Life Is Strange

Plot synopsis:
Life Is Strange is set in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon, and is told from the perspective of Maxine "Max" Caulfield (Hannah Telle), a twelfth grade student of Blackwell Academy, during the week of 7 October 2013. During photography class with her teacher Mark Jefferson (Derek Phillips), Max experiences a vision of a lighthouse being destroyed by a swelling tornado. Leaving for the restroom to regain her composure, she witnesses classmate Nathan Prescott (Nik Shriner) accidentally murder a girl. In a single, sudden effort, she develops the ability to rewind time and rescues the girl; her childhood friend Chloe Price (Ashly Burch). The two reunite and go for a walk at the lighthouse, where Max reveals to Chloe her capacity to travel back in time. It is established that the vision is rather the reckoning of a future event: a storm approaching the town. The next day, Max observes fellow student Kate Marsh (Dayeanne Hutton) being bullied for a viral video depicting her kissing several students at a party. It is implied that she was drugged, and Max suspects Nathan as the perpetrator. Meeting Chloe at the diner where her mother Joyce (Cissy Jones) works, they decide to experiment with Max's power at Chloe's secret scrapyard hideout. However, strain causes Max to have a nosebleed and faint. Chloe takes her back to Blackwell, but class is halted when everyone is called out to the courtyard. Kate commits suicide by jumping off the roof of the girls' dorm. Max manages to rewind and time stops unexpectedly as she reaches Kate, giving Max the opportunity to convince her to come down. Max ultimately resolves to uncover what happened to Kate and Chloe's missing friend Rachel Amber.
Max and Chloe break into the principal's office that night to investigate and enter the pool for a swim before evading David Madsen (Don McManus), head of security at Blackwell and Chloe's stepfather, and fleeing back to Chloe's place. The next morning, they sneak into the motorhome of Frank Bowers (Daniel Bonjour), drug dealer and friend of Rachel, and learn that Rachel was in a relationship with Frank and lied to Chloe about it, causing Chloe to storm off feeling betrayed. Max returns to her dormitory and examines a childhood photo of her and Chloe, but is suddenly transported to the day the picture was taken. Max prevents Chloe's father William (Joe Ochman) from dying in a traffic collision, which inadvertently creates an alternative reality where William is alive but Chloe has been paralysed from the neck down as a result of a collision in her own car. Max uses the photo to undo her decision and return to the present day, restoring Chloe's health. Continuing their investigation, Max and Chloe obtain clues leading them to an abandoned barn owned by the influential Prescott family. They discover a hidden bunker containing pictures of Kate and Rachel tied up and intoxicated, with Rachel being buried at Chloe's secret hideout. They hurry back to the scrapyard and find Rachel's grave, much to Chloe's despair. Max follows Chloe at the school party to confront Nathan, believing he will target fellow student Victoria Chase (Dani Knights). They receive a text from Nathan threatening to destroy the evidence, returning them to the scrapyard. All of a sudden, the two are ambushed by Jefferson, who anaesthetises Max and kills Chloe with a shot to the head. Max is kidnapped and held captive in the "Dark Room", a place Jefferson has been drugging and photographing young girls to capture their innocence. Max escapes into a photograph and emerges back at the beginning in Jefferson's class. She alerts David, getting Jefferson arrested. Max is given the opportunity to go to San Francisco and have one of her photos displayed in an art gallery. She calls Chloe from the event, realising that, for all her effort, the storm has reached Arcadia Bay. Max teleports to the time she took the gallery photo, which eventually leads her to sojourn alternative realities as they devolve into a dreamscape nightmare. Max and Chloe finally return to the lighthouse and confront the fact that Max brought the storm into existence by availing herself of the time travel abilities in the first place. The only way to prevent it is for Max to go back to the beginning and allow Chloe to be killed by Nathan. Max must make a choice: sacrifice Chloe's life to save Arcadia Bay, or sacrifice Arcadia Bay in order to spare Chloe.

Tags: murder, flashback

Review:
Life is Strange is a great game for people who like a good story .
So its refreshing and a familiar sight for you American folks out there :-).Is it worth buying ?I think this would be a great time to buy the game as all episodes are out and you can enjoy the whole story Will it run on my computer ?Aha !
I'm a big fan of choice-making games, so that's one of the reasons why I played this.
I love the character development, especially for Max and Chloe, I love the relationship between the two and the relationship they have with everyone else around them.The acting is good as well as the writing.
There are times, however, where the writing can be a bit bland, including when Max is talking to herself or Chloe.
When she moves it, she says "Begone foul soft drink," which I feel was a bit dull and would of been better if she didn't say anything.However, there are times when the writing is strong and exciting, especially during the finale of Episode 2, 3 & 4.
The writing and gameplay in Episode 5 was the best, it was exciting, intense and quite creepy, especially during the nightmare sequence.I love exploring the places Max visits from her dorm to Chloe's house.The trophies (for the PlayStation) aren't that challenging, they're basically just bronze trophies for taking optional photos, one gold for completing episode five and a platinum for earning all the trophies.Overall, I think this is a great game that you should take a look at, especially if your into choice-making games.
I played the first episode for free as a trial,after i finished i didn't hesitate to buy the entire game.
the graphics aren't like for example gta 5 graphics but honestly that's okay,it gives the game charm.the scenery is just so beautiful,words can't describe it.life is strange also has an amazing soundtrackthe story is so amazing with so many twists and unexpected turns,it has everything,action,romance,comedy,etc.
this game really does something to you,it gives you so many feelings that i can't even put into words,i finished playing it and immediately started again because its so damn addictive,this game really gets to you.
(This review is after playing the first episode, I don't know how the rest will play out) I don't play many games, mostly because I'm only interested in the ones that tell genuine stories (if not they better be fun as hell).
It can be a pretty fast paced game if you don't slow down and actually engage in the story, which is what makes it so great in the first place.For those looking for a lot of gameplay, turn back because this isn't for you.
The levels are beautifully crafted so it doesn't really get boring.The central story is very heartfelt and feels like it was written for a movie rather than a game, which should be taken as a compliment to the writers.
It's great to see such human characters in a game where they aren't running around with a gun killing people...or things.Overall, I have to say I'm impressed and have already recommended this to multiple friends; it's clear that a lot of care went into making this game.
There are so many great games like Skyrim, Mass Effect 2 or GTAV, but none of them can be so delicate and touchy like Life Is Strange does.
You rated this game 10!?"Yes I did, And here's why....If there's an area where Square Enix shine it's their ability to tell an incredible story.
I bring it up as that decade closed off with The Longest Journey (10/10) which is regarded as one of the best games of all time and Life Is Strange feels like a spiritual sequel that is better than its 2 sequels.
After finishing all 5 episodes i can safely say - this has to be one of the most unforgettable experiences I've ever had while playing video games.
"Life Is Strange" is an amazing experience.The story here in a first place is nothing short like amazing.
While playing this game i felt like i was watching a great movie in which i could make a decisions.
The story itself was so amazing, so involving that i kinda needed to play next episodes ASAP after finishing previous.
Graphics were very good and controls were superb as well, although this is a heavy story based game so there isn't really A LOT of game play, but there is more then enough.Overall, i can't praise this game enough.
Life is Strange is a graphic adventure video game split into five episodes.
However, she soon realizes that her actions create a dangerous rift in the space-time continuum which leads to showdown when Maxine must take the most difficult decision ever.This game convinces on many different levels.
Finally, the story reminding of television series like Portlandia and Twin Peaks is addicting from start to finish and gets particularly sinister during the last two episodes.Life is Strange is not only a great game for teenage girls but for anyone who cares about artistics designs, mysterious plots and profound characters and doesn't mind a game that takes its time to unfold.
Life is strange is probably one of the best games I've ever played 10/10 must get.
It's an emotionally moving game just full of heart, though also at the same time one of the saddest video games I've ever played.The graphical presentation is great, from the background, to the character animation.
I really love the music in the game there are a lot of memorable tracks, it would be awesome to download those tracks to an iPod or even play on a vinal record.I really love the story which is original and full of heart, yeah sure it's the typical time travel premise but it's the execution that makes it stand out.
Despite a revolving mystery throughout the game, it's more concerned about the character drama the friendship between both Maxine and Chloe.The characters are great, their all surprisingly relatable or people we may know or have known whether you a teenager or we're that age, it really gives that sense of familiarity to the game making it more engaging and touching.
It seems like with this she has been given a certain amount of freedom to do whatever it is she need or wants to do without many to any consequences, like playing certain pranks, retrieving certain information, asking anyone out without risking embarrassment, just anything.But as she's about to learn the hard way with great power comes great responsibility as we discover her use of the power there are not just consequences socially but also in the whole of time and reality itself.
Which in a way made me concerned for the protagonist's life as using it hurts her sometimes but also shows this power has limitations and that despite what she can do she's not invincible.Chloe is just a beautiful character, she very much reminds me of my wife when she was that age.
He's not too smooth like with Max he's a little on the shy side but not short of courage as he really does hold his own against danger and isn't afraid to stand up for his best friend/would be girlfriend Maxine but most importantly doesn't take crap from anyone.I really love the chemistry between both Maxine and him which I thought was sweet though I'll admit is the only bad thing about the game I wish there were more scenes between the two let alone he's not in it much.
Maybe if they decide to make another spin off game where he's the main character, may 'be we will.Oh well, I can't really complain too much since this game is really focused and about the friendship between both and Chloe.
I honestly found myself truly caring for both characters, the way their handled and the relatability I mentioned they feel almost like people that can exist in real life.
As I play the game more and more I'm hopping that somehow it will all turn out alright in the end for both but like in time and life itself there are no guarantees.As usual with the adventure games it's like with any of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books where each decision effects the outcome of the game so chose carefully.
The revolving mystery throughout the game is intriguing as one thing leads to another but there is a surprise twist in it which I honestly didn't see a mile away and I like that I don't get that feeling often.
I really like one part of the game which really gave me the experience of being a detective where you have this cork board with lots of photos that are pined up and your have to put them all together to see how the photographs tie in with the hard evidence you gathered, I thought that was interesting because it's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.This game has many themes about this game is that deals with issues like the constant conflict of both past and present, how difficult it is to transition with the times, how little we know about our fellow man, how much someone can be different and the same throughout change, how much we struggle to hold on to some remnants of the past so we don't lose ourselves in the every changing present and upcoming future, taking responsibility for decisions we make in the past and present truly affect the future, loss, friendship and the value of it.But most importantly it's also about heroism how it's about, making the hard choices to do what is right for not just yourself but the whole of humanity.
This game had a couple of scenes which I'm not kidding made me break down and cry, I won't say what they are, but they were just an emotional gut punch.Time and distance can never separate friendship, despite how much we may miss them or one they are always in our hearts.Rating: 4 stars.
Life is Strange is a new game that's gotten many positive reviews and praising, but me personally, do not agree.
Life is Strange is definitely a strange game...and not in a good way.
Life is just as strange as this game.
Adventure Games, mainly the TellTale Games, are a hit in the last couple of years and I always loved them, especially because of their way of capturing your mind and feelings.
A beautiful and poignant story elevates "Life is Strange" far beyond its minor faults..
They've crafted what is arguably one of the best episodic graphic-adventure titles of the past decade with their 2015 release "Life is Strange," and they did it in a very unique and often- entertaining way.
With a story-line and characters that can only be described as "Juno meets Donnie Darko", and a fantastic game-play style that very pleasantly reminded me of the excellent interactive- horror- movie "Until Dawn", "Life is Strange" is certainly one of the more intriguing and fascinating games in recent memory.
As the story begins, Max discovers that she somehow has the mysterious ability to rewind time for brief instances, allowing her to correct mistakes or change choices she has recently made.
And she must use this gift and curse in an increasingly intricate story-line that unfolds over the course of a week, as she re-unites with her troubled and sometimes self-destructive childhood friend Chloe Price, tries to solve the mystery of a local missing girl and attempts to avert disaster as she begins to experience cryptic visions that suggest a tornado will destroy Arcadia Bay in only a few days time...To get it out of the way, I do think there is one pretty moderate flaw to the game that should be addressed up front.
Thankfully, the game quickly corrects this "eccentricity" over the second and third chapters, but it still might be a bit much for some.The storytelling is generally top-notch, and like many other games of this style, there's a lot of room for replays as your choices impact the narrative.
So each time you start the game again, you'll be getting a fresh, new experience based on the choices you make.
The main game-play mechanic that sets the game apart is most definitely the "Time Rewind" feature, which can generally be used at any time, save for a small handful of key sequences in which Max briefly loses the ability.
It can be used to do something as simple as manipulate a short conversation to attain a different result, or to do something as significant as gleaning enough information in the future that you can go back a few minutes and use it to do something that will alter the entire story or even save a life.
It's brilliant, really.The artistic style and music are also fantastic, environmental design is quite good, the voice-over performances are exquisite and generally all other aspects of the production are top- of-the-line, especially for an episodic downloadable adventure game.
I recalled to have had read about "Life is Strange" in a newspaper, when I was offered to play the first episode for free on Steam; unclear what to expect.
I went through each episode in one go (around 3 hours each), spread out over two weeks.I wouldn't consider this title a game in the traditional sense, but more of an interactive story.
Would have made more sense plot- and character-wise, as Max always tries to make it right for each and every one (even if you do not play her that way, you will hear her inner dialogue accordingly).
At one point I even got tired of all the time traveling and almost hoped for a bad end, but then again I was only 80 minutes or so into this act, so I knew it's not going to end just now.Furthermore I felt the romance between the two main characters – although the player can choose if to pursue - a bit forced, almost slightly on the salacious side of things.
I also purchased the prequel, Before The Storm, as well, but that's another review for another time.The game follows a high school photography student named Maxine "Max" Caulfield, who attends Blackwell University in Arcadia Bay. During a lecture from Mr. Jefferson, her teacher, she discovers that she has the power to rewind time.
You'll have to play to find out.Much of the game is influenced by what decisions you make and what you say in the game, and you can always rewind to change the outcome of what happens.
Life is Pointless...much like this game..
Life is Strange is not a game and it doesn't matter how much you claim it is.
What is that?By far, the most insulting thing about the story is its climax: Have Chloe die like in the beginning of the game to save Arcadia Bay or let the lives of everyone you know perish to keep Chloe alive.
I thought that we will have to decide which one is the best and which one we want to use to win the photo contest or something, but they just didn't affect the play-through in ANY way.
And it did happen also because of Chloe's carelessness, which we see so many times throughout the game.
And Max was already somehow "prepared" for Chloe's death, because she had already let her die in the alternative reality (euthanasia) and she had also seen her die a couple of times during the game, not being sure whether she will be able to "resurrect" her or not.
If you save Chloe, then you condemn both Max and Chloe to suffer to the end of their days of being responsible of killing thousands of people (let alone tell you that if anybody would know you would get 100 x lifetime sentence).
And you decide to condemn everyone in Arcadia Bay, either by killing him or letting him suffer for the rest of his life because of his lost kith and kin.You can't even be sure that you will be with Chloe in the future.
They may land in different places to live their life and so on.I know that the game shows you the six days during which you mainly hang out with Chloe.
yeah, I know this is just a game and it's more "romantic" to always back your closest friend / love, but you really should think about yourselves and rethink your philosophy of life..
The decision in the end to Kill Chloe or keep Arcadia Bay was so easy, and it would have been harder if the writers actually tried to make the characters feel real!!!!
Were FireWatch excels in building characters Life Is Strange fails.
For me story is a huge part of everything Movies,Games I love story based games and this is not a good one And for me the ending felt like a big middle finger to me because I chose to have Chloe get killed and felt nothing other than THANK GOD I BOUGHT THIS ON THE SUMMER SALE And the fact that the game feels like a waste of time when the game Forces you to to make a choice that obviously is better than the other!
And a question is If the game doesn't make you feel for Chloe than what would be the point of the twist of you need her to die.
I feel like it ripped off Steins Gate a great game that is worth the money with the whole she Dies No Matter What I Do Scenario and it kinda turns out the same as in which you can get the ending were she dies or you can get the ending were she doesn't...
All and All This game suffers from - Ametur Writing -A Predictable Story -Character's that didn't feel real - Bugs -Ametur Lip Syncing -Felt like a waste of time -Lack Of Creativity 3/10