Storyteller (video game)

2023 puzzle video game

2023 video game

Storyteller

Developer(s)| Daniel Benmergui
Publisher(s)| Annapurna Interactive[a]
Artist(s)| Jeremias Babini
Composer(s)| Zypce
Engine| Unity[1]
Platform(s)|

* Microsoft Windows
* Nintendo Switch
* iOS
* Android

Release|

* Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
* March 23, 2023
* iOS, Android
* September 26, 2023

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]

## Gameplay

[edit]

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]

## Development

[edit]

Screenshot of the early prototype of the game that won the IGF Nuovo in 2012.

Storyteller has been under development by Argentine 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] Benmergui would later bring on artist Jeremias Babini, who replaced the game's pixel art aesthetic with a style inspired by antique children's books, and composer Zypce as the game's sound designer.[10] A limited time demo of the game, featuring its new art and music, was released in July 2021.[11][12]

## Reception

[edit]

Reception

Aggregate scoresAggregator| Score

|

Metacritic| (NS) 73/100[13]
(PC) 70/100[14]
OpenCritic| 70/100[15]
44% Critics Recommend
Review scoresPublication| Score

|

GameSpot| 4/10[16]
Hardcore Gamer| 3.5/5[17]
Nintendo Life| [18]
PC Gamer (US)| 76/100[19]
RPGFan| 77/100[20]
Shacknews| 7/10[21]
TouchArcade| 4/5[22]

Storyteller received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[13][14]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ iOS and Android ports published by Netflix.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Saver, Michael; Pung, Julia; Stanton, Devon (4 January 2024). "Made with Unity: 2023 in review". Unity Technologies. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
2. ^ Romano, Sal (9 November 2022). "Storyteller launches March 23, 2023". Gematsu. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
3. ^ Romano, Sal (29 June 2023). "Storyteller coming to iOS, Android on September 27 alongside free update". Gematsu. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
4. ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (29 June 2023). "Everything announced at Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2023: Blade Runner, Stray on Xbox, and more". Digital Trends. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
5. ^ Bell, Alice (22 March 2023). "Storyteller review: a delightful bookish puzzler that ends before you're ready". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
6. ^ Grayson, Nathan (22 January 2014). "Awwww: Storyteller Development Put On Hold". Rock Paper Shotgun.
7. ^ Grayson, Nathan (15 December 2012). "A Reminder: You Should Be Quite Excited About Storyteller". Rock Paper Shotgun.
8. ^ Plante, Chris (7 March 2012). "Here are your winners of the 2012 Independent Games Festival". Polygon. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
9. ^ De rockstar a vivir con tu madre: Daniel Benmergui - F*ckup Nights Buenos Aires [From rockstar to live with your mom: Daniel Benmergui - F*ckup Nights Buenos Aires] (in Spanish). Fvckup Nights. 6 July 2020 - via YouTube.
10. ^ Romero, Adrienne (25 March 2023). "Storyteller Interview: Dev Talks 15-Year Journey For Its Twisted Classic Stories". Game Rant. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
11. ^ Ruppert, Liana (29 July 2021). "Storyteller And The Vulnerabilities That Come With Being An Indie Developer". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
12. ^ Chalk, Andy (29 July 2021). "Annapurna reveals Storyteller, a compact, clever puzzle game about telling tales". PC Gamer.
13. ^ a b "Storyteller for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
14. ^ a b "Storyteller for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
15. ^ "Storyteller Reviews". OpenCritic.
16. ^ Howard, Jessica (5 April 2023). "Storyteller Review - Tale As Old As Time". GameSpot. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
17. ^ Helm, Jordan (5 April 2023). "Review: Storyteller". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
18. ^ Bell, Lowell (22 March 2023). "Mini Review: Storyteller - A Clever, Funny Little Puzzler From Annapurna". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
19. ^ Bailes, Jon (22 March 2023). "Storyteller review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
20. ^ Richardson, Bob (22 March 2023). "Storyteller Review". RPGFan. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
21. ^ Shaver, Morgan (22 March 2023). "Storyteller review: Tales as old as time". Shacknews. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
22. ^ Musgrave, Shaun (24 March 2023). "SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Storyteller', Plus 'Atelier Ryza 3' and Today's Other Releases and Sales". TouchArcade. Retrieved 24 March 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Developer website
* Composer profile

* v
* t
* e

Annapurna Interactive

Released/Published|

* What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)
* Flower (2017)
* Gorogoa (2017)
* Florence (2018)
* Donut County (2018)
* Gone Home (2018)
* Ashen (2018)
* Outer Wilds (2019)
* Journey (2019)
* Telling Lies (2019)
* Sayonara Wild Hearts (2019)
* Wattam (2019)
* Kentucky Route Zero (2020)
* If Found... (2020)
* The Unfinished Swan (2020)
* I Am Dead (2020)
* The Pathless (2020)
* Maquette (2021)
* Last Stop (2021)
* Twelve Minutes (2021)
* The Artful Escape (2021)
* Solar Ash (2021)
* A Memoir Blue (2022)
* Neon White (2022)
* Stray (2022)
* Hohokum (2022)
* Hindsight (2022)
* Storyteller (2023)
* Mundaun (2023)
* Cocoon (2023)
* Thirsty Suitors (2023)
* Open Roads (2024)
* Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (2024)
* Flock (2024)

Upcoming|

* Bounty Star (2024)
* Wanderstop (2025)
* Wheel World (2025)
* Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth (TBA)
* Lushfoil Photography Sim (TBA)
* Silent Hill: Townfall (TBA)

Related|

* Annapurna Pictures

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