Tails Noir Preludes
Tails Noir Preludes
Game
Game2021
Tails Noir
Developer Eggnut
Tails Noir (previously known as Backbone) is a 2021 noir role-playing indie video game by Canadian developer EggNut and published by Raw Fury. It was released for Microsoft Windows in June 2021, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in October 2021, and on Nintendo Switch in February 2022. A prequel, titled Tails Noir Preludes, was released in February 2023 on Windows. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
267 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 2, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
69
Fresh
129 positive · 59 negative
95% range 62–75%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 129 | 59 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 26 | 5 | 40 |
| Lemmy * | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Mastodon * | 1 | 0 | 2 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mixed
1,239 of 1,905 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
69% recommend · 133 yes, 59 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 192 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mixed (2,336 of 3,493 positive).
Players praise the gorgeous pixel art and moody music. [1][2][3] Many note a jarring narrative shift halfway through. [4][5][6] Some recommend the game only on sale due to its rushed second half. [2][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [3]
The shining star of the game that never falters is the art direction. It’s a neo-noir game, often dark and raining. With gorgeous dynamic lighting and realistic water animations, the artists add exquisite depth to every scene. The pixel art isn’t like your typical game, it’s done on layers so when combined with parallaxing, it creates an almost disorienting but immersive feeling. This 2.5D art style was masterfully …
- [6]
Dear Game Developers, Have an idea and stick with it don't put everything in a pot and hope for pot luck. Basically it's got gorgeous pixel art work, animations and music, but... It starts off as a proper Noir type drama. You know a dame in distress visiting a Bogart type PI for help. After Act 3 the story completely changes, wouldn't mind but it's shown as an investigation and Noir type game where the story goes is …
- [1]
I don't understand the mixed reviews — this game has a great story, beautiful pixel graphics, perfect moody music, and is a total VIBE. I replayed many sections just to explore the different options and choices. It's relaxing yet deeply engrossing. I wish this were a whole series, I would play a dozen of these games.
- [4]
First 3 hours were genuinley some of the most intriguing and interesting gameplay ive ever had. Then it swaps from a detective game to something completely different and gives you the same whisplash as crashing a fighter jet. Budget ran out which is why second half is the way it is, but damn man this could have been so crazy good. Still worth playing for first half tho.
- [2]
Recommend this game *if you can get it on sale*. Not worth the full price imo, for the reasons that are pointed out in almost every negative review here - halfway through the plot of the game breaks in illogical ways and never recovers. I do not object to open endings or unresolved plot threads, but in this game it is far too much. It feels like the story is missing several chapters between the middle and the …
Summarised from 34 of the 267 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
69% of the 192 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Tails Noir. The complaint that keeps coming up: rushed and disappointing second half. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Critics, per Wikipedia
The game was awarded with the Gran Prix, Best PC Game and Best Art categories at the DevGAMM Unreal Engine competition in Minsk, Belarus, and with the Best Indie Game Award at the Strasbourg European Film Festival in France.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 267 · most liked firstClarissa Bloodworth 🐻❄️( Tails Noir ) I loved this game! I feel sad for the raccoon 😭 Don't try to fool this woman, she always knows when you're lying, and she'll destroy you!
positive · AI labelView post →I played the Prologue and bought it right away despite the poor reviews, thinking it might just have a bad ending. I have to admit I enjoyed the art and the atmosphere, and I liked the controls but I am disappointed that from chapter 2 the game changes completely from a puzzle adventure to a walking/talking simulator. No puzzles at all, no sneaks, no inventory, only endless dialogues with choices that don't matter. I've seen lots of games that were rushed towards the end, and I can see past…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →scrolling through the Raw Fury sale and seeing Tails Noir (previously known as Backbone) Preludes and it just reminding me of how the ultimate plot point of the original game was "we cannot let people find out that Toronto exists"
neutral · AI labelView post →I played the demo and it completely hooked me. Got the full game and halfway through the story fell off a cliff. Everything that was promised at the beginning of the game was lost. What we got was a ridiculous second half with an even more ridiculous ending. This game could have been so great. Just play the demo and skip the full game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The shining star of the game that never falters is the art direction. It’s a neo-noir game, often dark and raining. With gorgeous dynamic lighting and realistic water animations, the artists add exquisite depth to every scene. The pixel art isn’t like your typical game, it’s done on layers so when combined with parallaxing, it creates an almost disorienting but immersive feeling. This 2.5D art style was masterfully done and is some of the best art I’ve seen in a game. The art was what…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The theme was attractive and the pixel art is really convincing. But the scenario goes completely off after act 2 and becomes completely absurd. As for the game itself, the controls are awful. And to crown the picture, the achievements are horribly bugged and the devs never cared to fix them after so many years. I find it quite insulting and it reflects somehow a lack of investment in what could have been a good game but is just a pure fail. I am quite annoyed it was rated so high by the pseudo…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Who is your favorite fictional raccoon?. For those dealing with severe memory loss such as myself, other options include: - Tom Nook (Animal Crossing) - Rocket Raccoon (Guardians of the Galaxy) - The Woodland Critters raccoon (South Park) - Meeko (Pocahontas) - Ranger Rick (Wildlife magazine mascot) - Zigzagoon (a pokemon but cose enough) - Racacoonie (Everything Everywhere All at Once) - The Coon (South Park) - Rick Raccoon (Shirt Tales) - Howard Lotor (Tails Noir video game) - BK (Donut…
neutral · AI labelView post →Dear Game Developers, Have an idea and stick with it don't put everything in a pot and hope for pot luck. Basically it's got gorgeous pixel art work, animations and music, but... It starts off as a proper Noir type drama. You know a dame in distress visiting a Bogart type PI for help. After Act 3 the story completely changes, wouldn't mind but it's shown as an investigation and Noir type game where the story goes is just bad! Should of stuck with the Noir aspect of the game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really want to recommend this game, but I simply can't because how confusingly bad the narrative shift starting from the third act onward. Playing this in 2026, after having watched Spider-Noir and being a lifetime fan of shows like Law & Order, I was immediately drawn into story's mystery with INCREDIBLE world building especially how its first two acts are genuinely so creatively intriguing. I absolutely love the pixel graphic art throughout, which further helps peek my interest as a…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's half of a story. Studio shut down, so there will probably never be a continuation.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →WTF was the ending? WTF was the whole point? WTF I just played? WHY???? WHAT???
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I honestly don't like the ending of the game at all. When the cutscene ended I was like 'there's no way that's it'. I had to check to make sure they didn't have a second game or anything, but no, that's actually the ending, wow! The ending leaves a lot of unanswered questions due to chapter 4 and 5 being incredibly vague. I was expecting more and I honestly dk why these reviews were literally warning me!! For some reason the main character (SPOILERS!!!) touches the artifact even after learning…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is awesome until it gives up and becomes a different story entirely. You could probably make the case that it gives up after what was the playable demo, but the writing seems to try to carry it further in my opinion. It gets well over halfway through and then becomes a strange jumble of disappointment by the end, swapping from a noir mystery to an unearned twist ending that cheapens the rest of the experience.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Um...excuse me? Uh. What happened guys? Had a GREAT set-up. Fantastic pixel-art and atmosphere. And the story goes on. And on... And then what? I think the guys who made this got sick of making this game. Like PHYSICALLY sick. They must have been a case of rabies going around in the office because the back half of the game feels like it was written in a fugue state. And maybe they wittingly or not wanted the player to feel their pain. Confusion. Nausea. And mostly...just bewilderment.…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I don't understand the mixed reviews — this game has a great story, beautiful pixel graphics, perfect moody music, and is a total VIBE. I replayed many sections just to explore the different options and choices. It's relaxing yet deeply engrossing. I wish this were a whole series, I would play a dozen of these games.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →the game shifted the narration in a very weird area and somehow crushed the experience of the game. I was enjoying the game then I felt disappointment. Very very sad turning for a game that could be great.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I did enjoy some aspects of the game: at times it can be quite stylish supernatural thriller. I don't mind the ending and don't think it's bad. Music is good and art is decent. Geese is a big thumbs up from me. Unfortunately, I can't say I can recommend it. Tails Noir is very hasty and doesn't seem to care about its own story or the pacing of it. Many things feel rushed and there is simply not enough air to breathe. As a PI, you won't do any PI work here. It is fundamentally wrong in how it…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →hii!! we're soup with friends and we're here to eat soup and make friends! so! we're giving away FIVE KEYS for our epic speedrunning car platformer called Tails Noir: Rebel Rush 1. to participate, plz retweet, follow me and @dmdspirit.bsky.social 2. results sometime tomorrow! 3. good day!!! 💜🧡
neutral · AI labelView post →I played Tails Noir as a fan of crime noir thrillers, and while the game initially had me hooked, I walked away disappointed... especially by the ending. It starts with a strong foundation: the atmosphere is gripping, the writing intriguing, and the world-building hints at a deep, layered mystery. The praise it receives for its setup isn't undeserved. Visually, it's stunning. The detailed pixel art and moody lighting are genuinely breathtaking it's a treat from an artistic perspective and…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I don't think i recommend this game. The visuals, concept, and story are all set up to be a fantastic game, and in the first little bit it is. However as other reviews have stated as well, I felt the game to be incredibly rushed, unfinished, and it loses its optionality and exploring in the second half of the game. I had hoped that they might have updated the game a little along with changing the name, however from the recent reviews it seems like no gameplay changes were made. I am honestly…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I remember being very excited for this game once it was first announced and played the prologue in 2019. The prologue left me very excited for more, once it released i saw the initial reviews and was put off from playing it. 7 years later I decided to give it a chance, as I assumed like any story game there can be conflicting feelings at the end, and some of the best games do truly leave you questioning more once your finished. What I like: - The visuals are amazing, I enjoyed the art and…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →peanut would love some pets and treats :) 🌸＞ フ | _ _ l ／` ミ＿xノ / | / ヽ ﾉ │ | | | ／￣| | | | | (￣ヽ＿_ヽ_)__) ＼二つ
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game has a great build up, indie charm, and is hard to put down...until Act 4. If felt the like the writers played Disco Elysium and decided to abandon all plot and character development for the sake of trying their hand at existential writing. I have never skipped through dialogue as quickly as I did in Act 4 and Act 5. There is a case to be made that the last two acts are vague allegories and none of those events happened as we see them, but the game does nothing to hint at this.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →First 3 hours were genuinley some of the most intriguing and interesting gameplay ive ever had. Then it swaps from a detective game to something completely different and gives you the same whisplash as crashing a fighter jet. Budget ran out which is why second half is the way it is, but damn man this could have been so crazy good. Still worth playing for first half tho.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Artpiece for "Running..." fanfiction by Chocoryuukishi. First of the five stories taking place before the events of the game and expanding the characters of Tails Noir. archiveofourown.org/series/3375403 #furry #furryart #furryartwork #TailsNoir #art #artwork
neutral · AI labelView post →It's a great looking game with wonderful vibes. However after two thirds of the game it stops being a mystery/investigation game and changes genre out of nowhere. So the game ultimately fails to deliver on its premise,
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Recommend this game *if you can get it on sale*. Not worth the full price imo, for the reasons that are pointed out in almost every negative review here - halfway through the plot of the game breaks in illogical ways and never recovers. I do not object to open endings or unresolved plot threads, but in this game it is far too much. It feels like the story is missing several chapters between the middle and the ending. The game is very short as it is. That said, the pixel art is gorgeous, the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Pros: - Beautiful pixel art graphics, the kind I really love. - Very interesting characters. - An amazing start with a classic noir detective atmosphere that completely hooks you. Cons: The first two acts are great, and then the plot breaks. It turns into weird alien sci-fi, as if written by a completely different person. The game gives you the illusion of choice, but there’s only one ending: you get dumped in a desert and the credits roll. It’s not a win or a loss, just a dud. No…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I unfortunately have to agree with many reviewers who feel that the twist in the middle of the game was disappointing, rather than thrilling. Tails Noir opens with SUCH a strong premise and begins pulling you along on this journey of mystery and discovery. I wanted to learn more about this world, I wanted to unravel its secrets, see deep into its corruption, and learn about this lore. I was SO excited to see more and more of the city, learn about the Apes, about Clarissa, save the missing…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I found the first 2 chapters a very enjoyable classic noir, but About halfway through the game makes a very noticable change in tone and story. You'll either really like this change or not. I personally wasn't a fan but I still don't regret playing it. So keep that in mind if you decide to play
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's okay at best but I would have probably given this a thumbs up if it wasn't for that ABYSMAL DUMPSTER of a SAVE SYSTEM. When is it saved? YOU'LL NEVER KNOW - except between the acts. I guess it saves then.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Definitely an interesting game. I would recommend giving it a play when on sale, but be ready to be disappointed by the ending I’ll try to explain my complaints without spoiling too much. Yippeee: -interesting concept -great shading and color scheme -good characters -great first half of story -music was wonderful Boooo: - extremely easy - second half of game was mid -second half felt rushed and repetitive Graphics 10/10 Plot 7/10 Characters 8/10 Controls 9/10 Music 9/10 Here’s where the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played this game back when it was called Back Bone. I felt like that title was the perfect name for what the main character endures and grows a backbone to face. This game is not for everyone. The story takes a crazy twist and will leave you questioning so many things.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Yes, the 2nd half does feel disconnected from the first half. However, the game dares to be different. Slowing itself down, letting us appreciate the incredible vibes and feelings they wanted to present. The dialogue feels incredibly compelling, and immersive. The characters do not feel out of place and it doesn't rely on overused tropes to push the story forward. I understand why a lot of people might feel a bit mixed about the game, and honestly I get it. Feels like they missed the mark…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Stream schedule for Twitch! #vtuber #envtuber #furry Starting tonight with Lil Gator Game! Right now! We have a movie night in the Discord on Wednesday and I'll have a new schedule for then. Next up is Tails Noir on Saturday 6pm EST. Then 2064: Read Only Memories for Moday 6pm EST.
neutral · AI labelView post →"Well well well, who do we have behind my back" Another day another Bear. 🐻❄️ Clarissa Bloodworth from the game "Tails Noir" #fanart #illustration #sfw #TailsNoir
neutral · AI labelView post →Got this game on sale at some point because the art style interested me. The game starts off really strong with some very interesting puzzles and opportunities for deduction, but after a climatic reveal the game really takes a swan dive off a cliff with plodding on-rail segments punctuated with long, rambling word salads that I'd imagine speak to a lot of people, but the secret is that they are so vague you can ascribe any meaning you want and any remotely clever wordsmith could ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ how…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →There's a lot to like in this game, at least judging by its first parts. The graphics are pretty, there are interesting characters to interact with and the beginning of the story is intriguing enough. But there's one flaw which is irredeemable for me regarding the game saves. There's no manual saving, which is fine. Lots of games do that. But there are cases when the game saves automatically, I quit, and when I return it starts from the beginning of the chapter. And this is a game based on…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's another mystery game! Finished Tails Noir today. Dystopian Vancouver setting and an anthropomorphic cast. The gritty noir mystery takes a turn midway through... Two in a row with mystery and an anthropomorphic cast--this one goes much darker than Beacon Pines.
positive · AI labelView post →I really wish steam had some sort of midground between recommend and don't, because I have very mixed feelings on this game. Overall I don't think its worth it at full price, but if you enjoy short artsy projects with excellent atmosphere and catch it on sale for cheap then you'll probably find it a good way to spend an evening. The visuals and music are genuinely beautiful and set the mood excellently, the premise and setting are really intriguing and the main cast of characters all came off…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →(SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) howard randomly decides to be stupid and touches the artifact and ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ dies simulator genuinely what is the point? making your characters suffer is a natural and normal part of storytelling but it has to mean something the characters have to do something meaningful and big in the story to land them in that horrible position --…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was a little skeptical of all the negative reviews of this game given how strong the first two thirds, we'll say, was. It was shaping up to be a really nice, really tight, really gritty neo noir tale. Then you smash into the last third with no lead up, no breaks, and then the game's just over. It's a genuine shame because it's not bad wring or a bad story, it's just bad pacing. I think the twist could have worked if this game was about twice as long -- maybe even three times given how…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →While I like the art and the story in the beginning, there is a bad twist half-way though that changes everything. If you want to solve murders in a detective game, this is not it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →While I appreciate what they wanted to do, and the general vibe of the game, it fell short by the end of it. Nonspecific plot-related spoilers ahead: I came to this with the assumption that it would be a noir/mystery, but everything set up in the first three acts is abandoned or made irrelevant by a hard plot turn in the third act, where your choices effectively don't matter anymore. I won't belabor the point, but my frustration / disappointment is fueled by how much I was invested in the…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I liked the first half of the game, but it really falls apart after that.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Got this game already for a while in my backlog, got it through humble bundle. I really wanted to like this game, from the amazing visual pixel style, the detective noir setting combined with the interesting world. Really should have been an amazing combination. The pixel style is impeccable really amazing, from the characters to the world. I'm a big fan of detective noir, games/stories this was a big plus for me. And this set in an interesting world a reflection on our own, with it's own…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I understand the negative reviews, and I agree that this game feels rushed and unfinished, but man I cannot ignore how pretty the art style is. The story is very linear, I've played through it a few times to see if the ending would change, but was disappointed, however I still had a good time playing it, hence the positive review.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was skeptical to play this game initially because of the mixed reviews here, but I'm really glad I decided to play it regardless. I disagree with the sentiment that the twist was out of place, I think the story had a gradual shift to the that plotline and even though I was prepared to be disappointed by the ending, on the contrary, I really enjoyed how the mystery was "wrapped up". It's certainly not what it's advertised as though, I was expecting a clear cut detective story from both the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The first time it deleted my save and made me start over, I tried to be patient, the second time it happened I deleted the game without a second thought.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am sucker for this genre, but man this was bad. I played it twice to get all the achievements and to maybe giving it another a chance but no. Sure the game looks incredible, but that is where the positives end. The dialogue and story is okay, I feel like we jumped from a simple case, to something more serious, to something insane. It just felt badly connected, and it progressed so fast it just didn't feel right. Just to mention, I know not every detective game focuses on the puzzles. This one…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You know that kid in school that doesn't care about class but is smart and everyone says that he has a lot of potential? But with the years passing he holds on to that and never actually does anything with is life? Well.. this game is that feeling. Someone with a lot of potential, that never got around doing something with the blessings that he got. The game starts of great, amazing actually, and then.. well nothing. What a shame.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game's construction and plot were good, but the ending was disappointing. All the investigation and choices I carefully made ultimately proved worthless, and the game only had one ending. A truly disappointing ending. It was supposed to have some symbolism, surrealism, or mystery, but it truly disappointed me. It was an enjoyable experience, but I wish it had been more polished. +It was visually pleasing tbh.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →"Tails Noir" whispers promises of detective work, but past the first act, it shifts from puzzles, seemingly-meaningful dialogue trees, and stealth mechanics into more of a walking simulator. The story feels incomplete. This isn't a cool, Lynchian abstraction of a game; it feels more like a tale rushed to meet a deadline before elements were fully developed. Hints of ideas simply aren't fully explored as you'd expect them to be. I loved the incredibly gorgeous pixel art, the bleak yet earnest…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →First half of the game, everything is great but if falls off a cliff for the last half of the game and NOTHING gets resolved with the story. Nothing you do matters and the big mystery that was being built up is thrown away. It's a real shame cause the graphics are so beautiful and stunning and I was starting to get into the story.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Afternoon, Listeners! @raffitheowl.bsky.social and I are live tonight with a new Cold Cases game! Join us at 7.30p BST/2.30p EDT as we try Tails Noir, a game that channels both SCUMM adventure games and Disco Elysium dialogue! twitch.tv/theneoncaster
neutral · AI labelView post →Decent game. The artistic design (pixel art) is incredible, good soundtrack and good narrative. The history.... well the history is good until to the middle game, but later...... is then it get confusing and the final is........"diffuse" to say at least. Special mention for spanish language support.(Subtitles).
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Less of a detective game and more of an existential horror visual novel. For those looking for a classic detective mystery, puzzles, or a branching story - this isn't it. Tails Noir is a strong linear story with gorgeous art and music. It's tragic and weird, as much as it is hopeful and comforting. I just wish it had embraced the weirdness from the start instead going all in for the "surprise twist." Anyone looking to solve a mystery is gonna get the rug pulled out from under them. But if…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →it was in interesting play. But it honestly lost me half way through the game. I was left with more questions then answers and that really sucked. Especially since EGGNUT has shut down and there is no hope for a sequel. Don't get me wrong, love the cinematic and the music..... But it just felt like I was shown a unfinished story. I do plan to play the prequel, but I don't have an expectation for a satisfying ending. It is worth getting on a sale maybe, but not at full price.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played the game from start to finish and I agree with other reviews mentioning the sudden change of story and tone. Which reminds me of another (partially) great historical detective game that was wonderful, detailed and had me hooked. Until 15 hours in the remaining characters suddenly turned out to be incest vampires. Well, there are no incest vampires here, which is a positive, but I am still unhappy with this game :(
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This ♥♥♥♥ ass. Really was enjoying the first half and the themes it was presenting and challenging. However, it just did come to anything. If that game was only Part 1 and Part 2, it would be a great start. But that game clearly is not a finished product.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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