Secret Mode and developer Lab42 have released narrative puzzle game, A Storied Life: Tabitha, on Steam PC and Nintendo Switch ($14.99). A 10% launch discount is currently available on Steam.
A Storied Life: Tabitha takes players to the home of Tabitha, an elderly loved one who has recently died. Tabitha’s wishes were to print her memoirs, but they’ve become damaged. The player’s job is to explore the house and piece together her life through clues and items.
That could be the setup for a horror game, but A Storied Life is quite cozy-looking, with a diorama-like view, and gorgeous watercolor visuals.
Part of the player’s job is also to sort through the home and decide what needs to be kept, what can be sold, and what needs to be trashed. Only a single box of keepsakes can be kept per room, forcing players to make decisions on what to keep.
Like Unpacking, the house is very interactive, with players moving furniture, rotating objects, and unfolding letters. Not to mention having to squeeze everything you want to keep in the keepsake boxes, including folding letters and wrapping fragile objects.
Tabitha lived a rich life, and it’s up to the player to decide what elements to focus on in her memoir. There’s no right or wrong answers, just interesting decisions to make.
“This has been one of the most fulfilling projects we’ve ever worked on, and we’re so excited to finally get the full game into player’s hands,” said Terry Goodwin and Cherish Goldstraw, developers, Lab42. “We’ve been bowled over by the positive reception so far, and it’s been a pleasure watching people resonate with our little game. We hope they enjoy the full experience just as much.”
A Storied Life: Tabitha is out now on Steam and Switch. A free demo is also available to download.
