u/4ndr314

I played Life is Strange for the first time in April this year and, oh my god, what a game. It might be the best game I've ever played. I don't remember being so involved in a game as this one, especially emotionally. The way we can interact with every character and with the environment makes the game a lot more personal, deep, and like we're a part of it, not just someone playing a video game. Also, the growth of Max and Chloe's relationship is well made, in my opinion. In the end, I chose to save Chloe. After everything, I couldn't let her die and have Max carry all that trauma alone.

After this, I played Before the Storm and I loved it as well. It was nice to see how Chloe dealt with the loss of her dad and Max, but also how she met Rachel and how much Rachel means to her. The final cutscene is so heartbreaking. I already knew what would happen to Rachel, but seeing it is a completely different feeling. In the final choice, I chose to keep the secret, but I regret doing it. I should told Rachel the truth. Now I have one more reason to play BtS again.

Life is Strange 2 is also an amazing game. I felt that the first and part of the second chapter were a bit slow, but the game grew on me the more I played and I enjoyed it a lot. I also identify a lot with Sean, because I have a little sister and I would do anything for her. I had the Parting Ways ending and I was devastated because, after everything, the brothers don't go together to Puerto Lobos.

I really liked playing True Colors and it was good to see Steph back. My favorite part was the Larp episode and I had a lot of fun in that episode. Although Alex's power wasn't as impactful as Max's and Daniel's, I enjoyed it and it has its value. It doesn't alter time and reality or the physics world, but seeing what a person is feeling and thinking in a certain moment and the ability to help and understand that person's pain is very powerful to me, especially when we live in a time when a lot of people are dealing with mental health problems. In the end, I chose Steph and both left Heaven Springs to pursue a music career.

Double Exposure was a surprise to me and I loved to see Max back. I was sad and annoyed with the breakup between Max and Chloe (especially with the way that was addressed) but, putting this aside, I really enjoyed the game. Seeing Max as a grown-up was refreshing, and I also liked to see her without Chloe (I know, it's weird). The reveal of Safi's power was a surprise to me and I really liked that plot twist, but in the end, I couldn't accept her request. We almost destroyed time and reality and she wants to pretend that nothing happened and continue using the powers without thinking about the consequences.

Last but not least, Reunion. This one is an emotional roller-coaster for me and I loved playing it. Chloe is back and the girls are back together. I felt the main story (the crime solving) could be better and I wish there were more puzzles and better uses for Max's power (instead of being mainly in conversations). But the main focus here is Pricefield, and yes, I took the bait. Every time Max and Chloe interacted, I either smiled or cried, sometimes both, depending on the scene. I chose to have Chloe burn the photo because, after LiS1, it was her turn to make the decision and protect Max from it. Max had already accepted that she couldn't go back (since she thought all the photos burned in the fire), so it didn't make sense to give her the option to go back.

After all these adventures, Life is Strange is definitely my favorite game franchise. The environments in all 6 games are just amazing and breathtaking. Every scene has something special, and I wish these games had a photo mode (I play on PS5, so no mods for me). And the soundtracks? I don't even have words for them. They're beyond amazing and so well-chosen for each moment. Now my daily playlist is full of LiS music, especially from BtS and RE. I loved every single game and I can't wait for the TV show and other games to come out (Although, I think a new game will depend on the success of the TV show). My wallet is also suffering from this, since I'm building a LiS collection, but that's a conversation for another post. 🦋💙