FOK.nl / Reviews / Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why is perhaps the most talked about game from developer DONTNOD Entertainment. Not because of its good gameplay or beautiful story, but that you openly play with a transsexual character. If you compare all DOTNOD games, the first thing that strikes you is that the developer is always looking for the edge of what is socially accepted. The stories are also getting more complex, from growing up to teenage problems Life is Strange, of deporting (illegal) children in America Life is Strange 2, and now about transsexuality among teenagers.

In Tell Me Why you play with Alyson and Tyler Ronan. The brother and sister have been separated and meet again ten years later after the death of their mother. They both grew up as sisters, but Tyler soon discovered that he is actually a man. Although the transformation itself does not play a major role in the story, this event does play a major role in the story. One day they decide to sell the family home, but soon find out that this is not an easy job, both physically and emotionally. Unlike the other games, both characters share a gift, which is that they can communicate via telepathy (which of course should be called ‘The Voice’). They can also play back both memories from the past, but they quickly discover that how one remembered it does not always match how the other remembered it.

In terms of gameplay differs Tell Me Why not much different from the other games. There is an introduction to a new space, you investigate what is possible, somewhere you hold a dialogue with each other or another character, solve a puzzle and continue. The big difference from the previous parts are the psychic abilities of Alyson and Tyler. The memories, masquerading as little plays performed by ghosts, give context to what happened in the past and how things are now as they are. However, because both moments can remember differently, you will sometimes have to make a choice as to who owns the truth and who does not. These choices determine, among other things, the outcome of the story. You will also need to do some research. Other people you meet are not always in the mood to retrieve the past and you will have to convince them. In addition, it helps that you have a direct line with each other, and therefore you sometimes come up with different questions than you would ask on your own.

Also in Tell me Why it is again important that you continuously make choices. The biggest choices have an impact on the mutual relationship. The choice can be positive or negative. Unfortunately you never see how much impact it has. There are also choices that have a direct impact on an outcome, such as remembering a specific date well, but they are so few that it hardly matters whether you get them right or not. Even after a second round, I had hoped that the consequences of my choices were clearer, but with a few minor references, it has almost no impact on how the story unfolds.

During the story there are also some other things you can do. These are hidden in puzzles and games. With some it is unclear what to do, the others you put two fingers in your nose. You play Tell Me Why also ultimately for the story and this is pretty tough. While the first chapter is mainly about the main characters, the second chapter is about what has happened to them in the past ten years, in order to focus on the future again in the third chapter. And that is immediately one of the biggest pain points Tell Me Why: the characters have been given little time for a good introduction. This is partly due to the lack of two chapters covering the other Life is Strange parts did get, and by theme. Tell Me Why has the toughest story of the series and it is a shame that this is not explored.

All in all, DONTNOD Entertainment delivers a game of which you know exactly what it is worth before you buy. Tell Me Why is a nice addition to it Life is Strange universe, but not the best of the series.

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