Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Life Is Strange Enough Without The Power To Rewind Time, But I Would Surely Love To Give It A Try!

 
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Strange-Limited-PlayStation-4/dp/B017AGIDT6/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1453256509&sr=1-1&keywords=life+is+strange#customerReviewsIt's been a while since I last did a game review. I had just finished this one before I heard the news of my job going away. Until I find a new one, I may not have the time or resources to review things like I used to. At least I have a killer game to talk about, one that deserves all the awards getting thrown at it.

In Life is Strange, you take control of Max Caulfield, a photography student at the prestigious art school of Blackwell Academy, in a small town along the Oregon coast. But things get interesting when Max saves her childhood friend by going back a few minutes in time. Since this is an adventure/choice game where the decisions you make causes a butterfly effect to the story, the idea of raising your hand to go back a brief moment in time is brilliant. Don't like the decision you made or the line of dialogue you used? You can go back and change it. This presents a whole new way of thinking about problem solving. Sure, you troubleshooted through a situation, but really, is what you ultimately decide on really the right choice?

Kinda messes with your head if you really think about it.

A major draw for me as I was playing this game was the sheer atmospheric tone, and also the excellent choice of indie music. Having lived a year along the Oregon coast, this game sure brought me back.

The glue to this story falls on Max's friend Chloe, who became a rebellious teenager when Max moved away. Their chemistry is very strong and well played out, not to mention believable.


But then things start to happen after Max tells Chloe what she can do with time, which then gives Chloe the idea to use these powers to investigate the disappearance of her other friend Rachel, who was a former Blackwell student before Max returned to Arcadia Bay. What unfolds is an enduring story of rekindled friendship and many difficult choices, with bullies, boys, and suicidal classmates through into the mix. And did I mention the impending anomaly of warped space time that grows stronger the more Max uses her special power?

Many reoccurring themes are expertly layered throughout this game. A pure and emotional ride from start to finish. Everyone swears like a sailor, perfect for a coastal town!



I'd be crossing into spoiler territory if I say much more, but I will say this: Life is Strange is one of those rare journeys you take where you don't know what's in front of you and the past is likely to haunt you, and its conclusion rests on, what I think, is the most difficult choice I've ever had to make in a game like this. Because you care about the characters, and this game is not afraid to kill its darlings. Max gets my "favorite original character" award for 2015.

Final verdict: 5 out of 5 Crullers

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In other news, next week is the Undead Road Tour! There will be a special promotion all week long on Amazon to celebrate the release of the paperback, including a dozen tour stops and a free ebook to one of every 10 commenters on this blog all next week. Come for the party and stick around to get infected by the hordes of Vectors!

If you could rewind time for a little bit, what would you do? Ever been to Oregon? Have you ever rekindled an old friendship?

18 comments:

  1. That game has beautiful artwork :)

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  2. Sounds more like a book than a game. I don't usually play games other than solitaire. Interesting though and yes, the artwork is beautiful.

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  3. Not played that one. I have been to Oregon though.
    Looking forward to hosting you on Monday!

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  4. Hi David - good luck with the tour ... if I rewound time - I'd go back to teenage years in Cornwall. I can't get into games - I hope you can keep your hobby going somehow.

    Sincerely hope the job front will come to fruition. Cheers Hilary

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  5. I love Oregon and am planning to go over there to visit a friend for Captain America: Civil War. Congrats on The Undead Road book tour, and I hope that you manage to find a good paying job very soon.

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  6. I've heard a lot about this game and everyone seems to love it! I've never played it tho - I tend to stick to the sims and that's it ;). I'd probably rewind time to stop myself saying something stupid/cringeworthy!

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  7. I've not only been to Oregon, I grew up there!

    Good luck on your tour.

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  8. The game sounds awesome. If I could rewind time, I'd spend a little more of it with some of those people I can't see anymore. Yup.

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  9. That's a great what if. I might have to steal it. Because going back in time even a little bit can have major repercussions.

    I have actually been to Oregon a few times. I used to have relatives living there. They have since moved back to California.

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  10. I remember hearing about this. It sounds like a cool take on time travel and I love story and character based games. I'll have to see if it's out for PS3.

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  11. That game sounds really cool! I would definitely play more video games if I had the time.

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  12. Fascinating game idea, and i'd love to be able to go back and undo something as soon as i realize it's an error.

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  13. That game sounds like it'd be a good movie.

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  14. Wow, sounds like an interesting game. The graphics look cool too.

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  15. Looks fun:) Good graphics too. Sadly, I don't have much time for games these days either (shrug).

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  16. This does look like a beautiful game. Sounds fascinating! Glad you like it so much. :)

    The party is sure to be a blast!
    ~Jess

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  17. Sounds like a game I'd love to play. :-)

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