Tell Me Why Reviews
Despite the craft and heart, Tell Me Why feels like a game at odds with itself.
Tell Me Why is a good story in a charming world but the choices and plot fail to enthrall.
Another excellent narrative adventure that combines topical issues and emotional drama.
Ultimately, Tell Me Why taught me how to not be defined by my past, and gave me the tools to thrive in the future. In a time where I needed hope perhaps more than ever, Dontnod delivered it. For that, their masterpiece has firmly cemented itself as my absolute favorite video game I've had the pleasure of playing.
Tell Me Why offers a much-needed reshaping of the choose your own adventure games, moving away from cliffhangers and dramatic, distinct choices towards a more gentle and meaningful experience. The game features bouts of magic realism, but is most magic in its human moments. All the major choices shape your character's experience more than their actions, and while the first, introductory chapter occasionally feels shallow, later chapters are overflowing with depth.
Tell Me Why shines brightest when it's focusing on the powerful bond between twins Tyler and Alyson, but the overall story and memory mechanics don't ever reach the same high bar
Tell Me Why puts Dontnod's usual bag of tricks to good use in an empathetic but somewhat toothless narrative.
While still supernatural, Tell Me Why provides more of a mature tale overall than Life is Strange. It's surprisingly dark, but uplifting at times as well. This game takes chances with the cast of characters in ways that are mostly a resounding success. It's exciting to see a LGBTQ lead character and a storyline that doesn't plunge headfirst into tropes. Here's hoping that this is a sign of where Dontnod will go in the future, because Tell Me Why is a step in the right direction.
It’s less dramatic than some of Dontnod’s other outings (and probably not for those with short attention spans given the pacing), but Tell Me Why remains a good entry in their the library of stories about families and sad magic – and it’s probably the most hopeful one yet.
It doesn’t rely on stereotypes or tropes to find easy answers, and it could be a source of comfort to those who can empathize with these problems. That’s why I liked the tale. It treats all of its characters with a kindness and empathy that unsheathes their complexities.
Tell Me Why deals with some sensitive subjects with respect and sensitivity, making the story both gripping and powerful in ways they've never done before.
Tell Me Why doesn't stray far from Dontnod's style of episodic storytelling, but features rich characters and compelling representation.
By cleverly leaning on the conventions of YA fiction — supernatural elements, family conflicts and the like — the studio has hit emotional peaks rarely, if ever, seen before in gaming (both the first and the second Life is Strange games left me misty-eyed).
Tell Me Why is a good game but some flaws in the plot make the story a little too confusing and uninvolving in the end.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Quotation forthcoming.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
In conclusion I can be very clear about Tell me Why. This new title by Dontnod will undoubtedly delight all those who have enjoyed previous works of both the studio and the genre. It is a much more adult game that tackles complex topics of great interest in today's society, so it may personally be much easier to fit in with the audience for these works. It is even a great opportunity to introduce you to the genre, because Tell me Why is as accessible as it is spectacular.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Tell Me Why and Dontnod deserve praise for the game’s carefully considered representation of trans protagonist Tyler, but unfortunately, the game struggles on all other fronts.
Dontnod continues to lead the world in terms of character diversity and representation, and while Tell Me Why's story can sometimes lack drama it's still engagingly interactive.
Reining in on the supernatural, Tell Me Why is a more nuanced, intimate and mature story that explores family trauma that challenges our memories and relationships, while making another bold step in representation for video games.
Dontnod knows just what it wants to say and it says it beautifully.