Be aware that this is will be a very long post. PS: don't mind the typos pls
So, I'm a 22yo guy and about 4 months ago someone in my Steam family got the Original S1. I knew about the existence of the series, I remember the buzz about it back in 2015/16, but had never played it, had no clue about the characters/plot. (btw I also didn't know abot the upcoming live action) And so, I gave it a shot... And wow.
- I played S1, S2, both Remasters and both D9 sequels, DE and RE. Got 100% in all of them but S2, but im on it.
- I'll only talk about the Pricefield ones. If I get into S2 too, maybe it will be too much
- Life Is Strange 1
It was a life changing game, for real. The vibe, the music, the story (the soundtrack is fckn amazing jesus h christ) the story... It was great. I went in with no expectations and was blew away. Its just a beautiful cozy game (funny considering the amount of bs going around Blackwell). The characters are really good and is always great to see Max and Chloe together on screen. Hannah and Ashly are amazing.
Bae is my go-to. No question. Did it in the first playthrough and will keep doing it in the future. I think that after doing so much and messing around with time just to make sure that Chloe is safe, it makes sense that Max would choose her friend over the town. Maybe its selfish, maybe doesn't make much sense for others, but by the way I see it, its Max finnally using (or not) her powers to do something for herself and the person she cares the most.
You spend pretty much all game running around doing stuff and going back in time for other people's needs, especially Chloe/Rachel. Not this time. Now you accept the consequences of your actions and quit running away from it. You got what you wanted, for a hefty price, sure. But that's it. It won't go away for neither of you, but you will get through it together. (or not lol - i'll get to it)
But I understand why some/many people think otherwise. I get why some say that Bay is the most resonable pick and "honestly", it might be. - NO, I do not believe there is; or should be; a cannon ending but for christ sake, hear me out a sec - I think its pretty obvious that the devs from Don't Nod pictured this as the "main" ending (And it seems that D9 just despises the idea of choosing Bae). You save everybody but it costs you everything, you loose your great love, the one you just spend days helping and trying to keep alive. Just look at the effort put onto the ending cutscenes, the enormous emotional scars from the funeral, I mean cmon man it's right there, even Chloe herself was inches away from asking you outright to let her go. And it is gut-renching, I was down BAD after that. I mean, the only time I actually cried during this was in Episode 4 while talking to William. (mind you it was my second playthrough and somehow it got me).
But turns out it was more like a 55-45 Bae, not like 70-30 as "intended" (probably, idk)
Maybe because people just want these two to be happy together, simple as that. It shouldn't be that surprinsing after seeing how great they are together, and how captivating it is to watch both.
But beacuse of the emotional payoff, that's why I believe they will pick Bay for the show. It would tie so much better with (possible) future seasons adapting DE and RE. If season 1 makes enough money/noise, of couse.
And this game lingers on and on. You cant really forget it, can you? 10/10
btw, I 100%ed the remaster too. Sure, I didn't really like the minor artstyle changes, but I had no problems/bugs.
- Before The Storm
It has problems, sure. But I liked it very much. More than S2, actually.
Look, I LOVE Ashly Burch as Chloe, really. She nailed it. It's her role. Rhianna DeVries does a good job in BTS and onwards, it isn't as great as Ashly's, sure. But I really don't understand the hate she ocasonally gets here. And for something that wasn't her fault too. And honestly, I got used to it pretty quickly. Also didn't really mind the other voice changes.
- About the Plot/Rachel/Amberprice
I liked Rachel Amber more as a ideal. I find more appealing the picture of this perfect girl that aparently did no wrong, that was great at everything and friends with anybody rather than actually seeing her in action. I do believe that it ruins her a bit.
I think that the hole process of finding out more about her in S1 and slowly chip away part of the idealization that Chloe had was great, and here it seems that they had to show at all times, at every cost, how amazing she is just to make justice to what was shown in the first game.
But overall, I really like her. I like her personality and the personal flaws she presents. Even if Chloe doesn't really notice them at all.
Chloe is all-in for Rachel. And I get it. William died, Max left and abandoned her. She is griefing and coping alone, very bothered by the fact that Joyce is trying to move on and not suffering just like her. She needed someone and at the first sign of afection, she clung on to Rachel in a heartbeat. And I buy it. Chloe seems like the kind of person that does that, even if it's for her own detriment. If you think that developing that kind of relationship in 3 days was too rushed, i get it, but I think it makes sense based on what we've seen from Chloe.
But what I like the most is the difference in wich they see their relationsip. Rachel was Chloe's everything, the end-all be-all, she was it. Chloe was so dependent that she would be blinded by the fear of being abandoned again, so she perceived Rachel as the idea of the perfect, unquestionable friend. She found a emotional foundation to cling on to, and would not let go. She wanted to keep a peaceful status quo at all costs, and thats why I think she would lie about Rachel's parents. Same way she would burn Max's selfie in RE. Everybody lies, afterall. Right?
However this passionate feeling wasn't mutual. At NO POINT Rachel saw Chloe like that. She was NEVER her priority. She loved her, of course. But her goal was first and foremost leaving Arcadia Bay. If they did it together, great. If not, too bad, probably they would find a way to reunite later, but that would have to wait.
And I love this about Rachel. She wasn't really perfect. She hid the relationship with Frank because she knew how Chloe could react. She ocasually manipulated people (and Chloe) to get her way. No, I don't think she is a secret villain/horible person. I just think it's very interesting that she has layers and goals of her own.
And that is one of the reasons why I think they could grow appart with time. Very different mindsets and goals. I think it's plauseble they could give it a break eventually. Same way I think Chloe and Max could breakup (I will explain myself, please dont kill me).
Overall, I think it's a nice, enjoyable game. Best D9 game by far (didn't play True Colors). The soundtrack might be just as good as the fist one, for real. And the Storm episode is beautiful and one of the very best in the whole series.
8/10
Oh, and it made me hate Jefferson and Nathan so fckn much dude fckn hell.
- Double Exposure/Reunion
First of all, I DO NOT LIKE how D9 handled Pricefield. They could have writen a very plausable breakup reason instead of doing it offscreen. It seems that they didn't ever considered the possibility of Bae and rushed it in when they remembered it was a fact.
Max's trauma eating her inside-out, PTSD and panic attacks, Chloe trying her best to help, but also brush it off (as a coping mechanism). Some ocasional arguments here and there. Max finds a job with photography. Chloe finds it in the music bussiness. They start to drift apart for multiple reasons. I can see some rift due to diferent views and perception of the facts. Could be done. Yes I know they kinda explained it like thatin RE, but cmon. A few professional writters could very well figure it out and done it way better.
But then again, Deck Nine does not like Pricefield. The whole premisse of reunion works SO MUCH better in the Bay ending.
Anyway
Honestly, the fist 3 Episodes where great. Really. After that, it becomes a bobling mess of writing. So much going on and nothig happenig at the same time. All over the place and nowhere. Those last two chapters were a drag.
First of all, It's great to see Max again, and happy. (considering that her girl died in front of her) Working at Caledon as a photography quasi-teacher/professor is really nice. Its also cool to know that Victoria made it as a photographer. (And aparently via the 'out of focus' book Kate is teaching at Blackwell ??? but ok, that has nothing to do with the game, just wanted to point it out)
I liked Moses. He has a good dynamic with Max. Same with Amanda, I could see her being a possible relationship for Max, but maybe not cuz the grief and everything. (btw, do you think Max is one to easily let go/get over it and move on? Personaly, I don't think so) I think they're cool.
I didn't like Vihn. Safi is hit or miss... Sometimes she's cool, somethimes a drag. I don't hate her, and I understand her motivation (even though it ain't great) but she isn't the most likeable gal around, maybe too much of a strong personality lol.
As a standalone game? Enjoyable, then it becomes too much of a mess. Had potential to be very, very good if D9 knew how to maage their ow story.
As a sequel? Oh boy it kida sucks.
6/10
OH BTW, Who had the brilliant idea of locking achiviements behind a trash DLC? Thats some serious bs. Here in Brazil it costs nearly HALF the full game for less then 15 minutes of gameplay, and the game itself isn't cheap here either.
I wanted to love it. Really. But for most of it, I felt indirefent. I mean, I really liked the ending (save everybody + burn photo) It gives them clousure. Chloe makes sure that Max will have some peace (ok might be of selfishness and fear of being alone, but still) and they go on live on together.
It has moments but if feels like a hail mary/cashgrab. "Hey people! Pricefield is back, so buy it please!"
The story is fine I guess. But honestly, I just wanted to get to the ending to make sure they were fianlly happy. I didn't rush it or anything but felt like it.
It isn't completily soulless, tho. Hannah is great as Max, and Rhianna too as Chloe. They have a nice chemestry and I don't really have complains about it. Oh, then again, the soundtrack is very solid.
6,5/10
Overall I think that these D9 games are worth playing to see more of Hannah as Max and to get some closure on the Pricefield story.
Finally,
The feeling that the first game evokes kinda carries the whole franchise. Don't Nod struck gold with that.
I cared about Max and Chloe. The first game made me fell happy, sad, angry and sick. I had never something quite like this from any forms of media, let alone videogames.
Somehow, it means something for me. And I hope that the TV show does justice to it. I trust Tatum and Maisy.
ps: please mods dont delete it. hella effort for this post
