Life is strange is a new game from Developer Dontnod, who most know from their first game Remember Me that some say bombed and others loved. Life is Strange follows a girl called Max as she returns to her hometown whose style and overall look hasnโt changed, but the people who live there have changed drastically. Not even a month into living in her hometown she gains the ability to reverse time, as if fitting in wasnโt hard enough, and so her tale begins, a Telltale if you will.
Story
This review is for Episode three and will have spoilers for the first and second episodes. For a more in-depth look at the beginning story and gameplay find the first part here
Learning of her new rewinding time powers, meeting up with Chloe again, and finding about all the shady business within Arcadia is just a little of what the previous episodes went into. Hearing about David and his plans to โcontrolโ arcadia through his police presence and Chloe being in debt on top of Frank who causes trouble for most people, this all adds to the environment that Max has to try and live in.
Episode 3 continues straight after Kate tried to commit suicide, depending on your actions this changes the outcome. Talking with Chloe and trying to piece things together you will find yourself exploring new locations in both the college and outside. Sneaking takes a bigger role in this episode as you try to uncover more truths in more dangerous scenarios. All along the way it seems Max is getting a better grip on her powers and they seem to be developing ever so slightly.
To playthrough the third episode the first time I took around 3 Hours again, similarly to the first episodes, looking at the majority of background items as well as taking pictures with Maxโs retro camera. Another playthrough with different choices only lasted around 1-2 hours.
Gameplay
This episode took more of a find and search approach, looking for hidden items within a certain area and finding the right clues through talking with people. Really taking advantage of the rewind powers you will find yourself using them in slightly new ways in this episode. There is also a new sneaking type section where you need to navigate around 2 guards, which I felt really added to the atmosphere of the level and the chapter as a whole, showing just how weak Max can be.
Again you could affect the world and have yourself be reverted in time, but he same space, this was actually a feature used to aid Max so my doubts about plot holes and the like have dimmed down quite a bit. Though some choices still got erased by Max, it seems the solidity of her powers is shaking a bit as she canโt control everything to how she wants.
Overall Thoughts and Feelings
Since most of the chapter took place in silence or sneaking areas the music wasnโt very in your face and faded into the background too easily. I heard only 1 track from a Hi-fi which I actually liked in the previous episodes. When music did occur it added to the scenes it was depicting, whether it was unravelling of a mystery or the ending cutscene.
Overall I give Life is Strange episode 3 a 4/5, it continues all the themes from the first episodes without an increased repertoire of mechanics. Characters develop somewhat after the shocking ending to the previous episode and itโs nice to see them react to such a big event. Items werenโt as hidden in off to the side locations this time, and finding most of the important stuff was easier, allowing for a more fluid playing experience.e
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artistโs personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.
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