Developer: DONTNOD
Publisher: Square Enix
Reviewed on: Xbox One X
Purchased.
This review contains non-descriptive story spoilers.
Life is Strange is establishing itself as an anthology series that uses contemporary subject matter as a backdrop to character relationships. The first game tackled sexuality and mental health to varying degrees of success, and the first episode of Life is Strange 2 dives headlong into racism and profiling in the United States. Just like the previous game the focus is actually on the relationships between the main characters and those you meet along the way… with a small dash of sci-fi wizardry. It’s a strong start that set ups a larger story in both scope and scale.
The story focuses on Sean and Daniel Diaz, two brothers who’s lives are thrown into disarray when their fathers is murdered in front of them and they flee the scene, fearing for their lives. The game handles the set up very well, establishing Sean as a typical rural teenager who’s only worries are impressing his crush and giving his little brother Daniel a hard time. The dialogue and interactions between Daniel and his friend Lyla, his father, and brother feel authentic and much more natural than the dialogue from the first game. One of the biggest criticisms of the first game was the heavy handed way the “teen speak” and high school drama was handled. While I’m happy to say that is is all handled much better in the sequel, there are still enough quirks to remind you this was made by the same team.
The best moments occur as you and your brother bond on the run. Sean, who you play as, is much older than his brother Daniel and as such has to reluctantly take on the role of the father, while also dealing with his own emotions. There are dozens of large and small moments that impact your standing with your brother and those you encounter in the world. Large decisions are obvious, like whether you attack someone or try to reason with them. Other things like whether you allow your brother to eat wild berries are less obvious. The game records all of these decisions, however, representing their impact with a wolf or cub icon. It’s not clear exactly what these decisions are building up to, but in classic TellTale fashion, you are shown all your decisions at the end of the episode along with what everyone else chose. It certainly adds a weight to all you choices, even the small ones, and hopefully it delivers on those choices down the road.
I talked about the dialogue earlier and what really drives a lot of it home is the voice acting. Both of the main protagonists’ voice actors deliver amazing performances, and there are a few exceptional side characters as well. It goes a long way to ground a story that can sometimes dabbles in the super natural and convenient circumstances. It’s all tied together with a wonderful pastel art style that features beautiful vistas, believable character faces, and gorgeous lighting. Plus a subtle soundtrack that underpins the emotional journey.
The first episode of Life is Strange 2 is aptly titled “Roads”. This is both a bigger and deeper direction for the series, taking a pair of disillusioned siblings on a road trip against their will. Their relationship is the only thing they can truly trust out there on their own, and that relationship is at the forefront of the decisions and events that unfold. There may be a few minor speed bumps along the way, but “Roads” is an impressive start to a very promising journey.
