| Storyteller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Daniel Benmergui |
| Publisher(s) | Annapurna Interactive [lower-alpha 1] |
| Engine | Unity [1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Storyteller is a puzzle video game designed by Daniel Benmergui and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game was released on March 23, 2023 for Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch, [2] and was released on September 26, 2023 for iOS and Android via Netflix. [3] [4]
Storyteller is a puzzle game in which players form story narratives by placing characters and scenes into picture book styled panels. Depending on how the characters, scenes and panels are arranged, the story and character motivations adapt accordingly, affecting the outcome of subsequent panels. For example, if a character dies in one panel, they will appear as a ghost in later panels. Each puzzle has a descriptive title, with the player tasked with forming a story that matches the title using the provided characters and scenes within a set number of panels. For example, if the title calls for a character to drink poison, they must form a story in which said character will be motivated to drink it. Puzzles may have multiple solutions and certain puzzles have sub-objectives which require the story to fulfil additional criteria to clear. [5]
Storyteller has been under development by Argentinian game designer Daniel Benmergui since 2009. [6] [7] An early prototype of the game was awarded the Independent Games Festival's innovation award, the Nuovo, in 2012. [8]
Benmergui spoke of the development hell the game was in during a Fuckup Nights presentation in 2020, detailing how he abandoned the game in 2015 after being forced to move home to his mother (and subsequently started working on it again). [9] A limited time demo of the game was released in July 2021. [10] [11]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (NS) 73/100 [12] (PC) 70/100 [13] |
| OpenCritic | 70/100 [14] 44% Critics Recommend |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| GameSpot | 4/10 [15] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 3.5/5 [16] |
| Nintendo Life |   [17] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 76/100 [18] |
| RPGFan | 77/100 [19] |
| Shacknews | 7/10 [20] |
| TouchArcade | 4/5 [21] |
Storyteller received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. [12] [13]
The Cave is a puzzle-platform, adventure game developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Sega in January 2013 on the PlayStation Network, Nintendo eShop and Xbox Live Arcade storefronts via the PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360 consoles and on Steam for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux. It was later released on October 3, 2013 on iOS devices and Android. On December 2, 2013 it was also released on the Ouya. The game has been delisted from console storefronts as of April 2, 2018, making it a Steam exclusive until 2023.
Gorogoa is a puzzle video game developed by Jason Roberts and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, and iOS on 14 December 2017, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 22 May 2018, and shortly thereafter an Android and Kindle Fire release.
White Day: A Labyrinth Named School, known on mobile platforms internationally as The School : White Day or The School - White Day, is a 2015 survival horror video game developed by ROI Games and Gachyon Soft. A remake of the 2001 game of the same name, it was initially released for Android in November 2015 in Korea, and iOS on the following month. A port for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 was released in August 2017, published by ROI Games in Korea, PQube in North America and Europe, and Arc System Works in Japan. It is the second remake of White Day, with the first being a 2009 2D adventure-horror game utilizing still images for mobile phones titled White Day Mobile, which was released only in South Korea by Ntreev Soft, who shares the copyright of this game.
Rakuen is a 2017 adventure video game, created by Laura Shigihara. It was built using the RPG Maker XP engine and released on May 10, 2017. It is a sprite-based exploration game, in which text boxes serve as the primary conduit for communication. The name "Rakuen" is translated from Japanese as "paradise." The game is currently available for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows.
Annapurna Games, LLC is an American video game publisher and developer. The company is a division of Annapurna Pictures, and was founded in 2016. Notable games published by the company include What Remains of Edith Finch, Outer Wilds, Neon White and Stray.
OneShot is a puzzle-adventure game developed by indie studio Future Cat and published by Degica. Based on a free version made in 2014, it was released for Windows on December 8, 2016. A console adaptation, OneShot: World Machine Edition, was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on September 22, 2022.
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a role-playing video game developed by CD Projekt Red. It is a spin-off of The Witcher video game franchise, and acts as the standalone single-player component for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game. Thronebreaker was released in October 2018 for Microsoft Windows, on 4 December 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, in January 2020 for Nintendo Switch, and in July 2020 for iOS, with the Android version released on 17 June 2021.
Poly Bridge 2 is a simulation-puzzle game developed and published by Dry Cactus, with music composed by Adrian Talens. It is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Poly Bridge. It is available worldwide for Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Android, and iOS.
In the video game industry, 2022 saw the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry, slowing hardware sales for most of the year as well as development delays for major titles. The industry continued its trend of acquisitions and mergers, highlighted by Microsoft announcing its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion. The industry as a whole continued to deal with issues such as workplace harassment and discrimination, alongside crunch periods, leading to at least the quality assurance staff at three separate studios to vote to unionize.
Happy Game is a point-and-click adventure game video game developed and published by Amanita Design. The game was first released on October 28, 2021 for Microsoft Windows and macOS via Steam and Nintendo Switch, and was later released for iOS and Android on Feb 2, 2023.
Maquette is a puzzle-adventure video game developed by Graceful Decay and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game takes place in a recursive world where every action on a table is recreated in the larger area outside. The game was released in March 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows, with a version for Nintendo Switch as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S launching in May and July 2023, respectively.
Mundaun is a 2021 first-person horror game created by Swiss developer Hidden Fields and published by MWM Interactive. In the game, the player tries to reach the top of the mountain while solving puzzles and warding off enemies. The dialogue in the game is mostly spoken in Romansh. Critics praised the game's sketchbook-like art style, but criticized some of the puzzles as being obtuse. The game was released on March 16, 2021 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. A Nintendo Switch port was released on May 27. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S were released on June 29, 2023.
In the video game industry, 2024 saw job losses extending from 2023, including large cuts from Microsoft Gaming, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, and with over 8,000 jobs lost during the months of January, February, and March.
Thirsty Suitors is an adventure video game about a young woman, Jala, who returns to her hometown for her sister's wedding and must navigate her relationships with her family and former paramours. It has been developed by Outerloop Games and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game was released on November 2, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
KeyWe is a 2021 puzzle-platform video game developed by Stonewheat & Sons and published by Sold Out. The game was released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on August 31, later releasing on September 28 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S ports were released on December 16. KeyWe follows Jeff and Debra, two kiwis working at the Bungalow Basin Telepost Office. KeyWe was prototyped during the 2018 Global Game Jam. Grant Gessel, the technical artist, took inspiration from Going Postal, a story by Terry Pratchett. Rare games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day inspired KeyWe's art style. KeyWe received mixed reviews from critics.
Lego Bricktales is a puzzle adventure game developed by ClockStone Studio and published by Thunderful. Lego Bricktales was released for Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on 12 October 2022, and for Android and iOS on 27 April 2023. A virtual/mixed reality version was released for Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro on 7 December 2023. Lego Bricktales received generally positive reviews.
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a 2023 visual novel video game developed by Xeen and published by Square Enix for Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. The game received positive reviews from critics.
Lost in Play is a 2022 point-and-click adventure game by Happy Juice Games and published by Joystick Ventures. It was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Nintendo Switch on August 10, 2022, and for iOS and Android on July 12, 2023. As a family-friendly game intended to look like a children's cartoon, the game follows the adventure of two imaginative siblings. Upon release, the game was praised for its charm, creativity, and accessibility.