Tell Me Why Reviews
Tell Me Why tells an engaging story of twins unraveling a mystery and forming a bond after being separated for most of their childhood. It's a more mature narrative set in a cozy Alaskan backdrop that could draw the attention of gamers who are interested in story-driven experiences yet may have been put off by all of the teen drama featured in previous Dontnod titles.
Tell Me Why features a compelling mystery that loses its depth the longer the story progresses but its strong characters and solid puzzles prove that Dontnod hasn’t missed a step.
For the themes it deals with and above all for the way in which they are treated, Tell Me Why represents for Dontnod a test of maturity passed decisively successfully. Whether it is to represent a plot of family relationships, or a condition of marginality or a complex path like that of a transgender person, the game never takes shortcuts, carefully avoiding transforming their characters into two-dimensional figures defined only by their gender identity, their belonging to a rural community or their religious faith.
Review in Italian | Read full review
This first episode of the new Dontnod trilogy story is a bit of a slow starter but sets a beautiful scene of little-town Alaska where twins Tyler and Alyson grew up. The game brings everything we expect from a Dontnod game: exploration, tough decisions, and puzzles combined with the supernatural and more than one complex and difficult relationship.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Tell Me Why struggles on the edge of irregular nuances: the game overflows with beautiful ideas, but on the other hand the potential of most of these ideas goes nowhere. Adventure opens you the door to another world, yet it can be one you won't like much at first. But as you dig deeper through the story, you realize that behind another social problem and „controversy" stands much larger narration with detective subtext in its core. Even though you want to compare Tell Me Why to Life is Strange, Tell Me Why is not Life is Strange: not with its story and not with its quality. And that's a shame, because Tell Me Why took some steps that brought the game so close to the line, which Life is Strange back then drew us. Only the small details left it a few steps before the finish line.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Tell Me Why is a beautiful and interesting narrative game with charismatic and complex characters. Its artistic characteristics are well crafted and it discuss sensitive topics in a very respectful and natural way. Despite some specific technical problems, Tell Me Why is recommended to those who like investigative games with intense stories and immersive experiences.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Everyone should play Tell Me Why for what it says about how we often neglect or don't recognize the love of those around us and how that can effect everyone, not just ourselves.
Tell Me Why tells one of the most mature stories in gaming. It touches on the topics of domestic violence and transgenderism in an incredibly tactful way, creating a world where no character is morally black or white. Unlike in most of Dontnod’s games, there’s almost no fantastical elements to the game, making the story and gameplay surprisingly grounded in reality. Don’t expect much action here, Tell Me Why focuses on its character. The most action-packed moments were a plushie fight and a fishing minigame.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Tell Me Why is an excellent narrative adventure that talks about childhood dramas and character diversity, but we would have preferred to play more and watch less.
Review in Italian | Read full review
But let’s be honest. You aren’t going to decide to pick up and play Tell Me Why based off of how it performs, how it looks, or even how it sounds. You’re going to pick this up and play it because Dontnod Entertainment has shown that they know how to make an engaging choose-your-own-adventure style of game. As usual for anything published by Xbox Game Studios, the game is available through Xbox Game Pass, and for that reason alone, it’s worth a handful of hours of your time.
"Tell My Why" is not a perfect game, but it is definitely very important because of what it shows and how it shows it. Great story, full of interesting and colorful characters, which it was a pity to part with.
Review in Polish | Read full review
DONTNOD giva us a more intimate, personal and familiar journey than the rest of its games, full of heart and emotion.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Tell Me Why is an exemplary narrative adventure game. However, it somewhat feels like a missed opportunity.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
If you’re looking for a new narrative adventure, you’ll likely love Tell Me Why, but if it’s not your genre of choice, this won’t be the game to make you love them.
So, all in all, Tell Me Why is a fun, story-telling video game with memorable protagonists.
Tell Me Why is an astounding addition to an amazing line-up of DONTNOD’s lofty library of occultic tales, and most definitely a must play in 2020.
Dontnod’s poignant story delivers what it set out to do, and through rekindling the sadness of a broken childhood, the twins discover much about themselves and also their mother.
Tell Me Why is more down to earth than its Life is Strange predecessors, but that is in no way a flaw. Its charming characters, beautiful Alaskan setting and slow-burning storyline that rewards the attentive player make it a great slice-of-life adventure.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Tell Me Why takes a more personal direction than previous Dontnod titles. Unlike the Life is Strange series which involved the lives of dozens, something hundreds, of people Tell Me Why has twin siblings simply looking for answers about their past. With a story that provides limited narrative diversity, simple branching paths, and an overall lukewarm ending. Tell Me Why is a checklist of everything a basic story needs to reach mediocrity.