Developer DONTNOD's upcoming emotional title Tell Me Why will be releasing in just a little over one month and a trailer was revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase livestream event.
Tell Me Why will follow in the footsteps of past heartwrenching and bold narratives featured in DONTNOD games like the Life is Strange series. Life is Strange 2 was home to a risk-taking story following two Mexican-American brothers as they face systematic racism and attempt to cross the border into Mexico. And it looks like DONTNOD will be taking another bold stance with Tell Me Why, but this time, with gender transitioning.
The player will follow the story of Tyler as he comes to terms with events from his childhood alongside his sister Alyson. Tyler has since transitioned to male and the story is centered around how their childhood influenced his transition and how it, in turn, affected their mother.
The trailer opens up to Tyler's voice: "Woah, I just got hit with a flood of memories," and shows the two children with their mother in what looks like both a loving yet dangerous relationship. There seems to be a mystery surrounding the twins, as a voice says, "We all believe what happened that night was self-defense." Alyson also states that it doesn't matter if no one believes the two of them, suggesting that there's more to a tragic event pertaining to their mother for the player to find. The trailer also shows that the game will largely focus on the relationship between the two siblings.
DONTNOD has stated that Tyler is the first transgender playable character from any major studio and has worked with GLAAD, or Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, to make sure that his representation is authentic and true to those who it is standing for. And like past DONTNOD titles, Tell Me Why will utilize decision-making mechanics to change the outcome of the game as Alyson and Tyler revisit their old home and experience differing memories and visions of the events that had transpired.
Following criticism of the wide gaps between releases of Life is Strange episodes, DONTNOD has committed to a release schedule for Tell Me Why that has yet to be fully revealed, but the first chapter has been announced to be available on August 27th.
Tell Me Why will be available August 27th for PC and Xbox One with an Xbox Series X version to follow.