During the Xbox Games Showcase today, a brand-new trailer for Tell Me Why, the newest game from DONTNOD Entertainment, the studio behind the Life is Strange series, was released.
Just like Life is Strange, Tell Me Why is another emotionally-driven story-based game featuring a cast of “compelling and realistic characters.”
The story follows Tyler and Alyson Ronan, twins who were separated after a troubling event in their childhood. The two return to their hometown in Alaska determined to learn what really happened in their past, and use their “supernatural bond” to relive the past and discover the truth.
The game has drawn attention because Tyler, one of the main protagonists, is a trans man. The story will also focus on the discovery of his identity in his childhood, as well as his transitioning. The website says that they worked alongside mental health experts and gender advocates to make Tyler’s portrayal as true-to-life as possible.
The developers reassure that Tyler’s gender identity is not the reason for the “tragedy” in the twins’ past. In addition to this, DONTNOD has posted a FAQ on the game’s official website, that will answer any questions concerned players have, especially in regards to how Tyler’s trans identity plays into the story. The FAQ does contain spoilers, but the developers hope that it can quell players’ worries about the handling of Tyler’s writing.
The game’s website describes the game’s story as being driven by the decisions of the player, similar to the studio’s other games. This time, players will influence the relationship between the twins with their choices. There are also puzzles to solve that open up “The Book of Goblins,” the twins’ imagined world from their childhood that could hold pieces of the truth.
This trailer revealed that the first chapter of the game is slated to release on August 27, 2020, for the Xbox One and Steam. The game will also be coming to the Xbox Game Pass for a day one release.
Are you intrigued by Tyler and Alyson’s supernatural bond? How do you feel about narrative-driven games like Tell Me Why and Life is Strange? Leave a comment!