Summary
Microsoft and Xbox are celebrating Pride Month by giving away copies to one of developer DONTNOD Entertainment’s best games:Tell Me Why. Released back in 2020, the narrative-focused adventure game earned critical praise and plenty of accolades for its deep story, excellent writing, and compelling characters and Microsoft has often made it a point to offer it to players for free during the month of June. It’s alsoa landmark LGBTQIA+ gamegiven thatit was the first major studio-produced title to star a transgender protagonist.
Per the officialXboxblog, Microsoft confirmed thatplayers on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam will be able to pick up a copy ofTell Me Whyfor freefor the whole of June. Much like previous years, DONTNOD Entertainment is encouraging those who grab a free copy of the game todonate the money they would spent on the title to an independant trans creator or a transgender-inclusive charity organization. Given the themes represented inTell Me Why, such a move makes a great deal of sense and continues DONTNOD’s efforts to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community.
Tell Me Why Review: The Truth Can Hurt
Tell Me Why can be clumsy, but nonetheless manages to lead some powerful discussions on community and mental illness out of its family-driven mystery.
Tell Me Why You Haven’t Played This Gem Yet?
For Life Is Strange Lovers, It’s A Must
Those who may not have grabbedTell Me Whyreally ought to do so asit represents DONTNOD’s mastery of the narrative systemthat it implemented inprevious hits likeLife Is StrangeandTwin Mirror. The story focuses on Tyler and Alyson Ronan, twins who reconnect in an effort to put the past behind them and investigate some of the mysterious aspects of their shared history.Tell Me Why’s story was so strong it won the Games For Impact Award at the 2020 Game Awards.
Set in a sleepy Alaskan town,Tell Me Whyprompts players to make decisions that can vastly change the outcome of the narrativesasthey mould Tyler and Alyson’s relationshipin whatever ways they deem best for the story. Within this structure, light puzzles will crop up that will require some out-the-box thinking in order to progress. It’s a cohesive package, one that manages to deliver a poignant story about growing up and accepting oneself.
Perhaps the best part ofTell Me Whyis the background work conducted by DONTNOD Entertainment to provide a genuine, authetic experience. During production,the team consulted with cultural, mental health and gender advocatesto ensure that the characters represented in the game were as truthful to reality as possible. Players who’ve yet to pick up the game should ensure they grab it before the end of June.
