Tell Me Why (video game)

Tell Me Why
DeveloperDontnod Entertainment
PublisherXbox Game Studios
DirectorFlorent Guillaume
Producers
  • Arnaud de Pischoff
  • Dimitri Weideli
DesignerYoann Pignolé
Programmers
  • Aurélien Caussin
  • Nicolas Sérouart
Artists
  • Lucile Meunier
  • Grégory Zoltan Szucs
  • Kenny Laurent
  • Talal Selhami
  • Amaury Balandier
Writers
  • Stéphane Beauverger
  • Morgan Lockhart
ComposerRyan Lott
EngineUnreal Engine 4
PlatformsWindows
Xbox One
Release
  • Chapter 1: Homecoming
  • August 27, 2020
  • Chapter 2: Family Secrets
  • September 3, 2020
  • Chapter 3: Inheritance
  • September 10, 2020
GenreGraphic adventure
ModeSingle-player

Tell Me Why is a 2020 episodic adventure game developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game consists of three chapters released for Windows and Xbox One in late 2020. It follows a pair of twins, Tyler and Alyson, with the ability to communicate with each other through telepathy, who reunite after ten years in their hometown in rural Alaska and investigate the death of their mother. A recurring theme of the story is the fallibility of memory, as the narrative explores the twins' childhood trauma and how they may each remember pivotal moments differently.

Since it was announced in November 2019, Tell Me Why has been noted for being the first major studio video game to feature a playable transgender main character. The developers consulted with expert groups for its themes, notably GLAAD, a non-governmental organization (NGO) monitoring media coverage of LGBT people, to ensure authentic and respectful portrayal of LGBT characters. A trans man was cast as the voice actor for Tyler Ronan, one of the two main characters, who had transitioned during his time away from his sister.

Tell Me Why received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the complex characters, voice acting, narrative design and setting, as well as its competent handling of culturally sensitive subjects such as transgender topics. Criticisms included inconsistent storytelling and lack of engaging gameplay.