressively challenging.”
    • “I could say that the premise of this game is hilarious - animals fighting to eat each other.”
    • “At first glance, it looks like a tutorial—quite plain and not funny at all.”
  • atmosphere66 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Tooth and Tail" is widely praised for its unique blend of dark humor, charming characters, and engaging lore, reminiscent of themes from "Animal Farm" and the October Revolution. Players appreciate the game's vibrant art style and exceptional soundtrack, which enhance the overall experience and complement its fast-paced gameplay. The attention to detail in world-building and the lighthearted yet macabre tone contribute to a captivating and immersive atmosphere that stands out in the RTS genre.

    • “The atmosphere is spot on, the characters are lovable and iconic, and the soundtrack is a masterpiece.”
    • “Tooth and Tail is a fine example of how to produce a game loaded with atmosphere, which is truly rare nowadays.”
    • “There is a lot of atmosphere, attention to detail in art, character and world-building, as well as the overall dark comedy of T&T’s narrative that manages to make Animal Farm look tame in comparison with its level of violence and sociopolitical commentary.”
    • “Tooth and Tail follows this design philosophy and brings in a pseudo-Russian revolution atmosphere with it.”
    • “The game's atmosphere and characters ooze charm, and the blend of 8-bit gameplay assets and high-definition UI elements is executed very well.”
    • “This game does also supply two things that are often skimped on or altogether tossed out in a lot of other RTS games; those two things being story and atmosphere.”
  • replayability36 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the random map generation and the potential for varied gameplay, others find it lacking, with some even stating they have no interest in revisiting it. Achievements and multiplayer modes offer additional replay value, but frustrations with certain mechanics and a perceived lack of depth may deter long-term engagement for some players. Overall, the experience can vary significantly based on individual preferences and play styles.

    • “I could see this game slowly but surely working its way up to a lot of hours played over time with lots and lots of potential replay value depending on the player and what they like.”
    • “There is also a lot of replayability if you want to get all the rare and very difficult achievements which add another level of difficulty into all of the missions.”
    • “The maps are randomly generated, which provide good replayability to campaign, multiplayer and make the game unique each time, but does have the problem of occasionally screwing you up, but they have been making good efforts to try and keep it fair.”
    • “Zero replayability; haven't touched it since its release and I'm not interested in reinstalling.”
    • “While I agree that 'endless' and 'replayable' are indeed words that exist within the English language, they are definitely not applicable to this game.”
    • “Great art direction and concepts, but sadly only a limited amount of replay value in my opinion.”
  • grinding28 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often describing it as monotonous and lacking quality of life improvements. Many feel that bonus objectives detract from the enjoyment of levels, turning potentially fun experiences into exercises in frustration. Overall, the grinding nature of the gameplay leads to a disappointing experience, overshadowing the game's potential.

    • “The game is monotonous, tedious, empty and lacks so much quality of life it's not a true RTS game or even a strategy game at all, really.”
    • “Fun fact: if you play this wasted potential of a game, get ready to go through monotonous grinding for the campaign (literally, I sat down yesterday and said 'let me beat it') and now I want my time back.”
    • “But very quickly, playing each new level became an exercise in grinding frustration.”
  • optimization24 mentions

    The game's optimization is primarily focused on creating a competitive environment, which has led to some units feeling dull and lacking unique mechanics. While the controls are well-optimized for console and work adequately with a mouse, players have reported performance issues, particularly on Linux, and the ranked matchmaking requires further balancing. Casual players may still enjoy the game for its atmosphere and accessible gameplay, but those seeking depth in optimization may find it lacking.

    • “First off, let's start with something this game has done that a lot of recent RTS games have done: they've been optimized for a competitive environment.”
    • “At the moment, its controls are optimized for console, and the discussion page indicates this will continue for the foreseeable future.”
    • “Gameplay is amazing, an RTS that is easier to learn and master than games like Age of Empires and Starcraft since they optimized this game for controller, so I would totally recommend playing this with a controller.”
    • “One thing I've noticed, at least with the Linux version, is that this game has optimization issues.”
    • “I will note that economy optimization is minimal.”
    • “There are some unbalanced units in the game and the ranked matchmaking is not really finely optimized yet, and can use some balance patches.”
  • character development20 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by unique and imaginative character designs, featuring a variety of anthropomorphic animals with distinct personalities and moral complexities. The hand-drawn art style enhances the characters' individuality, making them memorable and visually appealing, although some players feel the gameplay does not fully capitalize on this rich character potential. Overall, the game's artistic presentation and character diversity create an engaging world, despite a lack of deeper furry culture references.

    • “The art in this game is fantastic, and each commander has their own character development, morals, and personality.”
    • “I think the hand-drawn art and the character designs alone are worth the price to experience - I am so drawn to this kind of style and the life it breathes into a game.”
    • “The character designs are very well made, the animations are fluid, and the designs are very easy to differentiate so you know what the enemy has.”
    • “Despite the character design, there's nothing really furry culture-related in this game.”
    • “The character designs are very well made, the animations are fluid, but the character development feels lacking.”
    • “While the art is fantastic and the character design is unique, the depth of character development is disappointing.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwrenching story and impactful music, which evoke a range of feelings from discomfort to nostalgia. Players appreciate the wholesome message at the end, though some find the gameplay's challenges can lead to frustration and reflection on personal emotional struggles. Overall, the game successfully combines fun gameplay with deeper emotional themes, leaving a lasting impression.

    • “I also love the wholesome message at the very end of the credits, even though the kindest thing I can do right now is to leave a nice review!”
    • “The music is amazing, the story is satisfyingly unfulfilling and heart-wrenching, and the gameplay is fast-paced and incredibly fun.”
    • “I could sit and listen to the main menu track play all day; honestly, I haven't quite finished the story, but the overall theme is a little messed up and a little emotional.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability is generally positive, with many players reporting a polished experience and no crashes during single-player campaigns. However, some users have encountered glitches, particularly in online matches, where slow internet can lead to periodic freezes, and AI behavior can be inconsistent. Overall, while the game has its issues, it remains enjoyable for most players.

    • “It's quick and easy to get into online matches, but if they have a slow internet, it can be a pain to deal with the periodic freezes.”
    • “AI is a little buggy and dumb at times.”
    • “Plus, if your badgers die either because of the enemies or the damn weather freezing them to death, then you are screwed.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game has been criticized for relying heavily on misleading advertisements that showcased only cut scenes rather than actual gameplay, leading to disappointment among early buyers who expected high-quality graphics.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Tooth and Tail

Play time

8hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
6-14hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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