Review · Adventure · Xbox One · PC
Tell Me Why
By the LumiKin editors
Reviewed: 01 May 2026
Xbox One · PC
DONTNOD Entertainment · 2020
LumiScore
68/100
Good
Tell Me Why is an adventure game that builds empathy and ethical reasoning through a deep narrative and character relationships, but contains mature themes.
Growth (BDS)
52
Risk (RIS)
1
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
7+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.54 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.73 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.15 | |
Tell Me Why offers a deeply engaging narrative experience that encourages critical thinking, empathy, and ethical reasoning through complex character relationships and challenging choices. Players will develop reading and language skills as they unravel the mystery, and the adaptive challenge comes from the impact of their decisions on the story's progression.
Design risks
| R1 | Dopamine pressure | 0.00 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.06 | |
While Tell Me Why presents mature themes, including some instances of violence, language, and substance references appropriate for its M rating, it generally avoids manipulative design. The game focuses on narrative and character development, with minimal risks related to dopamine manipulation, monetization, or social pressures. Some mild identity/self-worth risk can come from choices made by the player affecting the twins relationship, but these are handled in a mature and thoughtful way.
Heads up
- Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $0–0/mo.