- Games
- Tick Tock: A Tale for Two
Tick Tock: A Tale for Two
Two players on separate devices exchange missing clues to escape a clockmaker’s strange world.
Separate-device co-op for 2 players, with crossplay. Talk in person or use another app.
- 2 on separate devices
- Crossplay
Where to buy
About the Apple App Store and Google Play versions
Apple App Store. The full iOS game requires exactly two copies on separate devices. Players exchange clues outside the game, without a native network session.
Google Play. The full Android game requires exactly two copies on separate devices. Players exchange clues outside the game, without a native network session.
Playing together
- 2 playersShare cluesEach player uses an independent game install on a separate device. Share clues by speaking or through another app. The game does not connect your sessions.
- Local co-opNo
- YesPC, Mac, Switch, Switch 2, iOS, AndroidFriends on different platforms, such as PC and PlayStation, can play together.
- Not confirmedA friend can join or leave while you are already playing, without starting over.
- NoEveryone needs to buy itFriends play free with a Friend's Pass or similar.
- Steam DeckVerifiedValve's own rating
About the game
You search a village shaped by a clockmaker’s experiments. Shops, rooms and machines hide fragments of a mystery about two sisters. You inspect objects, read notes and work out how their clues fit together. Your partner sees a different version of each place, so the information on your screen often makes sense only when you compare it with theirs.
Each of you needs a copy of the game on a separate device. You choose opposite player roles and describe what you find. The games run independently, so there is no lobby or network connection between them. You can sit together or use an external call when playing apart. The focus stays on careful explanations and shared puzzle solving through one short story.
How it feels
Kind of game
Made for exactly two players. You play set levels or a story from start to end, and every part is built for the pair.
- At its heart
- A big part
- Now and then
- Fear
- Tension and danger
- Calm and coziness
- Time to hang out
- Exploring
- Getting better
- Sessions
- Campaign to finish
Rated on our own feel scale. 7 sources back these ratings.
Screenshots
From the Steam store page. Open one to see it full size.
If you liked Tick Tock: A Tale for Two
You will probably enjoy these too. Each one says why.
The Past Within
Why it scores 86%
What they share
- Kind of game
- Campaign for two
- Core to both
- Working in sync, Puzzles and figuring out
- Notable in both
- Story
- Sessions
- Campaign to finish
- Co-op
- Separate-device co-op for 2 players
- 2 on separate devices
- Crossplay
Both are campaigns made for two players. Both need you to talk and act in sync. Both have a story you follow together.
No big difference from Tick Tock: A Tale for Two.
We Were Here
Why it scores 84%
What they share
- Kind of game
- Campaign for two
- Core to both
- Working in sync, Puzzles and figuring out
- About
- Fantasy adventure
- Sessions
- Campaign to finish
How We Were Here differs
- More chaotic than Tick Tock: A Tale for Two
- 2 online
- Crossplay
Both are campaigns made for two players. Both are about a fantasy adventure. Both make you work things out together.
But more chaotic than Tick Tock: A Tale for Two.
We Were Here Too
Why it scores 84%
What they share
- Kind of game
- Campaign for two
- Core to both
- Working in sync, Puzzles and figuring out
- About
- Fantasy adventure
- Sessions
- Campaign to finish
How We Were Here Too differs
- More chaotic than Tick Tock: A Tale for Two
- 2 online
- Crossplay
Both are campaigns made for two players. Both need you to talk and act in sync. Both are about a fantasy adventure.
But more chaotic than Tick Tock: A Tale for Two.
All co-op facts
Last checked 24 October 2026. The small numbers link to the page that states each fact.
Co-op
- Most players online
- Does not apply
- Fewest players online
- Does not apply
- Most players on one screen
- Does not apply
- Split or shared screen
- Does not apply
- Free base co-op
- No
The checked computer full-base edition has a paid base-game access model. Demos, trials, guest passes, platform sharing and temporary grants do not establish ongoing free base co-op.
- 361011
- Confirmed free setups
- Does not apply
- Friends can join mid-game
- Not confirmed
- Voice chat by distance
- Not confirmed
Sources
12 pages
ticktockthegame.comOfficial support page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Online co-op, Local co-op, Separate-device co-op, Most players on separate devices, Working in sync.
- Online co-op: The maker explicitly says the game is not online. The Steam badge communicates remote play through an external call.
- Local co-op: Each player independently loads one role on a separate device. This is not play on one device.
- Separate-device co-op: The independent games exchange no network data. Partners provide the missing information through speech or an external call.
- Most players on separate devices: The maker specifies opposite Player One and Player Two roles.
- Working in sync: Neither role can solve its puzzles without information from the other.
othertales.itch.ioStore page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Only one of you needs to buy it, Crossplay, Crossplay between, Genres, Kind of game, About.
- Only one of you needs to buy it: The maker explicitly requires two copies.
- Crossplay: The maker explicitly permits mixing device platforms.
- Crossplay between: The maker permits mixing Windows, Mac, Switch, iOS and Android copies. Nintendo confirms that the Switch build works on Switch 2. These independent installs exchange clues through external communication, not a native network session.
- Genres: The maker lists Adventure and Puzzle.
- Kind of game: The game is explicitly for exactly two players.
- About: The maker describes a magical clockwork world.
store.steampowered.comStore page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Release status, Release date, Steam app ID, Sessions, Platforms, Free base co-op.
- Release status: The released base game has a Buy option.
- Release date: Steam gives March 7, 2019.
- Steam app ID: The opened product is app 790740.
- Sessions: The maker describes one short narrative escape.
- Platforms: Windows and macOS requirements are listed.
- Free base co-op: The checked computer full-base edition has a paid base-game access model. Demos, trials, guest passes, platform sharing and temporary grants do not establish ongoing free base co-op.
store.steampowered.comStore data, read 24 October 2026
Backs Platforms, Release date.
- Platforms: Steam reports Windows and macOS.
- Release date: Steam gives the release date as March 7, 2019.
store.steampowered.comStore data, read 24 October 2026
Backs Steam Deck.
- Steam Deck: Valve rates the game Verified on Steam Deck.
nintendo.comStore page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Platforms, Local co-op, Most players on separate devices, Only one of you needs to buy it, About, Crossplay between, Free base co-op.
- Platforms: The product is the released Switch edition. Its compatibility panel explicitly supports Switch 2.
- Local co-op: The single-system player count is one.
- Most players on separate devices: The publisher describes a two-player game on two devices.
- Only one of you needs to buy it: The publisher states that each player needs a purchased copy.
- About: The publisher frames the mystery around a missing sister.
- Crossplay between: The Switch edition has consistent game behavior on Switch 2. Its independent role can exchange clues with other maker-confirmed versions.
- Free base co-op: The checked Nintendo full-base edition has a paid base-game access model. Demos, trials, guest passes, platform sharing and temporary grants do not establish ongoing free base co-op.
nintendolife.comPress, read 24 October 2026
Backs Story, Fear, Exploring, Puzzles and figuring out.
- Story: Nintendo Life review from 2019-12-30 describes a clockmaking family mystery, with puzzles taking priority.
- Fear: Nintendo Life, 2019-12-30, describes an oppressive foggy atmosphere. This supports occasional unease, below dedicated horror.
- Exploring: Nintendo Life, 2019-12-30, describes inspecting fixed environments and objects for clues.
- Puzzles and figuring out: Nintendo Life, 2019-12-30, describes communicating complementary clues as the main activity.
cthulhuscritiques.comPress, read 24 October 2026
Backs Tension and danger, Calm and coziness, Time to hang out, Getting better.
- Tension and danger: Cthulhu’s Critiques, 2020-07-05, describes one timed code exchange. The general experience is not under continuous pressure.
- Calm and coziness: Cthulhu’s Critiques, 2020-07-05, describes ordinary room inspection between puzzle attempts.
- Time to hang out: Cthulhu’s Critiques, 2020-07-05, describes continuous clue explanations. Task discussion takes priority over unrelated chat.
- Getting better: Cthulhu’s Critiques, 2020-07-05, describes learning the timed communication sequence rather than a long skill grind.
steamcommunity.comOfficial support page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Online co-op, Separate-device co-op.
- Online co-op: The maker’s pinned FAQ independently explains why the online badge does not mean a native network connection.
- Separate-device co-op: Both players start independent roles, then exchange missing clues through external communication.
apps.apple.comStore page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Platforms, Free base co-op.
- Platforms: The full iOS game requires exactly two copies on separate devices. Players exchange clues outside the game, without a native network session.
- Free base co-op: The checked Apple full-base edition has a paid base-game access model. Demos, trials, guest passes, platform sharing and temporary grants do not establish ongoing free base co-op.
play.google.comStore page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Platforms, Free base co-op.
- Platforms: The full Android game requires exactly two copies on separate devices. Players exchange clues outside the game, without a native network session.
- Free base co-op: The checked Android full-base edition has a paid base-game access model. Demos, trials, guest passes, platform sharing and temporary grants do not establish ongoing free base co-op.
roomescapeartist.comPress, read 24 October 2026
Backs Calm and coziness, Time to hang out, Getting better.
- Calm and coziness: Room Escape Artist, March 30, 2021 describes an inviting mystery without an overall time limit. The eerie setting keeps calm at a minor level.
- Time to hang out: The played reactions describe constant communication about clues. Task explanation takes priority over unrelated conversation.
- Getting better: The played reactions locate difficulty in communication and learning puzzle mechanics, rather than sustained action practice.