Tell Me Why Reviews
Another excellent narrative adventure that combines topical issues and emotional drama.
Tell Me Why is a good story in a charming world but the choices and plot fail to enthrall.
Despite the craft and heart, Tell Me Why feels like a game at odds with itself.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Quotation forthcoming.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dontnod knows just what it wants to say and it says it beautifully.
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
There's no singular moment or element that stands out to make it an amazing experience, but looking back I'm quite happy that the game exists and that I got to play it. The story of Tyler and Alyson is worth experiencing and will live with you long after the credits roll.
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.
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.
Dontnod Entertainment's latest character-driven adventure delivers a gripping whodunit served with a side of unabashed social progressiveness
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.
Tell Me Why respectfully deals with sensitive topics and tells a meaningful story about grief and trauma. The performance and dialogue can be janky at times, but that shouldn't deter you from this experience.
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.