Telling Lies

Telling Lies

game

2019, Point-and-click, Simulator

WISE
68%

WISE Score

65%

IGDB

A voyeuristic detective thriller that turns 'creeping' into an art form—just don't play it with the kids in the room.

Where to Play

PlayStation
PlayStation
PC/Steam
PC/Steam
Xbox
Xbox
Nintendo
Nintendo
Screenwise Verdict

Telling Lies is basically the ultimate 'creeping' simulator. You sit at a virtual desktop and search through a massive database of stolen webcam footage to piece together a story about an undercover agent and the four women in his life.

It’s slow, it’s messy, and it’s deeply human. You aren't being told a story; you’re digging one up. Just be warned: it’s rated M for a reason. There’s nudity, heavy swearing, and themes that will fly way over a kid's head while being totally inappropriate for them to see anyway. For a teen or adult who likes a good mystery, it’s a masterclass in non-linear storytelling.

Age Fit

Strictly for the 17+ crowd. It’s a mature thriller that deals with adult relationships and government secrets, so keep the younger kids away from the screen.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
40

The game is built entirely around deception, infidelity, and secrets. While emotionally resonant, it’s the opposite of 'clean' or 'kind'—it's a messy look at human flaws.

Imaginative
88

It ditches traditional levels for a search-engine mechanic. You have to use your own curiosity and vocabulary to dig through the story, which is a brilliant way to engage a player's brain.

Safe
35

Capped due to mature content. This isn't a 'safe' family game; it contains full-frontal nudity, heavy profanity (F-bombs), and adult situations like cam-girl sessions and political subversion.

Enriching
82

It’s a workout for your media literacy. You have to synthesize information, spot contradictions, and understand subtext. It rewards patience and critical thinking over fast reflexes.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • It makes you feel like a real detective, typing keywords into a database to find clips.
  • Top-tier acting from Logan Marshall-Green and Alexandra Shipp makes the 'video' feel like real life.
  • It respects your intelligence by not giving you a 'to-do' list; you just follow the breadcrumbs.
  • The non-linear structure means every player discovers the 'big lie' in a different way.
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What to Watch For

  • Brief full-frontal nudity and 'cam-girl' sequences that are definitely not for kids.
  • Constant use of strong profanity throughout the video clips.
  • The gameplay is slow; if you don't like reading or taking notes, you'll be bored in ten minutes.

Conversation Starters

  • "Is it ever okay to look through someone else's private files if you think they're doing something wrong?"
  • "How do people change their 'face' depending on who they are talking to on a screen?"
  • "Can you really understand a person's life just by watching their recorded videos out of order?"
  • "Why do we feel the need to lie to the people we love the most?"

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