Story-driven games have the sort of charm that few games can beat. This is especially true if theyāre centered around important topics such as identity. Tell Me Why is one of those games. With a memorable story and realistic characters, fans of the Life is Strange series and similar games will probably love it. This doesnāt mean that you should buy it at full price.
What is Tell Me Why about?
Tell Me Why is a narrative adventure game developed by DONTNOD Entertainment. The game follows twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan as they uncover the truth about their past.
| Name | Tell Me Why |
|---|---|
| Release date | August 27, 2020 |
| Developer | DONTNOD Entertainment |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Steam review score | Very Positive |
| Hours to complete | Approximately 9ā12 hours |
If youāve played games in the Life is Strange or The Walking Dead series, then youāll know exactly what youāre in for. Your choices influence how the siblings interact with each other and the world around them. Itās basically up to the player to determine how the narrative unfolds, which means that there are multiple ways the game can end.
One of the most notable achievements this game holds is having gamingās first playable transgender protagonist in a major studio release. No other large studio has ever taken such a risk, which shows just how much inclusion means to the people behind the game. The game also has some supernatural elements as the twins can share experiences and memories in a unique way.
Is Tell Me Why worth buying at full price?
In most situations, the option of buying a game at full price completely depends on the player. However, that isnāt really the case here. This is because Tell Me Why frequently goes completely free to own, regardless of the platform you hope to get it on. If you can get the complete game for free, then thereās no reason to spend any money on it. The only exception is if you want to support the developer.
As for the game itself, it consists of three individual episodes that are directly connected to each other. The voice acting and characters are great, and the story is engaging enough to ensure most players will want to stick around until the end. The standard $19.99 price point is admittedly fairly steep, especially considering thereās barely any gameplay associated with it.
Realistically speaking, the game goes on sale often enough that you should check platforms such as DealNest to learn where to get it for the lowest price at that time. Of course, thereās also the option of just waiting until the game becomes free to claim again, especially since itās free every June because of Pride Month.
Where can you buy Tell Me Why?
Tell Me Why is available to buy on PC through Steam and the Microsoft Store. Itās also a console exclusive for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. The reason it isnāt playable on the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch is that Xbox Game Studios is the publisher.
The good news is that the game becomes free on Steam and the Microsoft Store. This ensures you have the option to choose between the two storefronts. As mentioned above, Tell Me Why is free to claim every June because of Pride Month. While this is the perfect time to claim the game, it also means that youāll have to wait months to get it for no cost if you miss your chance.
This isnāt to say that the game is too expensive, even when it isnāt free. If you want to buy Tell Me Why in any month aside from June, then itās recommended that you compare Steam key prices. Thereās a strong chance that youāll find a third-party Steam key provider selling the gameās key for a lower price than Steam or the Microsoft Store.
Why does Tell Me Why go free so often?
Tell Me Why is made free to celebrate Pride Month every June. This is because one of the gameās protagonists is one of the first playable transgender protagonists in a major game published by a large studio. Those who have played the game or have seen clips of it will know that weāre referring to Tyler Ronan.
The game has been given away multiple times since 2021. Now, itās more of an annual tradition that fans look forward to every year, since the promotion helps new players discover it. Itās also the developerās way of supporting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities during Pride Month.
Conclusion
Tell Me Why may not be the most action-oriented game of all time, but itās clearly made with passion. The game tells a deeply personal story that resonates with multiple players worldwide, and itās a must-try for those who like story-driven games.
