So, after Remember Me, French studio Dontnod has decided to try their luck at making an episodic game in the vein of TTG... but with a twist.
In Life Is Strange you play Max, a photography senior at Blackwell Academy, in Arcadia Bay, Oregon. It's just another day at high school for you until you witness another student shoot at your friend, Chloe, or did you? In an instant Max finds herself back in the classroom several minutes before the instant. As Max copes with the sudden realization that she can manipulate time, she and Chloe must also uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a fellow student.
The main mechanic of the game is the ability to rewind time what allows Max to change dialogue choices so as to alter the outcome of a given event. During this rewind she can also apparently keep objects with her that will allow her to solve different puzzles. Here's an example of how this works:
NOTE: These are the first 20 minutes of gameplay so if you don't want spoilers, skip it.
Like I said, the game is episodic. There will be five episodes, with the first one releasing January 29th for the U.S. (it's already available) and January 30th for the rest of the world. You can buy the season pass now for $19.99 or only the first episode for $4.99 to get a feel for the game. Yes, unlike TTG, the first episode is also available on Steam so you don't have to buy the season pass.
I'm hopeful Dontnod can improve on TTG's formula but I guess we'll see.
I'll leave you with the trailer and some reviews for the game.
Hardcore Gamer (4.5/5):
"Few games – hell, few films – are so genuine and earnest in their execution, and few first episodes of anything are so effective in leaving you wanting more."
Destructoid (8.5/10):
"For now, we're left with our first glimpse at Arcadia Bay, our initial look into the life of Max. It was a slow, yet well-paced initial chapter that set the table more than anything else. There's no telling where the story will go from here. But, as Chrysalis faded out, an indie song played that felt wonderfully at home in this setting, and served as a warning of things to come. It chanted "We will foresee obstacles, through the blizzard, through the blizzard.""
GameSpot (7/10):
"Inconsistencies of time reversal aside, Life is Strange is an involving slice of life that works because its situations eloquently capture a peculiar early-college state of mind."
Game Informer (8.5/10):
"The next episode will surely define what Dontnod is out to accomplish, but Life is Strange’s introduction is a good look at the characters and dilemmas."
Polygon (8/10):
(It's reviewed by two people as a conversation so you'd better read it.)
PlayStation LifeStyle (9.5/10):
"In the end, the only thing I can truly say is that Life is Strange is a must-buy."
The Jimquisition (6.5/10):
"Quite a strange little item. Its dialog makes me wince, but I will confess to being more amused by the awfulness than upset by it, at least half the time. It’s embarrassing and hella lame for totes, but there’s something almost charming about it. Still, I don’t quite think that’s what Dontnod had intended."
Metro (8/10):
"A wonderfully assured first episode, in what has the potential to outdo both Telltale Games and Quantic Dream in terms of successful video game storytelling."
Trusted Reviews (8/10):
"That having been said, if you are a fan of point-and-click adventures (or those Fighting Fantasy books from yesteryear) and a sucker for an intriguing, atmospheric yarn you’ll be right at home here. In fact, it may be just the sort of entertainment you’re looking for if you’re between TV shows."
Eurogamer (they will only rate when all episodes have been released):
"I like the concept, but have yet to be sold on the execution. The story is OK, but hasn't hooked me, while moral choices and rewinding time feel more than a little overplayed as gameplay devices. Here's hoping that over the next four episodes these seemingly disparate themes and ideas will knit together into something stronger."
Kotaku UK (no rating):
"There’s space in later episodes for Life is Strange to grow in confidence, and I hope it does. All the same, episode one is a promising start to a type of story that’s rare in games, and not just because it stars two teenaged girls. For the price — and especially with a demo available — you should definitely try it."
NOTE: As far as I know, the demo (mentioned above) is only available for consoles.
Ars Technica (no rating):
"Worth a look for anyone seeking a unique, more grounded take on the adventure game."
IGN (6.5/10):
"Life is Strange suffers from awful voice acting and writing that doesn’t do its characters and world justice. Dontnod has created great scenarios for a story I’m eager to learn more about, but the moment-to-moment interactions with people in Max Caulfield’s life are pretty painful. Archetypal characters with weak lines and worse delivery don’t ruin everything, but they make it harder to buy into a story that’s trying so hard to have heart."
IGN Italy (7.9/10):
"A good start that shows a lot of potential and great personality but is a bit dragged down by the clunky writing."
I'll add more reviews as they become available and hopefully TB will do a WTF is.
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Guest_mikeucrazy_*
Episodic kills it for me, though. Not unless the episodes can last 6-8 hours or more. I'd rather wait for a full version.
