Life is Strange.

[Tej]

This game was released a week ago. Its the first of a five part time travel saga. Here's a trailer and reviews

http://store.steampowered.com/app/319...

I have now completed Episode 1. Its an absolutely beautiful production and the time travel is the probably the best implemented gameplay I have ever experienced in gaming.

The structure is quite similar to Tell Tale episodic games including the Back to the Future games that our dear late John and myself have been championing in other threads. I would say the tone of the game is akin to films such as Juno, Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and the adventure games, The Longest Journey/Dreamfall. In fact, this is very similar in mood and style with the same kind of female protagonists as in TLJ/Dreamfall games...particularly the more recent Dreamfall Chapters but set in an art academy campus (like TLJ). The setting is 2013 so a lot of the game references are relatable which gives it a nice grounded reality despite the time travel element.

So, if you love those wonderful games as I do, you will love this. And if you are not a gamer, you will still love this as it a game that anyone can immerse themselves without any previous gaming skills, just a very basic ability to solve predicaments or situations.

The time travel element is a wondeful and clever integration to the game's immersion where our protagonist has the ability to rewind time and make different choices. It might seem like just another way of going back to a gamesave position but there are differences as you can use it for puzzle solving AND the protagonist retains the memory of the alternative paths which is an important element. Its a wonderful plot and gaming device.

I really enjoyed this first episode and it holds much promise to be a memorable whole once all the parts are released. I am already engaged with the real life-like characters and the storyline even has a Twin Peaks hint to it. Parts of it also reminded me of the awesome "Left Behind" dlc for Last of Us on PS3 in terms of soulful storytelling and friendship. The songs are a lovely reflection of the high school type angst that are ladened all over the game.

Admittedly, the narrative rules in this game while the puzzle solving is very much on the easy side. I expect/hope the puzzle solving difficulty level to crank up in later episodes but that's only because I am a big gamer. Those of you who are not much in gaming may be happy for the difficulty level to be just the way it is.

The first episode has a satisfying end point and whatsmore, the next episode is not far off and will be released this month. I do hate this story splitting concept but if it means the only way for my this kind of endangered point and click adventure genre to survive then I am not complaining and very grateful that we are getting these sort of games with polished production values in the first place.

Of course the developers cannot spend a huge budget on this genre given its niche market so the graphics are not top end but its still immersive and detailed enough to capture the atmosphere and landscape. The facial expressions are limiting but the voice cast make up for that with soulful nuances in their performances.

Its not really proper to rate a part game but so far, I give it a promising and for all of you time travel fans...it really is a MUST PLAY game.

8.5/10

[Heather(Gibby)]

Tej-As I am not familiar at all with this type of thing-I hope my question is not too naïve, but is this something you play by yourself? or do you have to connect with others online to play?

[Tej]

Play by yourself, Heather :)

I am actually very much a play by myself gamesplayer. Never have been attracted to these multiplayer gaming worlds.

This is the right sort of game for those of us that just want to enjoy a great narrative without shooting at anything :)

All you need to develop to enjoy such a game is to explore your environments by clicking on labelled objects etc.

Having said all that...The game is OPTIONALLY linked to the community where the end of the game will tell you what percentage of other players make whatever choices the game gave. See the game has several branching paths depending on the type of choices you make in the game.

I'll give you an example scenario: You witness a very bad thing a boy does. You have a choice to either tell the principle or you dont. But if you explored your environment and know some history of both the boy and the principle, this might affect your decision. Each choice will create two different repercussions later in the game.


I forgot to mention that the game is available on PC, Playstation or Xbox. I play it on a PC.

If you give it a go, Heather, I'll be happy to assist with anything you not too sure about.

If you do enjoy it, then I highly recommend you next play Back to the Future game which if you are a fan of the films will give you immense joy because it honestly feels like playing a new bonafide sequel complete with the voices of some of the cast and very close imitations to those that are not. Christopher Lloyd AND Michael J Fox are in them!

[Heather(Gibby)]

Thanks Tej, I am off on vacation next week, but when I get back I think I will give it a whirl, try new things as they say.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Starting playing last night Tej...

Spoiler safe after you speak with the principal...

(view spoiler)[I was a bit frustrated with picking up the hammer and setting off the alarm in time before he shoots her. I hate pressure gaming with time limits...I hope that most of the game is not like this, however with the time travel mechanic, I got lots of tries to get it right.

I also spent a lot of time looking at everything. Did you notice in the hall there is a reward for a stolen tablet...and it also says something about he needs it back because it has pictures of his cat that has passed. Further down in the hall there is an ad of someone trying to sell a tablet and jokes it has 5 Gigs of cat pictures on it.

I chose to turn the boy into the principal and stepped outside and that is where I stopped last night. (hide spoiler)]

[Tej]

Yes, I did see that, I leave no stone unturned when I play games like this. This game states about 4-5hours of gameplay (for this first episode) but I spent 20 hours plus. That's the beauty of games like this, Lincoln, there is so much attention to detail and a lot to explore that immerses us more into a rich tapestry of these student lives and its environment. There's actually a helluva lot of easter eggs too. For instance have a look at the registration plates in the car park ;)

Sorry you got a little frustrated with that part of the game you describe, in gaming terms they are called Quick Time Events (QTE)...I am happy to say that they are very seldomly used in the game BUT it will prop up again and is crucial to the excitement and narrative. That moment you experienced was a pivotal part of the game.

HOWEVER, I'd like to add that this QTE gaming mechanism is not implemented here to really test your reactions as other games do. I would have hated that too, I totally understand where you are coming from. But in this game, its really a test or nurture for puzzle solving and exploration. Notice when you are able to rewind time, you can do so by positioning yourself in a more advantageous point then you initially started off in? That means you can give yourself more time in the next iteration. So yes you could easily fail first time because it forces you to think a little bit laterally with the use of the rewinding time feature.

With that in mind, I hope you can embrace the QTE mechanism when it does prop up later :)

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Chloe just picked me up and I left warren to be beat up...thought it strange that it did not allow me to stay and stick up for my friend who is getting clobbered.

Do you know the TV show Friday Night Lights? Its a TV show about a Texas city revolving around the high school football team, the Dillon Panthers. Looks like Blackwell has a game scheduled against them. Made me laugh.

[Tej]

(view spoiler)[ Yeah poor Warren, hilarious though when he said "I got this"! while he's been flattened into a pulp. (hide spoiler)]

No, I am not familiar with most American Night Lights and it sounds like a series that may not be crossing the pond due to heavy emphasis on American Football (though that shouldnt really be a factor).

Generally, I think there is a lot of localised references that may go amiss with us Brits with any sort of medium that cross the pond.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

I finished it last night....part of me wanted to explore every inch of every space and another part wanted to get the job done...

Now that I am finished I sort of want to go back and play again...However I suppose my episode 1 decisions will affect my episode 2 experience.

(view spoiler)[Curious to know if I don't tell the principal, will Warren be spared a beat down? (hide spoiler)]

Its a great game, but I could live without the language...guess they are going for high school realism.

[Tej]

Lincoln wrote: "I finished it last night....part of me wanted to explore every inch of every space and another part wanted to get the job done...

Now that I am finished I sort of want to go back and play again......"

Yeah, in terms of replay, this is the big drawback of its episodic nature. Decisions will affect future episodes too. So do we replay each episode or replay after completing the whole series?

The episodic nature is however, a must for this game's genre survival because this is a niche market. So I am grateful for its existence in that respect but man its at the same time quite frustrating. Thankfully, they appear to be releasing the episodes relatively frequent, at least compared to other episodic games I have played with the next episode just a few weeks away.

Glad you enjoyed, thanks for playing it! Its nice I can discuss it with you...Hopefully, Heather you find time to join in too :)

I have to admit, my only perception of American high school is through what I see in movies and TV because in UK, we dont actually have high school per se. After secondary school (age 16) we optionally move onto college...then to university and the vibe is very different from my experience. There is immaturity for sure, sexual discoveries and maybe even delinquency but I never see bullying at those ages to the immature extent I see in American depiction of high school. If some is quiet, reserved, I never see any plant a "kick me" sticker on their back or anything like that. Maybe it happens but not in my experience. What unfortunately I have witnessed is misguided paths leading to drug/drink addiction, desperation and depression. That is the sort of thing that unfortunately do occur in our college lives. Bullying itself is a major problem in primary and secondary schools (ages 8-15) yes but in colleges (our equivalent to your high schools), I never saw that.

In this game, our protagonist is supposed to be at an academy of art and science, which I understand from the game is supposed to be beyond high school. And our protagonist had hoped for a much more mature thinking environment...but alas she finds herself in more or less the same kind of environment she experienced in high school. How close this is to reality, I dont know. But considering this is a game set out to entertain with a time travel scifi undertext, I felt it established a world that feels authentic even if it bears no relation to reality if you know what I mean.

The game is actually a European production so its quite possible the game makers know zilch about life in high school and are going by episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, lol. It matters not to me though, as long as there the story, environment and characters exhibit an air of authenticity, I'm happy to roam in this fictitious world.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Because there are three save slots theoretically I can play through three times with various decisions throughout.

Game 1:
(view spoiler)[ I ratted to the principal about Nathan. I allowed Daniel to post his drawing, I refused to sign Mrs. Grants petition. I was nice to Victoria, I intervened with Kate and the security guard. Left the RV alone Did not leave evidence that I was in the garage, took the blame for the weed, Did not break the snow globe (hide spoiler)]

Game 2
(view spoiler)[Did not rat the principal. I did not let daniel sketch me, I was mean to Victoria, I signed the petition, I took a picture instead of intervened with Kate and the security guard, drew on the dusty windows of the RV. Left evidence I was in the garage (seeing the files that I knocked down actually opened some questions I did not have in the first run through) Hid when Chloe's step dad shows up and stayed hidden, broke the snow globe. (hide spoiler)]

One of the choices is to save a bird or let it die...I looked for it but never found it. Do you know where it is?

Reading all the license plates in the parking lot was fun I agree all TV shows. X-files, Quantum Leap. etc.

[Tej]

Regards to bird, (view spoiler)[ explore all rooms of Chloe house on top landing (hide spoiler)]

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

sorry to hear about your readers block...Sometimes I will read an anthology when I get that way...A lot of short stories that are ideally not related at all. Some anthologies are based around a theme like the time travelers almanac but I recommend Writers of the Future...It has 12 stories and they vary so widely that you stay out of the grind of a single theme..if you dislike a story skip to the next.

Thanks for pointing out Life is Strange...been watching movies lately? Any good ones?

[Tej]

I do keep up my cinemagoing and blu ray watching :) Many of them sci fi but no time travel so far this year but that will be remedied when I go to see Project Almanac tomorrow (just came out this week over here). Last week, I saw Jupiter Ascending...what a mess of a film.

However, I have played two other games which surprisingly had time travel in it. I will open another thread for it :)

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

I know episode 2 is coming in March...Do we have a date? I can't find one. Its a bit disturbing how excited I am to play a game where the protagonist is a high school girl.

[Tej]

Lincoln wrote: "I know episode 2 is coming in March...Do we have a date? I can't find one. Its a bit disturbing how excited I am to play a game where the protagonist is a high school girl."

Ha, there are a few other games I enjoy involving a high school female protagonist, Longest Journey and Nancy Drew games!

It was supposed to be 13th but its slightly delayed and is promised to be released before end of the month.

[Tej]

Episode 2 will be released on 24th March.

They plan to release each episode 6 weeks apart but this episode was slightly delayed by one week.

Which I am totally fine with as I am playing anorher episodic game called Dreamfall Chaptere where each short episode is an agonising 4 episodes apart.

[Tej]

Episode two is here! Loving it already.

Lots of time travel geekness from the first scene (explore explore explore), a character recommending a list time travel movies including one Japanese film with Sonny Chiba I never knew about! Useful stuff for us geeks!

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Will fire it up tonight!!

I read the official Square Enix release schedule...They are going to try to release each new part 6 weeks apart however if it takes longer than 6 weeks it will never exceed 8 weeks.

[Tej]

Lincoln wrote: "Will fire it up tonight!!

I read the official Square Enix release schedule...They are going to try to release each new part 6 weeks apart however if it takes longer than 6 weeks it will never exce..."

Indeed, I dedicated this whole day to playing it, just finished it and the end credits rolled with a message that the next game will be released in May.


My thoughts on Episode 2:

What a beautiful and sometimes exhilarating game this continues to be in this second episode. Max's powers is exercised a lot in this game but don't take it for granted! Some scenes are edge of the seat stuff (particularly the ending) but in between those very spaced out thrills, the game delivers a web of complexity and drama in characters and relationships. Much of the enjoyment for me is in the narrative, environmental details, slick dialogue and superbly nuanced vocal performances. The characters may admittedly be somewhat stereotypical but they have a lot of depth and as time flows in both episodes, perceptions of characters changes as more is revealed about them.

The game also highlights real world issues, such as bullying, depression, unemployment, delinquency, drugs and hints of even more serious offences. In fact the end game thoughtfully puts up a message for those players who may relate or be affected by any real world issues raised in the game. The message encourages to contact them and they will try to provide information on the local groups that can help them.

I dont want my last paragraph to make this game sound depressing, it is not, it just adds to a richly woven world that is relatable and very immersive whilst hugely entertaining in its narrative, black humour and time travel fantasy mechanics.

The gameplay is great fun and I must say easy for non gamers to play through. Advanced gamers like myself may selfishly feel a bit more wanting on the difficulty level for solving puzzles but I am not complaining. I wouldnt want the game to be too difficult to turn off non regular gaming folks from playing this superb series.

The real challenges are in making the right choices because once again, the game is heavily directed by the choices we make and often the choices are very grey areas in right and wrong. Its so carefully thought out. Of course many repercussions won't be known until future episodes but choices made in Episode 1 have now given rise to some repercussions in this one.

The production values are superb again, given that this is a niche gaming genre, the game small budget still oozes quality in visuals, storytelling, performances and a lovely "high school" indie soundtrack.

I am now very attached to these characters and absolutely hooked on the story that I will give this a

9/10


Game advice: its really important to explore and remember environmental details because some observations will play a very a key part later on.

Oh and also, I think I spent about 7 hours to play through this second episode but thats because I explore everything and through that one playthtough which means I got all the photos and achievements that were available to achieve so far.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Two Whales Diner

(view spoiler)[I loved the diner...Straight out of Groundhog Day!! You look at the jukebox and she says "I Got You Babe" needs some updating...Which is the song that comes on every morning on groundhog day.

Not sure I am on board with the environmental/Wealthy people are evil propaganda vibe I am getting...

I am also worried that Kate might be suicidal and Chloe is way to needy. (hide spoiler)]

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[I didn't save Kate....and I wondered if it was a non-changeable script point because why do you give me time travel abilities and than take them away in such a critical life and death situation. I played through to the end and saw that Kate could indeed be saved....So I loaded the game and saved her.

I am trying to make all the "Right" choices in one run through....and all the "Wrong" choices in another run through. However, who is to say what is Right and Wrong simply just different paths.

Did not enjoy the bottle hunting, but overall was enjoyable. I will need to go back and find all the photos and achievements, just so I can say I completed the game properly.

Chloe is such a loser...bossy...hanging out with Frank...I suppose its teenage realism. (hide spoiler)]

[Tej]

Episode 3 is out now! Enjoy. I wont be able to start playing this properly until Friday but I will play bits of it before then to get a taste of the mood in this third episode after the intense ending of the second episode.

Lincoln, I seem to have missed you last post, sorry. Great to see you enjoying it. I will like to comment on some things its 2am right now, another long day of work ahead, so will catch up tomorrow or following day.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

I meant to play through episode 2 at least one more time and boom I get the news that episode 3 is out and I just started playing last night...Very creepy Blackwell in the middle of the night!

[Tej]

Ha, yeah this instalment is getting all spooky on our ass.

Way to go yet, literally was squeezing playing this on my laptop during lunch and tea breaks and even on buses. Couldnt wait to settle comfortablly at home with it on Friday...i should though because this isnt a game to play during intermittant intervals.

[Tej]

Well I wasnt patient, so I stayed up late and finished the episode :)

Turns out I didnt need to sacrifice too much sleep as this felt like a much shorter episode. The mood and tone of the first two episodes continues with a deliberate slow pacing until a massive turn in the story occurs half way which excited me no end. However, I got it wrong in thinking it was "half way" as after another 20-30 mins of gameplay...the episode ended :(

I am absolutely loving this series but I am a little disappointed at the shorter length of this one...having said that, the story is getting highly intriguing and the time travel mechanism continue to be a real delight for us time travel fanatics.

The series continues to be a 9/10 but this last episode will have to drop a mark for being too short so 8/10 for this one.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

I finished today....

(view spoiler)[Not sure how I feel about Chloe asking her to kiss her...Just why? But I dug the end of world stuff no fish in the harbor and dead birds everywhere with the dead whales at the end....

Totally loved the end go back into some real time and save Chloe's dad...and spoiler alert save a father cripple a friend....I say its a high price but Chloe is not a super messed up teenage freak anymore which is a win in my column. (hide spoiler)]

[Tej]

(view spoiler)[
Yeah, that last chapter was a wild plot spinner turning this game into a bona fide time travel game! 

Time travel by photograph, lol. 

The whole save the father thing was always going to a bad thing and sure enough it was really really bad from Max perspective.

I loved the whole friendship thing with Chloe and Max...lovely dialogue and witty banter.  Chloe is quite the brat and certainly needs a slap but that is the whole point.  As we play Max we are given the reigns of choices in how to deal with her. 

The kissing thing was certainly and very deliberately provocative in testing our reactions. 

Remember this game is called Life is Strange.  Because Life really is strange like that without the time travel!  They are teasing us and very comendable for the developers to consider people of all orientations.  Remember its choice.  Max either kissed chloe or not...but its makes us think. if choosing Max to kiss, she does so in a playful dare but it doesnt mean she is gay or she might be...in fact surprisingly, its Chloe who shrugs off in surprise.  Notice also how max and chloe are often holding hands, thats intimate friendship.  But how intimate is it?  It could be an innocent loving friendship spanned from childhood or Max maybe wishing more from it.   Its a delightful play by the writers and society's stigma to what constitutes close friendship and confusion over ones own sexual orientation which i suspect Max might be in...the game throws those provocative thoughts elsewhere too.  But The game isnt about that just as Harry Potter was not ever about Dumbledore being gay, which the tiniest signs are there but never explored.  same with this game...I hope.  Because while i love all this character exploration and sexuality teases, i certainly dont want the game to get explicit in whatever choices are made.

Personally I love to see Chloe and Max as a deep deep friendship of polar character opposites.  However, as I said i have a feeling the writers may have written Max as in love with Chloe...possibly...!  So far though, I absolutely love how characters are explored here with surprising complexity.


But lets get to the main crux of that ending.  great dark twist although not so unpredictable as something bad was bound to come out of Max tampering with time.

What really bothers me gameplay wise is what the hell happens to all those choices we made?!?  They were all for nothing?!

At least i get another chance to save that damn Lisa...what a shock that i drowned her, lol.  80% drowned her too!  Did yiu, Lincoln?

<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

(view spoiler)[ I agree with you, I hope the Max and Chloe friendship is just deep friendship and not sexual, However, I have to throw out my theory...Chloe and Rachel Amber are lovers and discovering Amber's relationship with Frank is secretly killing Chloe, but she has to play it off because Chloe is very much in the closet...

Yeah I am curious about all the choices I have made...I suppose they will have consequences in the end....17 endings based on whether we watered our plant or not...

I play through trying to be nice and "right" and than play through and be mean or "wrong"...but sometimes the choices are not right and wrong just a choice....I did save Alyssa a third time...part of me says saving her is the right thing to do but establishing a pattern to make Alyssa suspicious of Max's ability so saving her might be the wrong choice.. (hide spoiler)]

[Tej]

Life is Strange is winning awards for its narrative and original IP. Penultimate episode should be due end of the month. It has been a longer wait than previous episodes but still a quick turnaround on the whole compared to many other episodic games.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/l...

[Tej]

Episode Four out today...enjoy!

[Tej]

OMG the choices to make are INTENSE!

This is one helluva an emotional ride. So far probably the episode yet although I haven't finished it quite yet. The characters are so real to me, with enormous complexity and moral ambiguity and all the past episode choices really come into play here.

But this series has now done enough for me to consider it as one of the greatest narrative driven games of all time even if the final remaining game turns out to be the weakest, this is still going down as one my top narrative gaming experiences.

And this may well be the greatest time travel game...even better than Back to The Future: The Game which I have championed to death in another game thread.

Anyway, let me finish off this episode now and Lincoln, hope your playing it too or at least soon, so we can talk about it :)

And everyone else, do play it. You dont have to be an experienced gamer at all, its story driven and is all about choices with a little puzzle solving here and there.

[Tej]

I will remember this game to until the end of the world.

Sorry, that was a reference to something within the game itself but it's also my true feelings! Having just finished the episode, it IS indeed the best episode yet. Its actually also a bloody great unlikely superhero story.

This just had it all. Its heart thumping, powerful, shocking, thrilling, emotional and even darkly funny thanks to some sharp witty dialogue. Even the actual gameplay of puzzle solving took a delightful step up as our protagonist turns detective, delivering proper clue solving detective work.

Chloe's rebellious character delivers the most witty retorts and banter but surprisingly my favourite line of the whole series was uttered by the relatively quieter, Max (our main time manipulating protagonist)

(view spoiler)[ "With great responsibility, comes great bullshit" (hide spoiler)]
not a spoiler but I put in spoiler tags in case you want to hear it first delivered by Max in context.

That line just made me burst out laughing, even more than Chloe's "home shit home" in the first episode. She summed up her journey in one despairing yet hilarious line.

I tellya, there are some games out there that are pretty powerful, in fact even more than a movie or tv series. This is one of them but there are some others too of which my favourites are The Longest Journey Series, PS3/4 exclusive The Last of Us (all time greatest), Heavy Rain, A Tale of Two Sons, The Blackwell series, and just recently a small indie game called Her Story.

But this game so far beats them all because as I mentioned in my previous post, the characters are the most real to me, deep and complex, close to the level that only a book can deliver. The narrative is incredibly intense and as the player in the shoes of our vulnerable hero, the choices we make can be emotionally wrenching.

Just one episode left...and oh man, the wait will be agonising even though its only two months away. And as one would expect in any saga, the penultimate episodes almost always have the greatest or jaw drawdropping cliffhangers/revelation...This one being no exception. If you thought the endings of previous episodes were game changing or wtf moments, then wait til you getta load of this episode's ending!

A brilliant achievement by this small European game developer company

9/10

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

I am glad you enjoyed it so much Tej...

I have not given up on the series myself, however it was released as soon as I went on family vacation so I have not been around my PC for a week. I look forward to jumping back in...episode 3 ended with such a shock that I am sure episode 4 will be profound!

[Tej]

Lincoln wrote: "I am glad you enjoyed it so much Tej...

I have not given up on the series myself, however it was released as soon as I went on family vacation so I have not been around my PC for a week. I look f..."

Priorities first, enjoy family vacation!

Look forward to hearing your response to episode 4 when you do get back on your PC :)

[Tej]

The final episode 5 is near, 20th October. This game is getting nominated left right and center of the gaming awards industry.

This game is a scifi drama comparable with the best of television scifi dramas, so dont miss out on it, you dont have to be a gamer to get into the simple gaming mechanics. Your input is mainly about choices you make for characters and of course your responsible manipulation for time travelling ;)

Lincoln, have you played episode 4 yet? Play it quickly as there are parts of the internet that gives away a huge plot revelation.

Even one of the popular gaming nomination for the category of greatest gaming moments gives away an ending of one of the earlier episodes, unfortunately.

I so cant wait for the final episode. Really has been a revelation in dramatic narrative gaming. There are other games that have delivered equally great narratives but given this has time travel, you guys have to give it a go :)

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

I finally played it as I did not want episode 5 to come out before I even finished episode 4.

SO SO CRAZY!

(view spoiler)[I didn't even suspect Mr. Jefferson until the Club Vortex party.

Did you kill Frank? I played through that encounter 3 times....Killed Frank....than shot Frank in the leg....and lastly Frank fought with a knife and stabbed his own self in the leg. I guess there is an outcome where everyone comes out unharmed but I figured this was alright with me.

I stopped Warren from beating up Nathan the first time through and than decided to let him go to town....

Did you help with Chloe's suicide request...crazy!

Each episode has been building...once its all here it will be fun to go back and see how certain tweaks will really affect the end game. I chose to warn Victoria and she believed me, I wonder if I am pure evil to her she won't believe me.

I keep choosing to save Alyssa keep wondering if there will be last affects like her suspecting I really do have time travel abilities.

Can't believe they killed Chloe...What a massive cliff hanger can we go back and save her in some way? I am also curious if Kate dies how the game would be different.

Anyways, sorry for delaying on this one....

(hide spoiler)]

[Tej]

Lincoln wrote: "I finally played it as I did not want episode 5 to come out before I even finished episode 4."

Yay, glad you caught up in time!

Mad week, Got my Star Wars Force Awakens midnight premier tickets this morning. I know I am one of the lucky ones as the cinemas couldnt handle the load and tickets sold out in minutes. Then we have the Back to the Future day on Wednesday and of course tomorrow , episode five of Life is strange is out!

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, try play through it again as there is actually a very satisfying and revealing solution to the Frank confrontation. Tense scene that. Pretty awesome.

That ending, oh man, what a knockout punch, chloe dead and JEFFERSON...damn, the clues were there on reflection but I just never suspected until that suspicous moment at the Vortex club...but still was a shock at the end. Every episode cliffhanger gets more shocking every time!

I am really scared for Chloe's fate because Jefferson has restrained Max from using her powers and notice how Chloe's life has too often been saved...as if her fate is to eventually die and we can't always keep saving her...but that would be a cruel game! Chloe character is so good (and the industry awards are even nominating her character in the best game performance categories).

My choices are always to try understand and help the character I am talking to, to always make the choices that focuses on the others Max is talking to regardless of the potential dangerous repercussion on Max herself, which basically shows Max as a character that is unselfish, compassionate and cares about the person she talks to regardless of how they treat her. These kind of choices brings out the better in others even the bullies. I never make Max agree with what Chloe does for instance. Basically I make Max choices very boring, lol.

So yeah I absolutely warned Victoria, tried to bring out the best in Frank, even in Nathan etc. (hide spoiler)]

I love how this game gives quite realistic and meaningful repercussions in the way we make our choices.

Well, tomorrow we'll get all our answers! (Well, hopefully they give all the answers!)

[Tej]

Oh my god, what a thrilling, provocative and utterly crazy last episode with the heaviest of moral choices and revelations about your OWN motives for Max.

Its a brilliant end that plays out in a different mold to previous episodes as this takes a turn towards a David Lynch-esque movie. Donnie Darko also springs to mind as a strong influence.

But for us time travel fans, time travel absolutely rules here with a brilliant new concept of nested time travelling!

There is even a lot of dark comedy in the most unexpected of places.

If you are playing this game on a Steam community or other community gaming platform base, your choices will be compared to others by percentage. It is startling to see how very split the choices are in this episode compared to previous episodes and personally, I find it shocking to see a key choice being made that I thought would be obvious but completely split 50/50.

Of course this game can be replayed many times to get different flavoured paths but I only played one path. I am satisfied with the narrative of the paths I chose for now be it a good or bad path as I simply want the story to roll with the personality I give to my protagonist. But I may revisit with a fresh new playthrough at a later date.

Its absolutely the game of the year and even movie of the year but as a time travel fan, it also absolutely knock the socks of most time travel movies and novels.

There are flaws though. Graphics-wise, this game can look a bit rough around the edges and lip syncing is still a problem. Choices are so provocative that it will divide many in its motives. Gameplay may be a bit wanting in some areas.

To me, those flaws are minor. This will go down as an all time classic. Best game of the year. Best time travel story of the year.

9.5/10 Unforgettable.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

You are already finished? I got distracted last night and didn't even realize I could of been playing this late last night until I came to work on Back to the Future day and realized its past the release date of October 20....I will rewind and play it tonight...Look forward to discussing the spoilers with you Tej.

[Tej]

Ha, yes, use your rewind powers :) Look forward to discussing for sure...it seems the game is literally polarizing (as per the episode title) going by Steam community responses.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Totally sucked into the story want so badly to finish....

(view spoiler)[I am stuck running a circle in the dark with Mr Jefferson and his flashlight...played for over an hour and even watched on youtube how to get away...but I can't...Frustration level 9.7....

Can you help me? (hide spoiler)]

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Besides parts of the game resembling a "game" and the swearing...I absolutely loved this game.

(view spoiler)[Did you kill Chloe? I did not at first...but than went back and sacrificed her, I felt the second time around felt more "right" but if anything this game has taught me...its not about right and wrong its sometimes between two wrongs and sometimes the choices are simply choices.

My only ending thought is if Chloe's gotta die to make things right...why not save William and kill Chloe at the beginning of episode 4...and everything is the way it should be?

Did you notice after the very end the scrolling at the bottom of the screen. Thank you for playing Life is Strange Season 1....Does this mean, not necessarily max and arcadia bay but perhaps a brand new story line in season 2? (hide spoiler)]

[Tej]

Great wasnt it? Glad you are on the positive side of the polarised reactions :)

First of all, Lincoln, what did you think of the soundtrack for this whole series?

For anyone who isnt sure of delving into this world, just need to listen to the eclectic soundtrack (songs not orchestral) to feel the quality of this game. One of the best gaming soundtracks ever. Even the Vortex nightclub songs felt like the best nightclub I've ever been to, lol.


OK, lets get down with that ending!

(view spoiler)[ Yes, I absolutely chose to sacrifice Chloe without much hesitation. Of course I felt depressed to choose that option but I wanted Max to be released of the dark attraction to Chloe who ultimately was the most selfish citizen of Arcadia Bay. She didnt even care about her mother! And furthermore she makes her final selfish act by forcing Max to make the choice instead of telling Max, to go save Arcadia Bay citizens. But at least she redeemed herself by acknowledging how selfish she was and gave Chloe the choice. What a brilliant and complex character, Chloe has been throughout this series. The actress who played her certainly deserves the gaming award nominations for best actress in a game. That supremely awesome nightmare sequence was such an incredible revelation that it had me even questioning my own motives.

See we do good and help people. But Why? Do we we do so out of genuine sincerity, care and concern or do we do it to be loved, or to be known, or to make sure we go to heaven? That is the revelation motives in question for Max. That masterful cafe scene and confrontation with herself followed by the Max and Chloe series highlights really hammered the motives of Max in a different perspective and screwed with my own psychological mindset on how I was making the choices for Max and even reflecting on my own choices in life!

Its clear Max was only delaying the inevitable fate of Chloe...in a Final Destination way. How many times has Chloe died in this game. Even in the alternate reality she would have died from her condition or by Max killing her.

The whole story turns out to be about Max and her motives and what she would do with the powers bestowed upon her. It was either a deep love for Chloe above all else or she genuinely cares about the people around her...including Chloe. But it turns out that her using her powers to keep saving Chloe is what brought the storm. So she would have been the cause of loss of lives and destruction all for the love and need for Chloe.

So in my mind, it came down to whether Max is selfless or selfish. I chose selfless by sacrificing Chloe. I didnt try the other option. Whatever I cannot rewind in the game, I let my choice be. Its how I've played the series throughout. I want one narrative.

Sacrificing Chloe was a bittersweet ending but ultimately a happy one despite the funeral scene. Everything may have looked as if every choice made in the whole series to be for nothing but it is NOT.

Chloe still has the memories of the alternate reality in which she kept saving Chloe. So she know the people more deeply around her and has foresight to know how to treat them. She knows the insecurities of Victoria, she knows the suicidal angst of Kate, she knows the tragedy of Nathan's unstable character as a result of being the son of a bullying tryant father, she know Mr Jefferson's psychotic photography. So she brings that wisdom into the new reality in which she will never use her rewind powers and rip a hole in the space-time. Its very much like the Star trek Generations final episode "All Good Things"

(*****************spoiler for Star Trek Next Generation final episode "All Good Things" ******************** as Picard had to sacrifice the enterprise in 3 different times to save humanity because they caused the growing anomaly that they are investigating in the first place ***************** end spoiler for star trek **********************************

And as I allowed Max go with the flow of Warren's flirtations and obvious love for Max, they will be an item together, so Max will not be alone.

So bittersweet but happy ending. Had I chose sacrifice Arcadia Bay, I would have felt a stabbing pain of betrayal, selfishness, and outright guilt. I dont know how that ending plays out but I imagine it would have Kate and Chloe being together but perhaps not smiling (maybe like the ending of the Graduate! perhaps play the song, "The sound of Silence", lol). I dont care to see that ending whatever it maybe, though. The only reason I would want to see the ending for that path is to hear what song is played, lol. I do love the soundtrack of this series.


I think I am happy with the way I have made the choices for Max, I dont really have a crave to play through the game to see the different repercursions. A lot of choices, naturally I wish I didnt make, like getting David thrown out...although maybe I still would make Joyce throw him out as he needed to learn a lesson in his approach to investigating, so on second thoughts, I am happy with that choice.


The choices we make dont reflect who we are as no matter how much a game immerses us, our instincts in reality are very different. Personally, I am a big coward and would probably say fuck em, and save myself, lol. But in the gameworld, I can make believe and compensate for my reality and be a hero and saviour in the game :) But curse the game for making me realise I was making Max a hero for self serving reasons, lol. What a great powerfully provocative game this was.


Amazing how polarising that final choice is, when you look at the percentages of the community...50/50! Wow. Understandable as Chloe was such an amazing character and lovable rogue friend to Max and us the players.

As for season 1 clue...wow, I welcome anything from these developers, DontNod. They made the awesome scifi game called Remember Me which dealt with memories as well as being a kickass adventure.

But this 5 part mini series game feels utterly complete except we dont know where Chloe's powers came from (I strongly suspect the mysterious blue butterfly). But I am happy with that remaining a mystery. The main story is wrapped, complete and its messages powerfully engrained. Its a cross between Perks of a Wallflower, Donnie Darko and Back to the Future part II. And what about the nested time travel, that was kind of unique and wild. I thought the time travel was absolutely radical in this series. What more could we ask for as time travel fans?!?

(hide spoiler)]


So those are my thoughts. Thanks for keeping me company in playing this Lincoln, I enjoyed this journey and discussing with you! I know you dont rate the game quite as high as I do but glad you still enjoyed it!

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Tej wrote: "Great wasnt it? Glad you are on the positive side of the polarised reactions :)

First of all, Lincoln, what did you think of the soundtrack for this whole series?

For anyone who isnt sure of del..."

Funny you mention the sound track....I sat and watched the end sequence and than the credits and than the main menu screen...I did not want to walk away...despite the overall completeness and satisfaction I felt in the end. I went online looking for a sound track....I can listen to some of the tunes on Youtube...or Spotify....call me old school I want a CD of all the music....I agree not all the orchestral music was great but the lyrical music was so very cool.

(view spoiler)[I can't believe you just spoiled Star Trek TNG for me!! Why is the anomaly bigger in the past? LOL I had a friend who could identify any espisode after watching for 15 seconds...it was a game we played in high school.

I know you only want one narrative and I understand the desire. But let me tell you the other ending...Max and Chloe drive through a tornado destroyed arcadia bay in Chloe's truck and yes they don't talk they both look depressed and Max looks out the windows at the destruction as an awesome song plays. I assume everyone else in the game is killed because no one else makes an appearance in the end sequence. Chloe says we will always be together Max as her truck reaches the edge of the destruction of the city and keeps driving....Cut to credits....

I understand what your saying about the game allowing us to make choices that we ourselves would typically not make...That is the joy of gaming...Doing things in fantasy we ourselves would not have courage to do. Part of me knew that sacrificing chloe was the right choice the "rebel" in me was like, I am going to sacrifice the whole town to see if this storm is really going to play out...after that nightmare, I was a bit curious if any of it was real....Wake up from a dream having fallen asleep on day one in Jefferson's class....

I don't mind not knowing where the power came from, I like the mystery still persisting. I also thought about how cool Max's necklace was that she wore to Chloe's funeral. Wondered if I could get the real deal or to be more manly maybe a lapel pin.

Max starts out the game in the deer shirt...and for most of episode 5 is in the butterfly shirt....A deer is innocent and calm....and the butterfly represents chaos theory...Mrs. Grant even makes reference to Sound of Thunder which spoiler involves a guy stepping on a butterfly and changing the future dramatically.

(hide spoiler)]

I think the time travel was amazing and I hope season two might involve a brand new set of characters but keep the power and gameplay mechanics the same.

I am not sure when I got old and became so terrible at time sensitive/twitch game play but I can't fault the game for having gaming qualities in a game....It felt very much like an interactive adventure narrative. I felt very immersed like reading a fantastic book and being taken somewhere amazing.

[Tej]

Ha sorry, I suspected you were a trekkie but I just wanted to be cautious putting in spoiler just in case ;)

(view spoiler)[ I watched the other ending on youtube. Not a rewarding ending...and thats how it should be in the context of the messages that game was giving. And wow, they dont even stop to help any survivors or even Chloe's mum...cold! Those two girls will clearly not be happy for the rest of their lives and be full of regret as the destruction of Arcadia Bay haunts them. This is an ending that depicts a selfish couple, especially Max! If that was the only ending, I would have been depressed over this game. The messages would have made no sense.

Sacrificing Chloe ending was bitter-sweet but still comforting and powerful giving a reveal that there is goodness in humanity in even the most unlikely of people. Its also a happy ending because Max retains the memories to use in wisdom in helping others, making friends/lover without a selfish motive as her nightmare sequence revealed.
(hide spoiler)]

I dont mind either way if there is a second season or not, all I want is more powerful stories and games from Dontnod. My worry is that Dontnod would be pressured into a second season and struggle to add more deep content when they could have redirect the creative energies into a new IP.

I dont watch these gamer playing games videos but these compilation videos of the endings of each episodes really shows how narrative gaming has come a long way to induce such emotional reactions! Last link has a poor fella completely breaking down in uncontrollable tears with his ending.

Only watch if you have played these episodes, naturally!

SPOILER REACTION VIDEOS

Episode 3 Ending:
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&...

Episode 4 Ending:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhK60...

Episode 5 Ending:
uh warning, this poor guy absolutely looses it, emotionally!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT2Ig...

Edit: Another Episode 5 Ending reaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRnYg...

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Some great reactions...goes to show you how great narrative can do to the gamer emotionally.

[Tej]

So Life is strange has not only won awards for best original game and best adventure but it actually came runner up for Best Story and Best game of the year beating the likes of the big industry heavyweights such as Grand Theft Auto and Fallout and Metal Gear Solid. That's quite an achievement for this small niche game and bloody well deserved. I am surprised but pleasantly so, as this was a public vote and I thought the big heavyweights would have won.

http://www.game-debate.com/awards/2015

[Tej]

I am a little disappointed that no one in the group apart from myself and Lincoln (and anyone else who is rather shy, posting anything in the group ;) ) has not played this game yet.


If you are still pondering, you can play Episode 1 for FREE via Steam...

....so come on, no excuses!!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/319...

[Tej]

Good news Lincoln (and anyone else that has played this remarkable narrative game)

A sequel is official! But no details as to what the sequel be about.

ALSO, If any of you are Playstation PLUS subscribers (£30-40 a year, you receive several games a month for free), Life is Strange is the major free game for June month!

And dont forget, everyone, the first episode is ALWAYS free on any gaming platform. So give it a go and join me and Lincoln in discussing the story.