Life is Strange Turns 9 and Still Relevant

It's already passed nine years since the first chapter of Life is Strange was released, and since then, the game has not only established itself as a milestone in the narrative genre, but has also given rise to a respectable franchise. With each choice we make, the impact of these decisions reverberates throughout the plot, transforming the experience into something unique and personal for each player.

Divided into five episodes, Life is Strange was released in 2015 and quickly received critical acclaim for its emotional approach, which mixes themes of friendship, loss and deep personal issues, all with a touch of the supernatural. Despite its time, the game remains relevant to a new generation of players and still receives praise from critics and fans.

With the release of Life is Strange: True Colors in 2021 and the remastering After the first two titles in the series, many new fans were drawn to Arcadia Bay, and some of the toughest dilemmas players faced in the original game were brought back to the fore. Here, we look back at three of the most impactful decisions from the first game. Life is Strangewhich left fans with their hearts in their hands.

1. Mocking or Comforting Victoria Chase: A Small Gesture, Big Consequences

Right at the beginning of Life is Strangein the episode called “Chrysalis”you, as Max Caulfieldis already challenged to make a choice that seems simple, but which can later have tragic consequences. After sabotaging a bucket of paint and ruining his cashmere sweater, Victoria Chaseone of the most popular (and insufferable) students in Blackwell AcademyMax can choose between mock her or comfort her.

Of course, most players loved the opportunity to put Victoria in her place. Who hasn't wanted to fight back against that school bully? However, like everything in Life is Strangeeach choice has a weight. If Max chooses to mock Victoria, the relationship between them becomes even more complicated, and this affects the course of the next episodes.

2. The Fate of Kate Marsh: A Difficult and Decisive Choice

The episode “Out of Time” brings one of the most exciting and challenging moments of the entire game. Kate Marsha religious student at Blackwell, is the victim of a scandalous video that circulates at school, and her suffering reaches the point where she considers suicide.

At this critical moment, Max tries to convince her not to jump off the roof. However, to be successful in this mission, it is necessary to choose the right lines during the conversation. Details about the life of Katewhich you may have noticed throughout the game, make all the difference here. This moment becomes even more dramatic because the ability to Max going back in time is not available. In other words, there is no second chance. The emotional intensity of that moment was one of the reasons why Life is Strange stood out so much.

Save Kate is one of the greatest proofs of Max's responsibility regarding the power of his choices. And, without a doubt, it is one of the most striking scenes in the game.

3. Sacrificing Arcadia Bay or Chloe Price: The Ultimate Dilemma

The end of Life is Strange presents players with an almost unbearable choice: save Chloe or sacrifice Arcadia Bay. Throughout the narrative, Max has been manipulating time to protect Chloe from her imminent death, but this manipulation brings catastrophic consequences, such as the storm that threatens to destroy the entire city.

Now the player must decide whether to save Chloeher longtime friend and possibly love interest, or allows her to die early in the story, thus reversing all the events that led to the chaos in Arcadia Bay.

This decision was widely debated among fans, especially those who were emotionally invested in Max and Chloe's relationship. The idea of ​​sacrificing such a beloved character was painful, but it also highlighted the game's central theme: how far are we willing to go to save someone we love?

Life is Strange: The Legacy of a Game of Choices

After nine years, Life is Strange continues to be remembered as one of the best narrative games of its generation. With deep characters, a captivating story, and choices that really matter, the game cemented its position in the gaming world. The franchise not only gained new installments, but also a prequel, Life is Strange: Before the Stormand a sequence, Life is Strange 2.

The latest release, Life is Strange: True Colorsbrought a new cast of characters and more emotional stakes, proving that the series still has a lot to offer. For those who never played or want to relive those thrilling moments, the original game and its successors are available in remastered versions, ready for a new generation of players. And honestly, who hasn't wanted to manipulate time to solve their problems?