Telling Lies

 PlayStation 4
Telling Lies Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 35 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: An investigative thriller game with non-linear storytelling, Telling Lies revolves around a cache of secretly recorded video conversations. Starring Logan Marshall-Green, Alexandra Shipp, Kerry Bishé, Angela Sarafyan and directed by Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story and Silent Hill: ShatteredAn investigative thriller game with non-linear storytelling, Telling Lies revolves around a cache of secretly recorded video conversations. Starring Logan Marshall-Green, Alexandra Shipp, Kerry Bishé, Angela Sarafyan and directed by Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. PlayStation Universe
    Apr 27, 2020
    100
    Telling Lies is a flawless piece of work. This is Sam Barlow perfecting what he was able to achieve with Her Story and bolstering it with a bigger story and being supported by four powerhouse performances. Telling Lies offered me five incredible hours and everyone should experience this masterpiece with their own eyes.
  2. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Apr 28, 2020
    90
    Telling Lies is a fantastic experience hinged on the themes of context and perspective, with a ton of additional themes layered underneath that wider arc. “There are two sides to every story, and then there’s the truth.” The mystery lies in the human experience, differing motivations, and how conversations change contextually. It’s the same story, but every player will experience it differently based on what themes draw their attention and how they connect the dots. Perspective and context. Sam Barlow is pioneering new ways to bring interactivity to FMV media, blending film, games, and the human experience in ways that shouldn’t be missed.
  3. Game Rant
    Apr 28, 2020
    80
    With its high production values, impressive on-screen talent, and an engaging story told in a truly spectacular way, Telling Lies is a truly unique and compelling experience. Whether one prefers to absorb their stories through video games or film, Telling Lies is a must-play for fans of storytelling in any form.
  4. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jun 4, 2020
    80
    A perfectly executed peep-’emup that makes you feel in control of your investigation, and tells a twisting tale that you won’t easily forget. [Issue#176, p.81]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Push Square
    Apr 28, 2020
    70
    Telling Lies is one of the best experiences to make use of FMV on PS4, telling a fascinating narrative that'll have you guessing what revelation will come your way next. What's more, the star-studded cast of characters does an excellent job of bringing the script to life, but it is held back by a perplexing rewind function. Had it been implemented better, the game would be on the cusp of greatness. Although, in its current state, Telling Lies is still a very safe recommendation for fans of the genre.
  6. Finger Guns
    Aug 9, 2020
    70
    You’re going to want a pen and a pad nearby to keep track of your characters, the threads and the keywords you’ll want to search for, and some questionable design decisions hold the game back from being an all-out classic of the genre – with the shocks and twists of Her Story towering over Telling Lies’ endgame – but it’s still well worth exploring if you’re looking for an interactive mystery to untangle.
  7. GameCritics
    May 29, 2020
    65
    Telling Lies is a fantastic game…On PC. On consoles it’s playable, and for those who don’t have any other alternative it’ll do in a pinch, but playing with a mouse and keyboard is the way to go. The experience is so thematically intertwined with the pretense of using a personal computer that a lot is lost in the translation to home consoles. Considering the low system requirements, anyone with a relatively recent laptop should be able to run the PC version, making the console versions obsolete on arrival. The devs did the best they could with the port, but it’s still a distant second best to the original.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 3 out of 7
  1. MondayQB
    May 3, 2020
    10
    A cerebral exploration of what we think we know and what might be reality. My brother is a detective in LA and he played this game (remotelyA cerebral exploration of what we think we know and what might be reality. My brother is a detective in LA and he played this game (remotely and socially distanced), and his comment was that Telling Lies is about as close as you can get to what it is like to be a detective without having to join the force. My view is that this was entertaining and interesting - and quite a break from the "mash the buttons" games that, while certainly fun, can become repetitive. Definitely worth the money - a must buy.… Expand
  2. iBob1977
    Oct 17, 2021
    10
    ** QUICK SKIP HACK FOUND FOR PS5/PS4 ***

    After a lot of frustration, I found it: You hold L2/R2 to fast forward/rewind. While holding    ** QUICK SKIP HACK FOUND FOR PS5/PS4 ***

    After a lot of frustration, I found it:

    You hold L2/R2 to fast forward/rewind.
    While holding it down, you press TRIANGLE.
    You press TRIANGLE AGAIN to get our of the instructions and then...IT STARTS GOING BACK/FORTH at 10x SPEED!
    Now let your L2/R2 button.
    BE CAREFUL ---> DON'T PRESS X YET!
    Move the opposite direction a bit like if you went back, then go forth.
    And THERE YOU GO! It starts at the new point!!!

    Thank you!

    Btw, the game gets a 10/10 because of the feelings it gave me, the amazing acting and direction and cause its GOOD to have games like this happen more often.    … Expand
  4. DangerDave1409
    Jan 24, 2023
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I need to admit I only played it so far for like 2 hours but it already is quite boring and strange to just see videos, searching for clues in these without any real reason. The story so far seems boring and badly written.… Expand
  5. Messeboy
    Apr 30, 2020
    5
    While there is an interesting story here, and I understand the casting cost must have been fairly high.... the game does not warrant the priceWhile there is an interesting story here, and I understand the casting cost must have been fairly high.... the game does not warrant the price tag in playtime and replayability.… Expand
  6. MrEBE
    Aug 5, 2023
    3
    Boring.. boring and boring.. the story can be resumed in 2 to 3 sentences ! Seriously.. If only there was some efforts put on the "game" sideBoring.. boring and boring.. the story can be resumed in 2 to 3 sentences ! Seriously.. If only there was some efforts put on the "game" side of this mini movie ! But no.. the game can be resumed to this:

    You browse 170 videos.. that's it !
    To you to make something of it.. To me it was like being forced to see a small tv episode being divided into 170 pieces and in a complete messed order !!

    How fun is that ??    … Expand
  7. anton1453x
    Oct 16, 2022
    3
    Not good, wouldn't recommend it. Got it for free with ps extra, i normally enjoy this types of games. But this was pretty boring overall
  8. JayAlex
    Apr 24, 2021
    2
    Too expensive for what you get, and if you're expecting "Her Story 2," this isn't it, it isn't even close. Part of what made Her Story workToo expensive for what you get, and if you're expecting "Her Story 2," this isn't it, it isn't even close. Part of what made Her Story work was the micro-viewing sessions, which are replaced with longer, more tedious one-sided delivery that seems to be basically ignorant of what makes a game fun - this is more a slog than fun. Don't recommend.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best PS4 Game of 2020