This review has been written right after finishing the game for the first time, through all 5 episodes.

Life Is Strange may not be a Telltale game, but it plays very much like one but on the next level. If you liked TTG's The Walking Dead or any of their other titles, then this should appeal to you too. It's an adventure game with decision making involved. Because of this, there is also some re-play value where you can make other decisions to see how the story plays out differently (its all in the detail!).

Dontnod's game story is kinda like the movie Butterfly Effect, in that every decision can have huge repercussions.
At first glance, it looks like a typical highschool teen drama, but it is so much more. You play as art student Max and discover you can change the course of history. What unfolds is a dramatic quest for justice full of twists and turns. A rollercoaster of emotions that only few game can hope to match. I won't spoil any more, because the story is the main attraction here and should not be given away.

Lesson learned: DO NOT JUDGE THIS GAME BASED ON IT'S COVER!

The gameplay is very simple honestly. You walk around and interact with items, the environment and characters. The dialog system is also fairly simple but serves its purpose just fine.

Here's the kicker: YOU CAN REWIND TIME!

Rewinding allows you to use new dialog options you haven't had before (because you already know what the other person will ask/say) or prevent bad things from happening to the characters.

The graphics are kinda like a comic and its fairly fitting. They won't blow you away necessarily, but the game looks good.

Sounds are great. Lots of environmental sounds and good voice acting, although here and there the game could have used some more voice actors (some speak more than 1 character).

More than anything, I find this game having a rather profound impact emotionally. I have spent some time thinking about and this is the phrase I came up with:

"This game will rip your emotional heart out, stab it with a knife, put it back in repeat that over and over again."

That may not sound encouraging, but it fits. Nevertheless, I won't blame you if this game makes you cry.
I saw a grown man (Gronkh the German Let's Player if you are curious) cry after the (sad) ending to episode 2. Big manly tears where shed. I love it when a game "hits the feels" and this one does.

It's a game that makes you think, I will just say that much.

A BIG recommendation to anyone who remotely enjoys the trend of "interactive movie games" out there! Worth full price.

This review has been written right after finishing the game for the first time, through all 5 episodes. Life Is Strange may not be a Telltale game, but it plays very much like one but on the next level. If you liked TTG's The Walking Dead or any of their other titles, then this should appeal to you too. It's an adventure game with decision making involved. Because of this, there is also some re-play value where you can make other decisions to see how the story plays out differently (its all in the detail!). Dontnod's game story is kinda like the movie Butterfly Effect, in that every decision can have huge repercussions. At first glance, it looks like a typical highschool teen drama, but it is so much more. You play as art student Max and discover you can change the course of history. What unfolds is a dramatic quest for justice full of twists and turns. A rollercoaster of emotions that only few game can hope to match. I won't spoil any more, because the story is the main attraction here and should not be given away. Lesson learned: DO NOT JUDGE THIS GAME BASED ON IT'S COVER! The gameplay is very simple honestly. You walk around and interact with items, the environment and characters. The dialog system is also fairly simple but serves its purpose just fine. Here's the kicker: YOU CAN REWIND TIME! Rewinding allows you to use new dialog options you haven't had before (because you already know what the other person will ask/say) or prevent bad things from happening to the characters. The graphics are kinda like a comic and its fairly fitting. They won't blow you away necessarily, but the game looks good. Sounds are great. Lots of environmental sounds and good voice acting, although here and there the game could have used some more voice actors (some speak more than 1 character). More than anything, I find this game having a rather profound impact emotionally. I have spent some time thinking about and this is the phrase I came up with: "This game will rip your emotional heart out, stab it with a knife, put it back in repeat that over and over again." That may not sound encouraging, but it fits. Nevertheless, I won't blame you if this game makes you cry. I saw a grown man (Gronkh the German Let's Player if you are curious) cry after the (sad) ending to episode 2. Big manly tears where shed. I love it when a game "hits the feels" and this one does. It's a game that makes you think, I will just say that much. A BIG recommendation to anyone who remotely enjoys the trend of "interactive movie games" out there! Worth full price.