"Life Is Strange" is a video game available to play on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox, and Playstation. Unlike most traditional games, "Life Is Strange" was released in an episodic format, consisting of five episodes total. Each episode has a play time of about two or three hours. This game is best experienced when you go in absolutely blind to the plot, but here are a few reasons why you NEED to play this game.
1. The characters are realistic and three-dimensional.
If you are an avid gamer, you've probably come across certain games that have characters with whom you are able to connect to more than others. This game is sprawling with characters who are relatable and have depth. Nearly all of them develop over the course of the game, and as you learn more about them and get to know them better, you'll find yourself sympathizing with even the meanest ones. You are guaranteed to be extremely emotionally attached to at least one of the characters by the end of the game—if not several of them.
2. The atmosphere is beautiful.
"Life Is Strange" is set in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The main character attends a
private school called Blackwell Academy, which is renowned for its artistic and scientific achievements. The graphics are immersive and you'll be wanting to book a plane ticket out to Oregon by the time you finish this game. The beauty of Arcadia Bay resonates in every single scene, whether it's in the school or at the ocean.
3. The soundtrack is impeccable.
Composed of music by Syd Matters, Local Natives, alt-J, Bright Eyes, and more, every single song on the soundtrack is absolutely fitting to the game and atmosphere of Arcadia Bay. Most of the songs have an acoustic, mellow tone to them, and they're placed at the perfect times. Whether the songs play during a cutscene or in the background as you explore, every one is strategically played to build onto the mood the developers wished to create. You'll definitely be adding songs from this game onto your playlist after you hear them.
4. Your choices matter.
It's clearly stated before the game even begins: your choices will have consequences. The main theme of this game is related to "The Butterfly Effect." In this game, every time you make a choice, a butterfly shows up along with a message that informs you that your action will have consequences. It's up to you to decide whether you made the right choice or not. As the game progresses, you get to watch your choices affect how the story unfolds as well as how the other characters feel about you. Being able to watch all of your choices impact the game in one way or another is fascinating. It truly helps immerse you as a player.
5. There is positive LGBT representation.
This is one of the biggest reasons I believe that this game is important and should either be played or watched by members of the LGBT community. One of the main characters is canonically bisexual and you have the choice of whether or not the character you play is bisexual or not. The romance depicted is not sexualized in any way. It is a pure representation of young LGBT love, but this game also isn't a coming out story of any means. Sexuality is not a huge aspect of this game. The LGBT characters are not treated any differently than other characters for their sexuality. So many LGBT-related stories revolve solely around sexuality and make sexuality the most important aspect of the characters. "Life Is Strange" is a perfect example of how a person's sexuality doesn't have to define them. The romance is realistic, emotional, and will have you crying.
If you are still on the fence, I encourage you to watch the episode one trailer. On top of everything, the developers have decided to make the first episode free and accessible to everyone. Download it, give it a chance for an hour or so, and hopefully, you will fall in love with it, too.
