Target audience/Platforms
Life is strange is a point and click adventure aimed at teenagers (15-17). It can be found on the majority of recent gaming platforms: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Microsoft windows.
Genre/Narrative
The first episode revolves around a 17 year old girl called Max returning to her hometown, Oregon. After discovering she suddenly has the ability to rewind time she is reunited with her former friend Chloe, now a completely different person than she was 5 years ago, and their lives are slowly explored as the story develops. It could be considered an adventure game because of the narrative.
The reviewer of Edge commented that the narrative felt ‘very melodramatic’ which detracted from the ingenuity of the story, overall they believed the story had not progressed so far as much as they’d have liked. Edge also mentioned that ‘Max’s rewind ability is what managed to drag this game towards the fantastic’. On the other hand, Angry Centaur Gaming said that the setup and level design were brilliant; although, whilst they were enjoying the story so far, they felt the time reversal hadn’t been used enough which is completely contrary to the other review. They went on to say that the story was both unique and wonderfully atmospheric, with the beautiful soundtrack being very reminiscent of high school and creating a ‘moody’ feel.
Characters
In Life is strange the characters appear to be the focal point of the game as the narrative tends to revolve around their relationships with one another. Max Caulfield is the protagonist, although her personality is not described as being particularly strong. In fact, the majority of Blackwell academy students appear to have an effect over the narrative as they flesh out the world with what Angry Centaur Gaming believes to be very credible voice casting. Chloe Price is Max’s old best friend who has changed a lot, seemingly by the fault of the events that must have taken place in Max's absence.
The characters appear to be the aspect of the game drawing the most negativity from Edge’s review, it states that the cliché backstories and character archtypes detract from the ingenuity of the story. Chloe with her ‘evil stepfather’ and rebellious attitude makes an almost cringeworthy stereotypical teenager to drive the narrative forward, and the reviewer points this out. Angry Centaur Gaming has an entirely different view as they call the characters ‘intriguing’ and comments that there are are some genuinely touching moments between them. Whilst they continue to praise the animation of them, they also berate life is strange for the awful lip syncing although specify that the actual voice acting is incredible with a brilliant cast.
Production process/Gameplay
Life is strange is a game with 'relatively simple mechanics'. At times you are given the option to explore the world and to speak with the characters or interact with the environment. The only inventive mechanic is the ‘time rewind’ in which you can go backwards in Max’s timeline to reset decisions you have made or do something a different way. The actual production process of the game is not mentioned in either of the reviews.
Edge starts their review by stating that Life is strange ‘needs more sci-fi in it to gamify it’ after initially admitting they felt the rewind mechanic was one of the most interesting parts of the game. However, the level design was described by the reviewer as a dreamlike space and time, nostalgic of a time that only partially existed. They continue to express their love of the world by saying that the game feels more about setting than about the people in it, Arcadia bay has character and the attractive art style only enforces this. The reviewer of Angry Centaur Gaming compliments the oil painting aesthetic of the graphics which makes the entire game look ‘amazing’. He admits the gameplay is only a simple point and click and the only new mechanic really is the time reversal, making it less unique than other franchises, but that the setup is still great- ‘akin to the goonies with its small town community’.
Personal recommendations
Overall, whilst Edge appear to have hope for the game and where it’s going, their review is largely critical and their main point of positivity is the setting of the game. The review is average, giving the reader little inclination to purchase the game. Whereas Angry Centaur Gaming love where Life is strange is going, they are dazzled by both the world and it’s characters and urge the viewer to try the game out for themselves.
Angry Centaur Gaming review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWW0JOrUY80
Edge issue 275
No comments:
Post a Comment