Life is Strange - Episode 1

For my 100th review, we've got my favorite game of all time: Life is Strange. I first played Life is Strange in the fall of 2024 on my PlayStation, and I honestly loved every second of it. The story is among the best I've ever experienced, and it has genuinely stuck with me to this day. In fact, this was the game that truly got me into story-driven games, alongside Firewatch. The visuals are very unique, even if they're a tiny bit outdated. The soundtrack is also fantastic and fits perfectly wherever it plays. The characters are probably the biggest reason why I enjoy this game so much. Max is, in my opinion, the perfect main character, and Chloe is the perfect deuteragonist. They're both incredibly well-written, and every major character feels important to the story. I never felt like a single character was unnecessary. The choice system is also among the best I've experienced in gaming, and Max's rewind power is one of the most memorable mechanics I've ever used. Your decisions actually matter, making every choice feel meaningful. I honestly can't think of a single bad thing about this game. No game is perfect, but this is probably the closest I've ever come to calling one a 10/10. If you haven't played Life is Strange yet, you're missing out on one of the best story-driven gaming experiences you'll ever have. It only felt right that my 100th Steam review went to my favorite game of all time.

Pros: + The soundtrack includes “Kids Will Be Skeletons” by Mogwai. + The story is built around a cool sci-fi concept. + The graphics look fine for its age. + The gameplay is fairly bare-bones, but works okay. + Max and Chloe both feel like somewhat believable U.S. teenagers. Cons: - Max and Chloe both feel like somewhat believable U.S. teenagers. - Let's face it: it's 99% average teen drama, complete with all the usual clichés. - The incoming storm over Arcadia Bay (the major turning point the story centers on) feels more like a plot device and doesn’t hold up much by the end. - Max isn’t exactly a blank slate, but she also isn’t a fully developed character. - No side character emerges a single centimeter from the depths of Cliché Bay. I can't say it's terrible, it's ok. Valve, please, give me the chance to leave "Meh" reviews.

literally so good changed my life

🦋

I'm not the biggest game review writer but I need to say something about this game. I've heard a lot of recommendations about it before I tried it but it was not something I expected at all. Man, it was the best possible disappointment of my life! I absolutely love the main character with all my heart and the dynamics between some characters (mainly Max-Kate, Max-Warren). Max perfectly portrays the mix of not being bothered by opinions and yet caring so much about others in her unique way. The game explores the meaning of friendship in such an amazing way, it physically hurts. The smaller or bigger sacrifices, the mistakes one can make and willingness to make things right, to not throw it away at the first conflict. It's so impactful and so beautifully written. While playing it I had this really deep melancholic feeling and realization that this is what is sort of missing from the world nowadays in my opinion. Genuine connections, not being afraid of showing affection towards your friends and generally the importance of good friendships. The story is so realistically written that it immediately hits you with all these sorts of emotions and thoughts that will leave you thinking for hours. Out of story oriented games this might just be my all time favourite and I genuinely recommend it! The graphics are pretty good, the music is absolutely amazing and the story is just 10/10.

CHLOE

INCRÍVEL!!! Life is Strange é um jogo emocional e sentimental sobre crescer e amadurecer diante do caos que é a vida. Vemos tudo pela perspectiva de Max, uma garota esquisitinha que pensa muito mais do que fala. Constantemente, ela usa seus poderes para fugir de seus medos, problemas e dificuldades. Baseando na minha escolha, o final não é apenas um ato de heroísmo, mas um ato de aceitação. É entender que fugir não é a solução. É ver uma jovem entrando na vida adulta, amadurecendo e compreendendo que algumas dores precisam ser enfrentadas de frente. Os poderes surgem como uma saída, um caminho infinitamente mais fácil: ser a pessoa perfeita que todos esperam, sempre dar a resposta certa, sempre tomar a decisão ideal. Mas, no final, ao retroceder tudo pela última vez, você entende que nada está realmente sob seu controle, e crescer é justamente aceitar isso. Esse jogo é lindo. Sua atmosfera, a direção de arte, a trilha sonora, os diálogos e os personagens são tão marcantes e poéticos quanto uma fotografia em uma exposição, esperando apenas para ser contemplada e, acima de tudo, sentida.