Info about Tell Me Why:

Official game description:
Tell Me Why is the latest narrative adventure game from DONTNOD Entertainment, the studio behind the beloved franchise, Life is Strange. In this intimate mystery, reunited twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan use their supernatural bond to unravel the memories of their loving but troubled childhood. Set in beautiful small-town Alaska, Tell Me Why features true-to-life characters, mature themes and gripping choices.
As you conjure up memories of the past, your choices will affect the twins’ relationship, determine the strength of their bond, and shape the course of their lives.
Revisit your past, discover the truth, and shape your future
• Uncover the truth – Use the twins’ supernatural bond to relive and explore their conflicting childhood memories.
• Shape your Story – Influence the relationship between Tyler and Alyson with choices that will determine their future.
• Unlock even more secrets – Match wits with puzzles that deepen the story and open a window into the twins’ fantasy world, “The Book of Goblins.”
Experience true-to-life setting and characters
• Unique characters – Build relationships and solve mysteries through the eyes of compelling and realistic characters.
• Alaskan splendor – Explore locations set in beautiful, highly detailed small-town Alaska in stunning 4K and HDR.
Storytelling with purpose – DONTNOD Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios conducted on-the-ground research and partnered closely with cultural, mental health and gender advocates to craft a thoughtful, true-to-life experience.

Release date: Aug 27, 2020

Categories: Narrative Adventure, Choice-based Narrative, Character Development, Supernatural Elements, Puzzle Solving, Exploration, Multiple Perspectives

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 25; verdict: Mixed Sentiment on DLC Value; summary: The analysis of user reviews reveals a significant theme regarding the perception of DLCs and content expansion. Many users expressed a desire for additional content and expansions through DLCs, but there is a notable sentiment that the game or its DLCs are not worth the full price. Some users suggested that the game is more valuable when obtained for free or at a discounted price. This indicates a need for the developers to consider the pricing strategy and the value offered by the DLCs to enhance user satisfaction and perceived value.
- Steam Deck: score 20; verdict: Generally Positive with Minor Issues; summary: The game 'Tell Me Why' receives mixed reviews regarding its storyline and quality, with some users praising the cohesive story and others criticizing the voice acting and animations. The game performs well on the Steam Deck, with positive feedback on its controls and gameplay. Stability is generally good, with minor bugs reported by some users.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Strong character development (weight 0.95): Characters are well-written, realistic, and impactful. The game features genuine character relationships and complex situations that make the characters feel real and relatable.
- Beautiful graphics and art style (weight 0.94): The game is praised for its stunning graphics, beautiful art style, and detailed environments. The visuals effectively capture the mood and atmosphere of the story.
- Emotional and engaging story (weight 0.93): The game features a deeply emotional and engaging story that resonates with players. It includes complex themes such as trauma, grief, and the search for truth, making it a powerful narrative experience.
- Inclusive and respectful representation (weight 0.91): The game is noted for its respectful and sincere representation of LGBTQ+ characters, including a well-handled portrayal of a transgender character.
- Unique twin perspective (weight 0.91): The game explores the unique dynamic between twins, including a supernatural connection and a strong bond that adds depth to the story.
- Atmospheric and immersive (weight 0.88): The game's atmosphere is thoughtfully designed, with successful ambient sounds and beautiful places that immerse players in the story.
- Choice-based mechanics (weight 0.87): Players appreciate the ability to influence the story and relationships through choices, leading to different endings and adding replay value.
- Supernatural elements (weight 0.76): The game includes supernatural elements such as powers and the idea of rediscovering memories, adding a unique twist to the story.
- Good voice acting (weight 0.74): The game features top-notch voice acting in multiple languages, enhancing the believability of the characters and the impact of key moments.
- Healthy handling of sensitive topics (weight 0.02): The game handles sensitive topics such as mental health and LGBTQ+ issues with care and respect, providing visibility to real-life issues.

Common complaints:
- Limited and ineffective choices (weight 0.43): Players feel that the choices presented in the game do not have a significant impact on the storyline or gameplay. This lack of meaningful decisions makes the game feel linear and reduces player engagement.
- Slow pacing and boring gameplay (weight 0.43): The game is criticized for its slow pacing, lack of engaging gameplay mechanics, and a storyline that drags on without meaningful progression. Many players found the game to be tedious and uninteresting due to its linear and repetitive nature.
- Poorly designed puzzles (weight 0.3): The puzzles in the game are criticized for being either too simple, tedious, or unnecessarily challenging. This leads to frustration and a lack of enjoyment for players.
- Lack of innovation and variety (weight 0.19): The game is criticized for its lack of innovation in gameplay mechanics and the absence of variety in activities. This makes the game feel outdated and unremarkable compared to other titles in the genre.
- Unnecessary and forced themes (weight 0.18): Some players found the inclusion of certain themes, such as gender ideologies and romance options, to be unnecessary and forced. These elements are seen as detracting from the overall story and gameplay experience.
- Technical and graphical issues (weight 0.06): The game suffers from various technical issues, including graphical glitches, motion sickness, and unresponsive controls. These problems detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Achievement and progression issues (weight 0.02): Players have reported issues with achievements not migrating between platforms and the inability to skip or revisit story moments. This affects the overall enjoyment and replayability of the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Narrative-driven gameplay with choices (weight 0.46): The game is heavily focused on story and character development, with players making choices that affect the narrative. It includes elements like puzzle-solving, exploration, and supernatural themes, with a strong emphasis on dialogue and character interactions.
- Twins with telepathic bond (weight 0.06): The game features twins who have a unique telepathic connection, allowing them to communicate mentally and share memories. This mechanic is central to the gameplay and story.
- Exploration and puzzle-solving (weight 0.04): Players explore environments to gather clues and solve puzzles, often using the twins' special abilities. The puzzles are integrated into the story and require players to think critically.
- Memory reconstruction mechanics (weight 0.04): The game includes mechanics where players can reconstruct and revisit memories, which is crucial for uncovering the story and solving puzzles. This involves choosing between different characters' memories.
- Collectibles with meaning (weight 0.01): The game includes collectible items that have significance to the story and characters, adding depth to the world-building.
- Multiple perspectives and characters (weight 0.01): The game allows players to experience the story from multiple perspectives, often alternating control between different characters.
- Engaging gameplay in later chapters (weight 0.01): The gameplay becomes more engaging as the story progresses, particularly in the later chapters where the narrative and mechanics come together more effectively.
- World-building through notes and letters (weight 0.01): The game builds its world and lore through notes, letters, and other collectibles that players can find and read.

Performance notes:
- Stable performance with minor issues (weight 0.08): The game generally runs smoothly with no major bugs or FPS drops. However, there are some minor glitches and texture issues reported.
- Uncapped FPS causes inconsistencies (weight 0.02): The game has frame-time issues due to uncapped FPS, leading to inconsistent frame pacing.
- GPU usage and settings issues (weight 0.02): GPU usage barely hits 30%, and some modern GPUs might struggle to run the game at high settings.
- High-end performance capability (weight 0.01): The game can run at 4K60 on a 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super, indicating decent performance on high-end systems.
- Stability struggles reported (weight 0.01): Some players report that the game struggles to maintain stability, which could affect the overall gaming experience.
- Choppy motion mechanics (weight 0.01): The motion mechanics in the game are described as a little choppy, which could impact gameplay smoothness.
- Facial animation issues (weight 0.01): There are reports of issues with facial animations, such as mouth and eye movements, which could affect the game's immersion.
- Decent PC requirements (weight 0.01): The game has decent PC requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of players with different hardware specifications.
- Runs on lower-end hardware (weight 0.01): The game can run on lower-end hardware such as an i3 with a GTX 750TI, indicating good optimization for older systems.

Recommendations:
- Worth playing on sale or for free (weight 0.24): Many reviews suggest that the game is worth trying, especially if it is available for free or at a discounted price. This makes it a safe choice for those who are unsure about purchasing it at full price.
- Recommended for LGBTQ+ representation (weight 0.22): The game is highly recommended for its representation of LGBTQ+ themes and transgender issues, providing an engaging and emotionally impactful story that resonates with many players.
- Highly recommended for narrative fans (weight 0.21): The game is frequently praised for its deep narrative and character development, making it a must-play for those who enjoy story-driven games. It is often compared to 'Life is Strange' and recommended for fans of decision-based and emotionally impactful games.
- Good for contemplative players (weight 0.2): The game is recommended for those who enjoy contemplative and emotionally engaging stories, offering a unique experience that addresses social issues and personal growth.
- Try the free episode first (weight 0.07): Several reviews suggest trying the first chapter, which is free, before deciding to purchase the full game. This allows players to get a feel for the game's style and narrative.
- Easy and quick platinum (weight 0.01): Some players mention that the game offers an easy and quick platinum trophy, which can be appealing for achievement hunters.
- Positive surprise for some players (weight 0.01): A few reviews indicate that some players were pleasantly surprised by the game, having not initially considered playing it but ultimately enjoying the experience.
- High rating from a player (weight 0.01): One review gives the game a perfect score, indicating a highly positive experience.

Other player notes:
- Content warning for sensitive topics (weight 0.01): The game includes potentially triggering content related to loss of parents and gender transition. Players appreciate the warning.
- Gifted by family members (weight 0.01): Some players received the game as a gift from their brother, indicating it may be a popular gift choice.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.11): Players are primarily frustrated by the game's glacial pacing, repetitive puzzles, and excessive exposition. The slow story progression and lack of meaningful content, coupled with unlikable characters and forced romance, contribute significantly to this frustration. Additionally, the illogical puzzle design and lack of depth in the story further exacerbate the players' dissatisfaction.
- Joy (weight 0.1): Players experience joy from the game's beautiful visuals, engaging storyline, and emotional journey. The stunning graphics, nature scenes, and music create a captivating atmosphere. The well-written story and enjoyable gameplay mechanics, along with the positive feedback on the story's emotional impact, contribute to this sense of joy.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Disappointment stems from the game's wasted potential, with players feeling that the story could have been told more effectively in a shorter time frame. The lack of compelling ideas, technical performance issues, and underutilized game mechanics also contribute to this sentiment. Additionally, the focus on certain sensitive topics without adequate depth and the lack of meaningful choices in the story further disappoint players.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players find satisfaction in the game's strong voice acting, beautiful graphics, and smooth performance. The emotional story, compelling narrative, and well-crafted characters contribute to a satisfying experience. The overall strong gameplay mechanics, good cinematography, and character design also enhance player satisfaction.
- Love (weight 0.05): Players express love for the game's story, narrative, and overall experience. The emotional journey and the fantasy version of Alaska captivate players, making them grow fond of the characters and the game's content. The heartfelt story and the game's unique elements, such as the Goblin Book, contribute to this deep affection.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment comes from the game's engaging storyline, interesting puzzle-solving elements, and enjoyable gameplay mechanics. The interactions between the twins and the beautiful town, along with the game's development and mechanics, provide a fun and immersive experience. The choice-based mechanics and the overall immersion in the game's world contribute to this enjoyment.
- Sadness (weight 0.04): The game's heavy and emotional story elements, particularly the tragic story of Mary Ann and the shared trauma, evoke sadness in players. The haunting narrative and emotional scenes bring players to tears, creating a somber and moving experience. The deep and tragic story of the characters further enhances this emotional impact.
- Engagement (weight 0.04): Players are engaged by the game's deeply emotional and thoughtful exploration of identity, memory, and family. The engaging plot, well-written story, and relatable content keep players interested and immersed. The game's mysteries, puzzles, and the elaborate backstory contribute to a captivating and engaging experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is generated by the game's plot twists, mysteries, and engaging story. The atmospheric depiction of Alaska and the emotional storyline, along with the game's suspense and memorable music, create a thrilling experience. The reviewer's belief that the game is highly recommended and worth playing further adds to this excitement.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Players admire the game's visuals, respectful portrayal of complex topics, and powerful narrative. The realistic character models, expressive animations, and beautiful story contribute to a sense of admiration. The game's art direction, visuals, and the beauty of the scenarios are particularly praised.
- Empathy (weight 0.04): Empathy is evoked by the game's themes of personal identity, mental health, and family. The authentic and nuanced dynamic between Tyler and Alyson, along with the relatable and impactful story, create a strong emotional connection. Players feel a deep connection to the characters and their struggles, particularly regarding LGBTQ themes and mental illness.
- Positive (weight 0.03): Players have a positive experience due to the game's calm, emotional vibe and interesting twin perspective. The beautiful graphics, strong art style, and emotional story contribute to this positivity. The engaging story, characters, and good voice overs further enhance the positive feedback.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom arises from the game's slow pacing, lack of interaction, and unengaging gameplay. The repetitive dialogue, endless cutscenes, and boring storyline make the game feel tedious and uninteresting. Players find the game's gameplay mechanics and overall experience to be dull and unengaging.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's thoughtful exploration of transgender topics and the sensitive portrayal of Tyler, a transgender man. The beautiful graphics, convincing character performances, and the game's powerful and emotional journey are highly valued. The subtlety and cruelty of human behavior, along with the overall game intentions, contribute to this appreciation.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): Curiosity is sparked by the game's unsolved mysteries and the desire to uncover hidden truths. The engaging story and the initial confusion and immersion in the story keep players intrigued. The reviewer's interest in uncovering the truth and the game's lingering aftertaste further enhance this curiosity.
- Happy (weight 0.02): Players are happy with the game's enjoyable story, graphics, and characters. The art style, scenery, and music contribute to a pleasant and joyful experience. The overall enjoyment of the game and its elements brings happiness to the players.
- Happiness (weight 0.02): Happiness is derived from the game's representation of gender identity and visibility to real-life issues. The inclusion of a transgender male character and the game's release during June pride month contribute to this sense of happiness. The positive representation and visibility of important topics bring joy to the players.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is caused by the spiteful and evil treatment by certain characters and the frustrating goblin puzzles. The reviewer's anger about the graphics, story, and protagonist, along with the boring storyline and missions, further exacerbate this emotion. The forced inclusion of certain ideologies and the overall dissatisfaction with the game's elements contribute to this anger.}