We all have certain moments in our lives we wish we could do differently. Whether it was someone from high school that you liked but were too afraid to ask out, or perhaps a job offer you turned down because it didn’t seem like much fun. Whatever it may have been, would you go back in time and change things if you could?
In the game Live is Strange, that’s exactly what you do. In this intriguing adventure game from Dontnod, you have to decide the best outcome for the games hero, Max. She discovers that she has the power to rewind time, and at the best possible moment. One of Max’s friends is brutally murdered and she decides to use her newfound powers to go back in time and save her friend. The game starts with a powerful surge of emotion that creates the foundation of a story that deals with many of the personal problems people face, such as date rape, drugs and domestic violence. With all of these different themes, it would be easy for the game to feel generic.
However, the developers did a great job of handling each element with a great deal of attention and care. Gamers will find it easy to like and hate the characters in the game due to great vocal performances and art styling that is very expressive. The continued narration from the main character has the events feeling believable.
During your first trip through the game, it is kind of difficult to figure out what it is exactly that you are supposed to do so you will find yourself going back in time repeatedly to try a different option. This might be fun at first, but after your fifth attempt at getting it right, it gets to be kind of boring. Life is Strange is an exciting adventure that uses the episodic format and mechanics expertly and is a game that is well worth a shot at playing.
If you could go back in time and change things, would you?
