DONTNOD has garnered a reputation for releasing thought-provoking and intense storylines, including the cult classic Life is Strange series. With the overwhelmingly positive reception in response to their most recent addition, Life is Strange 2, it came as no surprise—though a piece of welcome news—when they announced Tell Me Why. These game developers are known for pushing the envelope with issues that are important and relevant to life today, and they're never afraid to cross the line with social and political sub-plots.
In Life is Strange, we saw troubled youth and the issue of bullying intertwined with a mystery-murder plot. Before the Storm told the events prior to the first game, with same-sex relationships as a (strong) undertone. Now, in Tell Me Why, we see the appearance of two twins coming together for the first time in ten years, with one of them, Tyler Ronan, being transgender. The way DONTNOD navigates the waters of uncertainty and controversial issues is powerful, and we can't wait to see what statement Tell Me Why makes. Here are five things we know for certain, and five more that we're itching for.
10 What We Know: It Has Been Called An 'Intimate Thriller' Played As Two Characters
Players will take the role of the two twins—Alyson and Tyler—as they reunite for the first time in ten years. DONTNOD has confirmed that the story will rely on the decisions the player makes, (just like its previous games) which will alter the course of the gameplay. They've also made it clear that they intended this game to be set apart from the others, delivering a unique and enticing story that's likely to be filled with surprising and intense moments. Florent Guillaume said of the game that they wanted to 'tell deep stories with strong, original characters that can touch people's lives.'
9 Likely Possibility: We're Sensing Multiple Endings
Considering the fact that a player's choices will alter the outcomes they get throughout the game, we can only surmise that we'll have different ultimate outcomes as well (i.e. endings). The question is, will one be canon? Will it be a cliffhanger? Will they be drastically different, just like both Life is Strange games?
Only time will tell. The good news is that we'll have the answer by the end of the summer, according to DONTNOD's anticipated release dates.
8 What We Know: The Twins Are Connected By An Otherworldly Bond
The bond between the twins is supposedly one that's very powerful, connecting their memories, emotions, and thoughts to one another. It's a well-known fact that twins normally do have some kind of close bond, but Tell Me Why is taking a seemingly supernatural twist on that, creating something far more powerful and substantial. It's through this ability that players will begin to learn their story and, hopefully, bridge the decade-long gap that transpired between their reuniting.
7 Likely Possibility: Social And Human Rights Issues Will Be Part Of The Narrative
One of the twins, Tyler, is transgender; this was part of the initial release announcement. His narrative was well-received, but it also wasn't surprising considering DONTNOD's history. The creators were more than appreciative of Microsoft, who was firmly behind their decision to create a character who is part of the LGBT+ community. Furthermore, developers talked to long-standing LGBT+ organizations such as GLAAD in order to make his story as realistic as possible and to add another level to what could have been just another indie game.
6 What We Know: There Will Be Three Episodes, Similar To Previous Games
DONTNOD has already confirmed that the game will play out in a total of three episodes, which might seem like it comes up a bit short when compared to their other indie games. There's no word yet as to how long each episode will be, but developers have stated that they're trying out a new game mechanic.
This mechanic would be used to add a bit more depth and dimension to the environments, allowing players a bit more freedom, from the sounds of it—therefore eliminating the need to add time to an open-world story.
5 Likely Possibility: The Gaps In Between Episodes Could Be Shorter
The idea behind three episodes is that they'll come out in a quicker succession than Life is Strange 2, which came out in five episodes, spread out over a little more than one year. This was a significant complaint from players, as they loved the story but weren't happy with the three-plus months of waiting in between each one. This is an issue DONTNOD has acknowledged and is aiming to correct, intending for the entire game to be finished by the end of the summer season.
4 What We Know: It Is Decision-Based
These decisions will happen throughout the story as both Alyson and Tyler attempt to reconnect and recreate their past together. While the main storyline has not yet been revealed, DONTNOD has stated that the problem at hand will be the somewhat troubled childhood of both characters. With the notion of memories being the center plot point, it lies within the player's decisions to guide each character through their own past, which will undoubtedly affect their future, as well as the overall outcome of the game.
3 Likely Possibility: These Characters Will Be Unique And Unlike Other Previous Games
The developers really did their research and pulled out all the creative stops in order to create characters who would be relatable and engaging. This has never been a problem for them, however. Between Chloe Price, Max Caufield, Rachel Amber, and the Diaz twins, Sean and Daniel, players were never left with any lingering feelings of uncertainty toward who they loved. We would expect nothing less from a game such as this, complete with characters who will undoubtedly pull at our heartstrings and force us to think about life beyond a game screen.
2 What We Know: DONTNOD Is Working On Making The World More 'Open'
Throughout the game, players will explore various conflicts between the twins and they have stated that at a certain point, players will need to pick who they side with the most. One power of the twins is the ability to project their memories, and we can only wonder if this 'power' will be similar to the other recent games.
That mechanic aside, the environments are slated to be a bit more open and explorable, which will likely trigger memories—just as it has in the past. Only this time, it sounds like those memories will do far more than substantiate a backstory.
1 Likely Possibility: Will It Be Coming To Other Platforms?
Since DONTNOD has worked with Microsoft to make this dream a reality, we can only wonder if it will eventually be ported to other platforms. Xbox and PC users will be able to play immediately, but those who use other consoles—such as PlayStation and Nintendo Switch—are still in the dark about the future of Tell Me Why. This is a bit of a new experience, considering DONTNOD has been teaming up with Square Enix for the Life is Strange series, making it more widely available.