Life Is Strange is a collection of narrative adventure games published by Square Enix’s External Studios. The franchise was initiated by Dontnod Entertainment, with the first installment released in 2015 as an episodic game comprising five episodes. A prequel, Life Is Strange: Before the Storm, was developed by Deck Nine and released in 2017, featuring three episodes along with an additional downloadable content (DLC) bonus episode in early 2018.
Dontnod continued the series with Life Is Strange 2 and its spin-off, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, which were released between 2018 and 2019. The most recent main installment, Life Is Strange: True Colors, was fully released on September 10, 2021. In February 2022, Dontond team launched a remastered collection of the original game and its prequel.
The Life Is Strange series expanded beyond games and into other forms of media. It inspired a comic series set after one of the original game’s alternative endings, diving deeper into the tale. In addition, an in-world book was created, providing insights into life at the fictional Blackwell Academy, a key location in the game’s universe.
Relatable Characters make the game unparalleled
Life Is Strange features a cast of characters who are extraordinarily well-developed relatable, and leave gamers with a lasting impression, and foster relationships with gamers. Each character has a different personality, vulnerabilities, and emotional challenges, ranging from Max’s introspective journey to the intriguing Chloe Price, while other characters, such as Kate Marsh and Warren Graham. The game goes deeply into their relationships, friendships, and the difficulties they confront, allowing players to create strong emotional bonds with the group.
Awesomely Weaved Story around Max Caulfied
Life is Strange tells the fascinating story of Max Caulfield, an ordinary high school student with the extraordinary ability to rewind time. As Max finds her abilities, she becomes embroiled in a web of mystery and drama that spans five episodes. The game’s superb storytelling blends aspects of coming-of-age, mystery, and the supernatural, addressing deep topics like friendship, love, grief, and the consequences of our actions.
Gameplay Mechanics: Interactions and Choices
Life Is Strange series offers a graphic adventure experience played from a third-person perspective. Players can examine and interact with objects in the environment, facilitating puzzle-solving through quests and environmental changes. Exploration of different locations and communication with non-player characters are key elements of gameplay. The game cleverly introduces the concept that seemingly positive choices in the short term may lead to unforeseen negative outcomes later.
Max’s Time-Manipulation, making Gamers Super-excited
Max’s time-manipulation abilities are a unique gaming mechanism that distinguishes Life is Strange from ordinary adventure games, making it memorable gameplay for decades. The ability to rewind time not only adds a strategic element to puzzles and exploration but also enables players to experiment with alternate choices and results. This concept underscores the game’s theme of consequences, as players see the ramifications of their decisions and learn to manage the difficulties of changing history.
Artistically Mind-Blowing Characters and Environment
The art style in Life Is Strange is visually amazing, combining hand-painted textures with a vibrant color palette. The game’s landscapes are diverse and vivid, ranging from the serene coastal village of Arcadia Bay to its atmospheric places, making it a unique experience for gamers. Characters are meticulously crafted, capturing subtle expressions and body language that adds to the emotional depth of the plot.
Indie folk with the atmospheric track-making iconic tunes
Life is Strange is also popular for its outstanding soundtrack, featuring a curated selection of indie folk, alternative rock, and atmospheric music. The soundtrack matches the narrative of the game, elevating emotional moments and conveying the soul of each scenario. The iconic tunes and lyrics contribute to a deeply resonating ambiance, immersing players in Life is Strange’s world.
Wrapping up:
In conclusion, Life is Strange stands out as an amazing game through its captivating narrative, relatable characters, decision and consequence systems, time manipulation gameplay, exquisite artistic design, and stellar soundtrack. This interactive storytelling masterpiece has left an everlasting impression on the game industry and continues to attract players with its thought-provoking topics and emotional depth. Prepare to go on an incredible journey in which your choices impact the fate of Max Caulfield and those around her in the unique universe of Life is Strange.
