Not a game.

I was so excited for this and immediately downloaded it before I read the reviews. Man, do I wish I would have before I wasted $3 for 30 minutes. This app is not a game. it is visually stunning & i absolutely loved the music. But it was just endless tapping and going through a story rather than having the freedom of doing anything yourself. I loved the idea of this game but I felt like I was in a VERY long tutorial and never got to have any input of the actual player. This game had so much potential too since i’m a huge fan of Grave Yard Keeper. I recommend that game over this one a thousand times. This just seems like such a waste and i’m very disappointed. Another thing I disliked was that there was so many time gaps like you cremate one body and then you’re next body is two months later ? It just seemed so weird that the “game” was trying to pass time so quickly rather than letting the player actual go through different months and days. The ending was supposed to be a cute “aww good for her!” moment but it’s completely lost since there is NO connection to the main character or the other characters in the game since there is no freedom to actually do anything other than what the game wants you to do. Don’t bother downloading this because there’s no point to replay this scripted story. Uninstalling now.

Disappointing

I really wanted to love this. From the cute art styles, the beautiful music, and the story game aspect I expected it to be like playing What Remains of Edith Finch. The skipping chunks of time was very frustrating, because you get tiny snippets of her life and relationships and suddenly it’s a month and a half later. You lose the momentum of the story in that. You never get to see her replies, or interact with any of the people that are named characters at all. Moving on to the actions... I’ve never played a game that was entirely a tutorial. Once you show an action that should be it. I shouldn’t have to wait for the instructions, then be allowed to do something I’ve done five times. Maybe that can be made optional in the settings? Just a thought. The thing that was the hardest for me was that obviously her life was going on beyond the ten or so days that we play as her. I like that her story progressed to such a positive place, but again there’s that missing momentum with the time skips, and there’s so much missed opportunity by not showing the greener techniques that she was headed towards with her own business. This could be a great game. Right now it feels like an outline full of bulletpoints instead of a story.

From a fellow interested player.

This was a great game. From the cute art style to the transitions. Everything was simple yet cute. The story seemed quite interesting especially if you took your time to dive head first into this cute story. Though it was quite cute and interesting it did leave a bit to be yearned for. For instance, in a game that I have to pay for I am looking for a bit longer of a game. Not one I could sit down and do in a single sitting. Of course no offense to the creators in every regard except the last I was very pleased with the quality of this game. The only other problem which for me was a minor one was the lack of music, though I did see a menu for the music and an adjustment to the music I could not seem to make the music work. Which again meaner very little to me especially since this game was, as I have already stated, cute, interesting , and very good at sucking the player in and allowing for them to connect with the story. Not only that but it also was really interesting to learn so much about the post-death process and what the earth friendly options are. Looking forward to more games. Thank you!

Such an amazing game.

This game while short as some have stated, was absolutely lovely. (Thank you Apple for erasing my well thought out review as I went to look up a word real quick... hopefully I can remember.) This game came out at a significant time for me. I am finishing my associates degree and trying to figure out what to do with all these psych courses. I have always been very interested in the mortuary field but decided against it years ago because of my crippling social anxiety. The thing is, that is something that will hinder me at any job. This game has prompted me to open my eyes to the profession again. I have talked with my advisor about taking a cosmetology course and perhaps going into mortuary makeup art. That may not pan out, but at least then I will have tried to do what I really want. I find the idea of staring down into dead faces and helping put one to rest so calming and spiritually connected. Thank you for adding the final piece in prompting me to try what I really feel in love with (the idea anyhow, since obviously I haven’t worked the profession.)

Great potential, but falls short of expectations.

I had high hopes for this game. I think there are many opportunities that could be pursued but unfortunately this game just doesn’t hit the mark that it should’ve. There was a wonderful opportunity for a split-ending during the controversial funeral, and there could have easily been a lot of decision based dialogue during each individual funeral pertaining to the e-mail subscription of that day. I would have loved to see more interaction as far as possibly doing the makeup and such, or choosing an outfit to wear based on more information given to us by the families. You could at least let us have the ability to mess up and implement a Yelp-esque rating system in which we can be fired based on bad reviews so there’s at least some form of freedom. There’s a lot of potential and I could go on and on. I’d love to expand on some ideas of the developers would be interested in contacting me.

Mortuary Knowledge (Great Short Story)

I’ve always been interested in Mortuary Science. So much in fact that I’ve already looked into and started working towards Mortuary School, but lately I have been interested more in the history of mortuary science and the science in general (Technology wise as well: Mortuary Technician) and funeral homes work in my area, specifically because of this game in fact. I read every email. I felt moved by the stories and was inspired to learn more. Love’s job in London, for instance, inspired me to look up Death Exhibits and Museums around the world and boy was I amazed with what I found. For a while I thought I needed a little more push into the field to really get me going. Kinda like a block in my interest. Mainly because I really didn’t know what life would be like working in a Funeral Home. This was that push. Thank you for this beautiful and natural work of art. Thank you for inspiring others to Go Green. - Boo

Wonderful little narrative game exploring death

At the time of writing this, this game has 2.9 stars on the App Store, and I’m shocked. To me it felt like a beautiful and thoughtful narrative game that explores death from the perspective of people who encounter it every day in their jobs. Yes, the game is short, about 45 minutes for me. Yes, it is worth $3. I don’t understand anyone saying it should be free or cost less—games take SO much work and the expectation that they should sell for tiny amounts of money or be entirely free is toxic. To the developers, you made a wonderful experience and I hope you’re really proud of it. The people saying it’s too short, or it should be replayable, or it isn’t worth $3 are wrong and haven’t understood the value of a succinct and meaningful interactive story. I’m excited to play anything else you’ve made or make in the future.

Actually really loved it

I thoroughly enjoyed this game. I understand it was a first, and it was really well done. Not to mention the music was very chill and it added to the atmosphere of everything. I'm really hoping for a second game. Some things that would be great would be, when you talk to the people at the funeral, give choices on what to say. Ratings for your characters choices would be good. Also, the ability to advance and do different jobs would be cool. Like the make up or speaking with the families to set up arrangements. The ability to do extra special things for people would be good too. Just more choices and decision making I think should be great for this game. It was short for a paid game but I don't mind because I'm looking forward to the next one!

A Mortician's Tale, by Toronto-based indie team Laundry Bear, deals with death in ways decidedly unlike most action-packed video games that often dominate the...

CBC Wed Dec 27 2017

Videogames have always used death as a punishment. Indie title 'A Mortician's Tale' wants to change that.

WIRED Mon Nov 27 2017

In 2017, developer Laundry Bear Games released A Mortician's Tale, a game that approached death in an unusual way. Set in a funeral home,...

Polygon Mon Apr 27 2020

Dying in video games is nothing new. Dealing with the reality of bereavement and dead bodies is. A Mortician's Tale is a new independent...

Rolling Stone Thu Apr 27 2017

'A Mortician's Tale' is a contemplative video game in which players embalm and cremate bodies, and attend to the funerals of the dead.

Hyperallergic Wed Dec 27 2017

'A Mortician's Tale' wants to make you comfortable with mortality.

Inverse Fri Jan 27 2017

An interview with Game Developer and Artist Gabby DaRienzo, originally scheduled for publication on the now defunct website, The Grind,...

Game Developer Sat May 27 2017

What is it A simple mortician sim which aims to open up conversations about death. Expect to pay $15/�11.39. Developer Laundry Bear

PC Gamer Mon Nov 27 2017

Become an undertaker, a career-finding quiz advised me in high school. I saw that as something between an insult and th…

Rock Paper Shotgun Sat May 27 2017

Finding a job in the games industry is no easy task. Our guides can help you to find the right path to the games indust…

GamesIndustry.biz Fri Aug 27 2021