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Life is Strange Episode 1 Review Thread

C

chadskin

Member
Polygon - 8/10
Colin: It's odd because I've done nothing but criticize this game. And yet, I admire its courage and I enjoyed playing it. I want to go back for more. It's aimed for an indie-movie meets teen-TV aesthetic, but even while it sometimes misses the mark, it's still a novel and fresh experience. And, at the end of this first episode, I enjoyed the world and I liked the characters enough to want to come back for more.
Megan: I feel the same. Despite its shortcomings, there's a powerful kind of nostalgia I draw from its characters and world. The time travel aspect is cool, no doubt, but I'm down with the little things. I've enjoyed spending time in the complicated life of a teenage girl, because it reminds me of what it was like to be one. It's the first game I've ever played where I felt that my life was represented on screen - even at its weakest points. Life is Strange uses the ordinary in a way that is extraordinary.
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http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/29/7945795/life-is-strange-review-xbox-one-ps4-360-ps3-PC-episode-one

Kotaku - no score
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.
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http://kotaku.com/you-should-play-this-episodic-supernatural-high-school-1682653682

Gamespot - 7/10
Life is Strange sets the stage for later conflict, foreshadowing the storm to come and informing you of a young local woman gone missing. At the same time, the game makes everyone look like a guilty party. The rich frat boy with a gun, the smug school administrator, the stepdad in need of anger management skills--these and other characters have plenty to hide, though it’s impossible to guess what all their secrets might be. The looming tornado and the inconsistent time mechanic seem almost unnecessary as a result, for Life is Strange’s most important drama is the one developing in Max’s own mind.
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http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/life-is-strange-episode-one-review/1900-6416015/

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. It did its job of getting me interested. I have some minor concerns about how original the subject matter will turn out to be, but the focus on realistic problems is refreshing and the care put into Maxine’s world and the relationship-building holds plenty of promise.
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http://www.gameinformer.com/games/l...isode-one-chrysalis-review-game-informer.aspx

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.
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http://www.destructoid.com/review-life-is-strange-chrysalis-286926.phtml

The Verge - no score
It's impossible to tell how the entire season will play out after just one episode, but I'm definitely along for the ride — the debut sets up an incredibly intriguing mystery, and I really want to watch it unfold. But I'm just as excited for the less epic revelations; how Max's relationship with her estranged best friend Chloe will develop, why Chloe's step-dad is such a dick, and just what's up with the school's weird principal. I've saved the world enough. Now I’m excited for something new.
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http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/29/7945537/life-is-strange

Hardcore Gamer - 4.5/5
It’s very tempting to dismiss Life is Strange out of hand as the same pretentious pabulum that it emulates, but the affectations of hipster cinema prove essential to its narrative goals. DONTNOD’s sophomore effort aims to capture the voice of today’s youth, and outside of a few heavy-handed moments it succeeds. Anyone who went through high school in the last decade is likely to find themselves overcome with nostalgia as they play. 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.
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http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2015/01/29/review-life-is-strange-episode-1-chrysalis/132228/

GameReactor UK - 8/10
Life is Strange offers something different and unusual. Not only is the protagonist a young female, but central to the story is her friendship with Chloe. But we found that rather than experiencing something exotic and strange, we are dealing with themes that are universal. We've all struggled to fit in at one point or another. We've all had that one childhood friend that we drifted apart from and lost contact with. And we've all wished at one point or another that we could have turned back time in order to say something else than what we just did.
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http://www.gamereactor.eu/reviews/288094/Life+is+Strange+-+Episode+I/

GamesRadar - no score
While Life is Strange treads shaky ground with its adherence to indie, and relies a little too much on teen clichés, its lovingly constructed world and intriguing gameplay will leave you curious and excited for more.
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http://www.gamesradar.com/life-strange-review/

PSU - 8.5/10
Life is Strange, Episode One: Chrysalis is a joyous, gripping adventure that has laid down a strong foundation for the rest of the series. Its time-travelling mechanic is a great spin on traditional narrative, choice-heavy video games of similar fashion, and is backed up by brilliant characterization and superb storytelling. It may not be perfect, but there's absolutely no way you'll want to miss out on Max's adventures.
Click to expand...
http://www.psu.com/review/25708/Life-is-Strange-Episode-1-PS4-Review--Chrysalis

Examiner - 5/5
GameReactor DE - 8/10
Shacknews - no score
Metro UK - 8/10
Trusted Reviews - 8/10
HobbyConsolas ES - 8.5/10
Gameswelt DE - no score
PCWorld - no score
PlayStation Lifestyle - 9.5/10
 
A

Afrocious

Member
Thank you for this thread. I need to see the reception of this game. I'm on the fence about it. Comparing this game to Twin Peaks and Stephen King sounds like hyperbole to me, but I'm interested.
 
A

Afrocious

Member
Miles Quaritch said:
Bad synchronization = poor lip syncing?

I can put up with that, I just hope the gameplay and story are on point.
Click to expand...

From what I watched in the first twenty minutes, the lip syncing detail holds true.

I also mentioned in the other thread how I felt the characters don't blink enough. I got a bit of uncanny valley feels and it was creepy. I don't know if making the characters look realistic was a good idea considering the clothing and setting looks great and falls apart at the faces.
 
W

_woLf

Member
I just bought this on Greenmangaming for $13.50. 10% off already plus another 25% discount code floating around. Whole season for it. :)

I loved Remember Me and really want to support Dontnod however I can, so I'm all over this. Can't wait to give it a shot tomorrow....I already got my key when I just bought it, too.
 
M

Miles Quaritch

Member
Afrocious said:
From what I watched in the first twenty minutes, the lip syncing detail holds true.

I also mentioned in the other thread how I felt the characters don't blink enough. I got a bit of uncanny valley feels and it was creepy. I don't know if making the characters look realistic was a good idea considering the clothing and setting looks great and falls apart at the faces.
Click to expand...

Y'know characters blinking is something that's never really occurred to me before. It's just one of those details that I've never really paid any attention to.

Grisby said:
Is there gonna be an official thread? Will be jumping in tomorrow.
Click to expand...

There should be. Hopefully it goes up soon.
 
D

Doctoglethorpe

Member
Dunno how reviewers are putting up with that lip sync. Its the worst I've ever seen, I don't think I'll get immersed n this game at all.

$5 isn't much though, I'll probably still get the first episode and see how it goes, low expectations granted.
 
B

B E N K E

Member
Here's my review (Gamereactor UK): http://www.gamereactor.eu/reviews/288094/Life+is+Strange+-+Episode+I/ [8/10]

Same score as my German colleague. Lip sync is an issue - it's a weird choice given how much detail the rest of the game has (which kind of adds to the issue).

I played through the first episode in about 2 hours - though upon looking on my "decision" screen afterwards - there were many smaller decisions that I didn't even realise was there to be made so there's lots to explore and tinker with on the side.
 
W

_woLf

Member
does lip syncing really matter that much to some of you guys? how did you survive back when all games had bad or no lip syncing?
 
A

Afrocious

Member
_woLf said:
does lip syncing really matter that much to some of you guys? how did you survive back when all games had bad or no lip syncing?
Click to expand...

It has to do with uncanny valley for me. I'm willing to look at something as blocky as Grand Theft Auto 3 and be fine with the NPCs interacting, but when we get to games that try to simulate humans and human interaction and do it well, smaller details are easier to catch and they can become jarring. Visually, Life is Strange is on key with being realistic-looking enough to convey the idea that this is a girl and her world, which to her, is real and is close enough to look similar to what we as people see on a normal basis.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UncannyValley
 
F

FDC1

Member
I just began to play and even got he first trophy :p, the lip synching doesn't shock me that much. I'll play it this week-end
 
U

Unkle

Member
PSU's review is here.

Life is Strange, Episode One: Chrysalis is a joyous, gripping adventure that has laid down a strong foundation for the rest of the series. Its time-travelling mechanic is a great spin on traditional narrative, choice-heavy video games of similar fashion, and is backed up by brilliant characterization and superb storytelling. It may not be perfect, but there's absolutely no way you'll want to miss out on Max's adventures.
Click to expand...

8.5/10
 
D

DukeBobby

Member
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."
Click to expand...

Playstation Lifestyle - 9.5/10

In the end, the only thing I can truly say is that Life is Strange is a must-buy. With its artsy graphics and music, relatable and realistic characters, and numerous mysteries and choices, the episodic adventure easily sucked me in and had me wishing I could dive directly into Episode 2. If the future episodes are anything like this first one, then I think Life is Strange is set to be one of the best games of the year, if not the best one.
Click to expand...
 
M

Miles Quaritch

Member
Reviews are solid. Sounds like the story and gameplay are indeed good, so that's my main fear alleviated.

The slow start makes sense but at the same time, I feel that perhaps might work against the game as first impressions are key and if feels slow and unsatisfying, could sway people against future episodes.

Now where's that OT...
 
M

MisterShine

Member
It seems like first episodes for these types of games always leave a good impression. I hope don'tnod can keep up the pace telltale often struggles with.
 
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