Bear with me for a bit of déjà vu: narrative adventure Tell Me Why is free to keep on Steam for the whole month of June, to celebrate Pride Month. If that sounds familiar, there's a good reason for that, and it's not because you've unlocked time-shifting powers. By my reckoning, this is the fourth year running that developer Don't Nod has done this.
It's a lovely tradition to keep going. The game itself is about a pair of twins confronting their past using a supernatural power—the link to Pride is that one of the two is trans, with their identity forming a major element of the plot. Don't Nod was also really put on the map by the original Life Is Strange, another adventure with LGBTQ+ themes. This feels like a lovely way of putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to respecting the wider community—especially as it's accompanied by a call from the developer to "give your money and support to trans creators, trans-inclusive charities in your community, and trans people in need" this month.
How to Claim Your Copy
Head to its Steam page and click "Add to account," and it'll be in your library ready to download—just make sure you get it before July 1. Our reviewer had some misgivings about Tell Me Why when it first released back in 2020, but said, "While there are missteps, they're at least well-meaning, and the game goes to great lengths to respect Tyler's identity like few games of this scope ever have." Certainly for the price of free, it's worth giving it a try for yourself.
What's Next for Don't Nod?
If you're curious what else Don't Nod has been making since leaving behind the Life Is Strange series, we really enjoyed its gentle climbing adventure Jusant (which is currently 30% off on Steam), and said that its most recent game, cinematic ghost-hunting action game Banishers, "feels like a Witcher 3 quest blown up into a full-size game, really giving you the chance to get to know one town and its colorful inhabitants."
This ongoing tradition of offering Tell Me Why for free during Pride Month not only allows more players to experience its heartfelt narrative but also underscores Don't Nod's commitment to inclusivity and representation. As we celebrate Pride Month, it's heartening to see such initiatives that encourage support for trans creators and communities.
So, whether you're revisiting the game or diving into it for the first time, now is the perfect opportunity to explore this narrative adventure and reflect on the importance of trans identity in storytelling.
