More often than not their desire to transition is shown as being the cause of some kind of childhood trauma. They’re abused, or they’re deadnamed, or misgendered repeatedly. So many trans characters in popular narratives are rooted in trauma and pain. August Black, Tyler’s VA, also contributed, editing the script if he felt a line wouldn’t do justice to Tyler’s story. From consultation with GLADD, to major creative contributions from transgender and non-conforming staff from developer studio, and the publisher, Xbox Dontnod has done everything they can to ensure that Tyler is a genuine, good-faith representation of a trans character. A lot of care and attention went into creating Tyler. And as you play, you realise just how serious Dontnod treated that. Tyler is the first playable transgender protagonist in a videogame. The most in-depth character would have to be Tyler. But as you get to know them, you realise these characters aren’t just caricatures. Tyler’s room is neat, tidy, and organized, while Alyson’s is a complete mess. Not only are we shown this through dialogue, but also through their personal effects. He’s a driven, determined young man, who thrives of structure and seems to have his life in order. Alyson is a disenfranchised twenty-something who lacks direction in life and feels stuck in a small town. Not only are they the best-written characters in the game, but they’re also the most graphically impressive. I don’t know if it’s the uncanny valley or what, but there’s something off about their models that fills me with unease.Īlyson and Tyler are the stars of the show, both literally and figuratively. The twins look fantastic, and Tom, Eddy, and Michael look alright, but Tessa and Sam have a bad case of the uglies. It’s clear that more effort was put into some models over others. Couple this with the stellar use of licensed music Dontnod is known for, and it all becomes a feast for the senses. Every environment feels vibrant and alive. Everything has the rich, watercolour-like quality to it. There’s something about the way the game renders the Alaskan wilderness that just takes my breath away. But overall, this is Dontnod at their best. The worst offender was the conversations between Michael and Tyler, which reeked of shoehorned romance. There were however some moments that seemed a little forced or awkward. Or as natural as video game conversations could get. Carrying out a conversation and its progression felt natural. They speak in a sort of down to earth dialogue. Eddy, Tessa, Tom, Sam, and Michael all felt genuine. The same can be said for the inhabitants. As you explore its locations, you get a feel for what seems like a rustic, if somewhat idealised, small town. There’s an air of authenticity to it all. Delos Crossing feels fleshed out and fully realised. The story and characters are the games biggest strength. As the twins dig deeper, lines begin to blur and they discover that perhaps things aren’t as clear cut as they thought. Plus, after ten years, reliving the past may prove to be too painful. The house won’t give up the truth easily, and the residents of Delos Crossing keep their secrets close to their chest. Together, the twins are determined to uncover the truth surrounding events ten years ago that tore their family apart. The story follows twins, Alyson and Tyler, as they return to their childhood home in Delos Crossing, Alaska. Tell Me Why is a game about dealing with grief and reconciling the past. So, to make sure you don’t have your experience ruined, this review will be spoiler-free. It’s also worth noting: I’m a trans writer and this game was set to be a big deal when it comes to Trans Representation, so I kind of feel like the cat that caught the canary. So this review will not cover only chapter one, but the entire experience. While the first chapter releases today, with 2 and 3 to being released the following weeks I’ve been fortunate to play the complete game. For their sixth game, Dontnod continue this strong showing with Tell Me Whyīefore we get into the nitty-gritty, I want to clarify a few things. In an age of bombastic shooter looters and open-world stealth games, it’s nice to see someone offering up something different. Tell me why series#From the ambitious gameplay of Vampyr, to the strong narratives in the Life is Strange series Dontnod’s games are loved by critics and consumers alike. Since their first game in 2013, they’ve built a reputation on in-depth characters and interesting stories. Dontnod Entertainment is a bit of a golden child when it comes to game developers.
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