Tell Me Why Reviews
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 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
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 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.
Quotation forthcoming.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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
An atmospherically dense adventure with a sensitively told story, which, however, suffers from the typical Dontnod weaknesses.
Review in German | Read full review
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.
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.
Tell Me Why is an intriguing narrative game, an intimate story capable of discussing complex themes using the power of a story that lives between reality and fiction, and that never sounds pretentious. If you like this kind of story-based games and have followed DONTNOD since Life is Strange, you will not be disappointed.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sometimes the course of events may be a little predictable, and sometimes a little too shallow. In a mystery-edged, dialogue-driven game, it is a difficult balancing act to decide how far to follow the various stories. The road to dissolution is also relatively short and we would have preferred a fourth chapter that allowed us to dig a little deeper in different places. We want more! Because under the three hundred note, you get an entertaining mystery to solve and put your own stamp on. The fact that Microsoft also allows the game to be included in Game Pass makes the acquisition issue an even bigger no-brainer. Tell Me Why is one of the most touching games of the year so far that will have your full attention from start to finish.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
You could say that Tell Me Why is about the journey and not the destination, and that journey is indeed a compelling one. And it’s complex; with violence, dysfunction and mental illness featuring prominently, it’s a dark tale in many ways. But it is also one full of hope as well – in the unlikely love that can bring two outsiders together, in the mental bond that literally connects two siblings, and in the liberating power of the truth.
Tell Me Why is an engrossing narrative adventure that pushes inclusivity to the forefront, setting a new benchmark for queer representation in the blockbuster space. As a transgender person, this is the level of research and respect that I anticipate from games going forward, and knowing it has the backing of Xbox Game Studios gives me that hope.
Tell Me Why doesn't stray far from Dontnod's style of episodic storytelling, but features rich characters and compelling representation.
Tell Me Why might be smaller in scope and less mechanically complex than Dontnod's Life is Strange series, but it's just as emotionally impactful. It's a compelling story with relatable, complex characters, and yet another example of Dontnod's unbeaten ability to make players feel something, anything, in a medium that's increasingly more mind-numbing.
As its title suggests, Tell Me Why depicts the journey of two siblings trying to find the truth about their twisted past. Adressing in a mature way the transgender question, the game also delivers an interesting perspective on the flaws of human memory, with the confrontation of childhood recollections. The second episode sometimes moves at low pace and the game lacks of new environments, but the overall experience is memorable.
Review in French | Read full review
All in all, Tell Me Why is another strong effort from Dontnod. The care it takes with its characters is to be applauded, and although it doesn't always hit the perfect spot with its themes the fact that it is discussing them at all is commendable. Those who enjoyed Life is Strange will get a kick (and a cry) out of its cast and plot, and at least it's not afraid to talk about uncomfortable topics in an age where so many developers are trying so hard to be apolitical.
Tell Me Why is just another great adventure on Dontnod's part and his experience in these types of games is clearly reflected here. The Ronan twins are incredible protagonists who will no doubt stick in my memory for quite a while, and the story does a great job of keeping you immersed in mystery, but with a few bumps along the way.
Review in Spanish | Read full review