Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
It’s been a little over 9 years since the famous “game series” Life is Strange concluded with its last episode, and now it’s time for me to explain on our site why you shouldn’t miss it even after all these years. Life is Strange hit me right in the heart, and now I have the task of defending another high rating I’ve given to a game I’ve given to very few. Because it’s clear to me that not everyone can agree with me.
Not Your Typical Blockbuster
Life is Strange is not for everyone. It’s not a one-size-fits-all blockbuster with something for everyone, like the ultimate urban action of Grand Theft Auto V. It’s basically “just” a classic Telltale-style interactive series, emphasizing the story more than player freedom and interaction. Most of the time, it’s all talk, and any action is kept to a minimum. Now, if I say it’s actually a coming-of-age series, I run the risk of most casual gamers clicking over to the next article in disgust. But that would be a huge mistake.
The Importance of Characters
I’ve always thought the story is crucial in games like this, where you’re just directing the plot rather than actively playing. I don’t think that’s true anymore. Because the most important thing of all is the characters, who move the story along. And it’s on this front that Life is Strange absolutely excels, presenting without exception fleshed-out and believable characters that pull off the first two episodes practically on their own without much going on around them. The basic premise is simple: eighteen-year-old Maxine reunites with her childhood friend Chloe after an extended period of time, and together they search for a missing classmate. The story doesn’t impress with its originality. However, it handles rather unusual themes for a computer game, such as bullying, friendship, school, and growing up.
Relatable Themes: Friendship, Bullying, and Growing Up
But that’s one of the reasons Life is Strange works. Unlike killing goblins or shooting from a helicopter, we have real experience with these themes. Perhaps everyone has been in love with a girl like Maxine at some point, wanted to get a thick tan and send their parents to the devil, and was annoyed by the pompous rich kids who had a completely different set of rules at school. And if you didn’t personally, you at least knew someone like that. It’s amazing how many times you notice posts like “this reminded me of my own adolescence” on fan sites discussing the game’s story.
An Ordinary Hero in an Extraordinary World
But that doesn’t mean we’re getting a run-of-the-mill teen series instead of a computer game. Maxine gains the ability to go back in time pretty quickly, and she’ll also be dealing with far more serious problems than missing an assignment for a photography class. However, she never stops being that nice and, in a good way, ordinary girl who doesn’t want to save the world, just help her fellow humans. It may not seem like much to some, but I find Maxine far more likable and real than Lara Croft fighting bears with a shotgun the moment she puts on her headphones and rests her head against the glass on the bus.
Choices, Puzzles, and Gameplay Depth
Telltale’s franchises are often accused of reducing all gameplay to a selection of would-be crucial decisions whose outcome doesn’t really matter that much anyway, except for the ending itself. In Life is Strange, not only are the choices far more numerous and have a far greater impact on the story (though not as fundamental as in Until Dawn or Detroit Became Human) but there are also some real puzzles. While these aren’t outright hits, they certainly won’t offend adventure game lovers in terms of difficulty. They’re often based on the ability to turn back time, which turned out to be a brilliant idea in the first place.
Exploring the Piracy Motif
A recurring theme throughout Life is Strange is the metaphor of piracy and its implications for identity and freedom. Chloe embraces her alter ego, Captain Bluebeard, a playful yet meaningful reflection of her rebellious and adventurous nature. These allusions aren’t just quirky decorations; they connect deeply to her sense of self and the childhood bond she shares with Max. Pirates represent independence and resilience—traits Chloe clings to as she navigates personal loss and turbulent friendships.
This motif resonates with players because it subtly mirrors the way we grapple with life’s chaos. Whether it’s Chloe’s shipwrecked dreams or Max’s struggle to steer her time-traveling ship, piracy becomes a fitting metaphor for the characters’ battles with uncertainty. It’s another layer of storytelling that makes Life is Strange unforgettable.
Polish and Presentation
Also, have you ever had a problem with Walking Dead where your chosen option didn’t quite match what you wanted to do? Of course, that happens here too, but you always have the option to try the other option and only then make a final decision. There would be more things Telltale could learn from the French at Dontnod, such as the exemplary release of episodes with an interval of about two months in particular, if we’re talking about a situation almost 10 years ago. In addition to the great music, Life is Strange has a fabulous dub. The voices of the main characters are provided by actresses Hannah Telle (Maxine) who played a minor role in Murdered: Souls Suspect and Ashley Burch (Chloe) known as Aloy from the amazing Horizon series (Zero Dawn and Forbidden West), Mel from The Last of Us Part II, Casie Cage in Mortal Kombat X or Tiny Tina from Gearbox’s Borderlands series.
Artistic Flair and Soundtrack Brilliance
The game runs on Unreal Engine 3, which, even then, was certainly not the last cry of modern technology. Still, the game makes up for this and presents a sort of comic-book look that even the community has come to love over the years. For people who don’t see that kind of charm in the graphics, it will be an ugly game, of course. However, what the authors “failed” in terms of technology, they managed to make up for with the artistic impression and especially the sound component. The soundtrack mainly consists of licensed songs from indie folk bands such as Alt-J, Sparklehorse, Local Natives, Foals, or the excellent Syd Matters. Suppose everything that even marginally smacks of “hipsterism” doesn’t trigger a gag reflex. In that case, you have to admit that the music work is unparalleled in the gaming world.
Defining Moments in Gaming
Both heroines have clearly defined tastes, and they play music practically all the time, which gives them far more sophistication than a million extra polygons on their faces. Stacks of paper could be written about Life is Strange, but I don’t want to deprive you of a moment of surprise. It’s certainly not a perfect game. The graphics are “average” at best if I want to be mean, but I personally like them a lot, and they make the title something unique. However, considering the overall impression the game leaves on you, these stumbles are entirely minor.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Storytelling
Dontnod has shown that they have a pretty extraordinary talent for storytelling. Life is Strange has the incredible power to take the whole industry one step further. It shows that stories in games don’t have to be at the expense of gameplay, that they can be fun without violence and constant fear for your own life, and that serious themes don’t just belong in amateur cheap titles. Given its lower price than regular AAA titles, it’s a must-have for anyone who expects more from computer games than just a leisure time filler. In fact, this storybook is a prime example of how a story and its characters should be portrayed. In that respect, it is an almost perfectly emotional roller coaster of a work.
About Life is Strange
Title: Life is Strange
Type of Game: Episodic Graphic Adventure
Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: January 30, 2015
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Where to Purchase Life is Strange:
- Steam (PC, macOS, Linux): Purchase Life is Strange on Steam, and dive into this critically acclaimed episodic adventure with rich storytelling and powerful character development.
- GOG (PC DRM Free) : Purchase Life is Strange forever on GOG.com
- PlayStation Store (PS3, PS4): Available for download on the PlayStation Store, offering the full experience for PlayStation users.
- Microsoft Store (Xbox): Get Life is Strange from the Microsoft Store, now optimized for Xbox One and Xbox 360.
- Nintendo Switch: Purchase Life is Strange for your Nintendo Switch Handheld
- App Store (iOS): Download Life is Strange for iOS from the App Store, bringing the game’s gripping narrative to your mobile device.
- Google Play (Android): Play Life is Strange on Android via the Google Play Store, for fans of the mobile experience.
