SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW
SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW
SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW
SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW
SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

This is one of the hardest games I've ever had to review. I both love it and have optimism for the future, while also finding it exceedingly frustrating and with some clear issues.

I found the story quite exciting with some amazing twists but they all seemingly lead nowhere? (Great start to a positive review but stick with me).
The only horror show for me was the optimisation, its about as missing from this game as chloe is. This game is only 3/4 years newer than LIS:TC and yet with the same PC I played that this required me to go on medium settings at nearly 60% render resolution (I could have gone on lowest settings but I wasn't a fan of the almost catastrophic way it looks).

But, the good now.
Max is Max, absolutely fantastic work with her character, really felt like she was the Max we've loved from LIS1 and I'm so glad with what they're offering us.
I found most of the side characters really interesting and although I think I didn't get to explore some of the depth of 2 particular characters due to part of me holding out for what I think most of us are I still found I got to experience a fun journey.
The power is fascination although a little frustrating that there are these "checkpoint" type deals that you use your power at rather than being able to use it freely.
The soundtrack is a banger as always and really had me feeling most of the emotional beats.

I think that based on the community reaction and what they've promised us at the end there will be a massive change in the way we see Max's journey and I think that we'll be seeing Chloe again. I think that the decision to not include Chloe in this was probably down to seeing that the community is very divided on Bay vs Bae and they wanted to please both sides but truly I think they've left a sour taste for both.

If we're looking at another 3/4 year wait till the next Life is Strange game then I really hope that the clearly dirty paws of upper management give them real time and resources as there was clearly some cost cutting moments noticed (The optimisation issues, random animations not working, a bit of a confused art style).

I think in terms of overall rank in the series I would place it at a personal 4th because of the delicious pie hidden under a slightly scruffy pastry. It has it's problems but for me it at least didn't leave me feeling like the game was a chore unlike a particular other game in the franchise. *cough* LIS2 *cough*

SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW This is one of the hardest games I've ever had to review. I both love it and have optimism for the future, while also finding it exceedingly frustrating and with some clear issues. I found the story quite exciting with some amazing twists but they all seemingly lead nowhere? (Great start to a positive review but stick with me). The only horror show for me was the optimisation, its about as missing from this game as chloe is. This game is only 3/4 years newer than LIS:TC and yet with the same PC I played that this required me to go on medium settings at nearly 60% render resolution (I could have gone on lowest settings but I wasn't a fan of the almost catastrophic way it looks). But, the good now. Max is Max, absolutely fantastic work with her character, really felt like she was the Max we've loved from LIS1 and I'm so glad with what they're offering us. I found most of the side characters really interesting and although I think I didn't get to explore some of the depth of 2 particular characters due to part of me holding out for what I think most of us are I still found I got to experience a fun journey. The power is fascination although a little frustrating that there are these "checkpoint" type deals that you use your power at rather than being able to use it freely. The soundtrack is a banger as always and really had me feeling most of the emotional beats. I think that based on the community reaction and what they've promised us at the end there will be a massive change in the way we see Max's journey and I think that we'll be seeing Chloe again. I think that the decision to not include Chloe in this was probably down to seeing that the community is very divided on Bay vs Bae and they wanted to please both sides but truly I think they've left a sour taste for both. If we're looking at another 3/4 year wait till the next Life is Strange game then I really hope that the clearly dirty paws of upper management give them real time and resources as there was clearly some cost cutting moments noticed (The optimisation issues, random animations not working, a bit of a confused art style). I think in terms of overall rank in the series I would place it at a personal 4th because of the delicious pie hidden under a slightly scruffy pastry. It has it's problems but for me it at least didn't leave me feeling like the game was a chore unlike a particular other game in the franchise. *cough* LIS2 *cough*