LogFAQs > #986615136

#20 TIE. Life Is Strange (2015)
Total Points: 13
List Appearances: 6
First Place Votes: 0
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Writeup provided by ctesjbuvf
Life is Strange is an adventure game that is all about the story, the characters and the choices you make and not so much about the gameplay itself. It is set in what appears to be a realistic setting of Black Academy in Acadia Bay. You play as Max Claufield, who has lived in the city previously but just came back after some years. One day in photography class she has visions of a tornado hitting Acadia Bay and discovers an ability to rewind briefly back in time, which allows her to change the life choices she makes.

Thats one of the primary appeals of the game. It is made perfectly clear when you are making decisions that affect the direction of the game and when your directions are not. You can rewind back and watch them all and see which one you like the most. The game is even clear about when it is a big decision and when it is not. It doesnt drastically change the course of the game, but they do make differences.

The game was released in 5 episodes over the course of a couple of years. I played them all in one setting after the full game came out so I wont comment too much on this release strategy, but at the end of each chapter you are told what percentage of players made which choices. You can see this for both your friends and all users. Its quite fun, in particular because you will occasionally notice options that you didnt know you had. Either because you didnt trigger the event or because you didnt say or do something that allowed all options for you.

The other main appeal I would say are the characters. You grow very attached to Max, Chloe, Kate etc. while you uncover the mysteries of Acadia Bay. I am not gonna do a write-up that spoils a lot, but the games way of making you attached to the characters make a lot of the scenes extremely effective in touching your feelings and keeping you hooked.

Id say the second and third episodes are the best part. The cliffhangers are insane and you are extremely hooked. I have issues with how the game wraps up that doesnt feel entirely satisfying. The first chapter is fine, it mostly just introduces things. Regardless, Ive actually played the game quite a few times, which is very rare for me to do with any game released since I finished school. Its fun to play with friends (you dont really play, its more like an interactive movie) and see their reactions. Ive done this with at least four people, so I have very fond memories of it!