On Your Tail Review

The cozy genre is becoming increasingly popular, and indie developers are constantly releasing unique titles that are not only fun to play but also addictive. On Your Tail is one of these indie games developed by memorable studios that invites you to visit a charming coastal village. While it’s a cozy and pretty world, there's a mystery to uncover. Is it worthwhile to spend your time on this tour of a small part of Italy?

On Your Tail, in which they have crafted a heartfelt narrative about a young woman who is going through a shift in her life, as well as any other elements that they desire to add to a video game. There is a wide variety of activities available at Borgo Marina, including but not limited to going on dates, playing marbles, riding boats, delivering mail, and anything else that comes to mind. The story is similar to slice-of-life tales such as Giraffe and Annika, but it places a significant emphasis on the growth of characters throughout the entire hometown.

In the very first scene of On Your Tail, our protagonist, Diana, is seen to be unsuccessful in their job. Starting from the very outset, it is abundantly evident that she is not exactly moving in the correct path. She continues to live vicariously via the lives of other people, with no intention of pursuing her own goals and ambitions.

After that, she gets on her Vespa and dashes away, just like any other young goat that has been transformed. Her goal is to move to Borgo Marina, a seaside community; however, her life takes a turn for the worst when she is involved in a string of robberies that cannot be explained and when she comes dangerously close to being involved in a vehicle accident. 

Is it significant that Diana does not have any prior experience working as an investigator? In contrast, she uses her mother's guidance and the skills she was unaware she possessed to immerse herself in the drama unfolding in the town, producing an unforgettable experience not only for herself but also for everyone else. 

At first, it is a piece of cake: all she needs to do is investigate the crime scene by conducting interviews with witnesses or by using her chronolens to see into the past in order to piece together clues. The fact that nobody seems to care about her chronolens is a funny thing to observe. 

At this point, the camera angle shifts to mimic a board game diorama, and Diana makes use of the cards to repeat the events and establish the correct sequence of events in order to reconstruct the murder with the help of the cards. Simple, uncomplicated, and presented originally are essential qualities.

As will become clear in the following parts of the story, Diana will not only have to locate a place to stay in Borgo Marina, but she will also have to figure out how to generate money there. Mini-games such as being a waitress, perfecting the flavors of gelato at a café, or even more boring activities such as delivering mail throughout the town are all examples of ways in which you could learn about this.

As you travel each street, knock on doors, and encounter a range of one hundred locals, this writer considered the mail delivery job the best since it shows On Your Tail's strongest aspects. In all honesty, this writer thought it was the best job. Even those with somewhat minor roles get the opportunity to exhibit a great deal of personality; they are all adorable and done in a wonderful style. 

Another significant advantage is Borgo Marina, which is visually magnificent and brimming with life because the Memorable Games' excellent reproduction of a charming Italian village gives it this quality. This town features meandering streets, picturesque hills and vistas, and hints of activity around every corner.

As you progress through the area, you will have access to a greater variety of in-game activities, such as fishing, which will enable you to earn more money and provide you with something to gather simultaneously. In addition, there is a plethora of additional content that can be accessed, including photographic competitions, hunts for hidden constellations, marble races with courses that are shockingly difficult, and a great deal more.

Now that the main story and citizens are out of the way, On Your Tail can truly shine with its variety of other activities. Aside from delivering mail, I've also worked as a gelato maker and a café server. The challenge is entertaining and doesn't linger too long. And they are just a handful of the things you can do in the main case. 

A few characters can go on dates, new talents can be learned from books, and gear, things, and even swimwear can be purchased. Among Diana's many wardrobe options are, indeed, swimsuits. That being said, I've never thought of myself as a furry, but why does Diana have to have such big, wide cheeks? I'm irritated by her, but it probably won't change the outcome of the game.

In some ways, On Your Tail is similar to Mineko's Night Market in that it combines elements of a life simulation with an adventure game, but it falls short of striking a good balance between the two. While it's true that participating in the life simulation aspects is important—Diana is always on the lookout for new experiences that would help—and that they are mostly voluntary, it's also evident that On Your Tail prioritizes the driving storyline over those aspects. Even when you pay attention to the plot, it seems like it's trying too hard to have you interact with the community.

Diana, for instance, is tasked with conducting an investigation into a villa that has been abandoned at one point. Consequently, in order to board Diana's motor scooter and proceed to the location in question, you will need to make the arduous journey back to the entrance of Borgo Marina (sadly, it appears that there is no express transportation available). When Diana arrives at the estate, she discovers that the only way to interact with the property is to unlock the gate that is locked. 

What treatment did she take? It was already decided that Chea, the mechanic, would be responsible for putting together a device that resembles a skeleton key. The only way out of this situation is for you to go back to Borgo Marina and then make the journey to Chea's workshop, which is situated on the opposite side of town. 

According to her, the process of putting one together will take a full day. In order to make progress in the game, you decide to spend the night in Diana's room. However, when you wake up, the game notifies you that new friend activities have become available, which makes you want to participate in those activities instead. 

It is true that you will have to travel quite a bit between different regions in On Your Tail to figure out what you want to do; it is comparable to riding a ride at an amusement park that never allows you to leave the gift shops. 

After a certain amount of time, it can become frustrating if you are attempting to keep your focus on the mystery and find out where this masked thief thing is heading you. However, are you able to pinpoint the component that is the most frustrating? Although you are seeking to solve the true mystery, the life simulation components of the game are not nearly as satisfying as the mystery itself.

Just so we're clear, I have nothing but praise for the life simulation elements, which are absolutely top-notch—especially when paired with such a charming ensemble of characters. The gameplay of the mystery portions, however, starts to flop after a while. 

Gathering clues becomes a bit like playing "spot the difference" with the chronolens, and the board game parts become overly dependent on trial and error to learn things, with only one right sequence of cards to choose, regardless of how well you understand the final answer or plot-relevant element. It's not like Phoenix Wright, where picking a new piece of evidence fixes your incorrect guess. The sole choice in On Your Tail is to begin anew. 

It doesn't help that the chronolens are Diana's sole tool for inquiry and that you have to learn important things the hard way because the game doesn't display them to you. Diana attempted to uncover the truth about who might have broken into someone's cellar in one of her investigations. The burglar allegedly shifted a rug to paint a ceremonial mark on the floor, then shifted it back, according to the deduction that is revealed while playing the cards. 

Even before Diana finds out the rug was moved, she refrains from moving it again to observe the symbol; nevertheless, the chronolens segment never mentions anything about such a symbol. From what I can see, the mystery elements are trying to pull a fast one by hiding some crucial facts. There are only four of these sections, but at least the ones that rely simply on cards perform much better and make more sense.

On Your Tail's visuals are nice for an indie game, but if this is your first time playing such a game, you might not like it. While the game has a cartoonish art style, which is pretty decent, it’s not my cup of tea. The sound, however, is pretty nice and relaxing, complementing the whole gameplay.

In the end, On Your Tail is ideal for those who love cozy detective adventure games. With its genuine tale, charming characters, and abundance of side activities, this adventure isn't shy about letting its emotions show. The true friendliness and adventure spirit come through even when the pace or navigation is off. I think this charming little mystery will stay with everyone open to its kind, inviting environment, and Diana's journey made me smile long after the credits rolled.