Life Is Strange 2 (2018 - 2019)

Life Is Strange 2 is the third entry in the episodic graphic adventure video games where the players' decisions determine the twists and turns in the story. This video game consists of five episodes of roughly four hours each that have been released between September 2018 and December 2019. The physical release also includes The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit based upon a side character of the main game. It's the same game genre but should rather be seen as a side quest that takes not more than two hours to complete.

The main story revolves around teenage brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz. A terrible series of misunderstandings leading to a deadly accident force the two brothers to run away from their home in Seattle right from the start. The older brother tries to guide his younger brother Daniel as the latter discovers that he has telekinetic powers. Throughout the story, the brothers will have the choice to use or not to use these powers which may lead to very different outcomes. This coming-of-age tale about family, forgiveness, friendship, hatred and love leads the duo through numerous challenges across the United States of America from Washington over Oregon, California and Nevada to Arizona.

This game convinces on a few levels. The story certainly has some philosophical depth as it's interesting to see the two lead characters grow through their challenges. The settings are particularly interesting from lush wildlife in Cascadia to the desert wasteland in Nevada and Arizona. The game's appeasing alternative pop and rock soundtrack is enchanting as usual. The game's finale certainly leaves an impression as well.

However, this game is not without its flaws. Due to the changing settings, the game doesn't have the same enigmatic atmosphere as its predecessors. The story line also offers few surprises and especially only plods along in the second, third and fourth episodes. Several episodes have unnecessary lengths that don't add anything to the characters or story. The repetitive wolf tales that the older brother tells the younger one are rather childish. Speaking of the two lead characters, I couldn't empathize as much with them as with the female characters from the two preceding games. Their actions, choices and motivations were at times very strange throughout the game to say the least.

This game could probably please empathic teenage boys more than anyone else. To be honest, this game offers more of the same to the franchise without leaving a significant mark. Unconditional fans can play this game without any regrets but occasional fans or newcomers can skip this release and should focus on the first release in the franchise instead.

Detailed rating:

Atmosphere: 7 / 10 

Challenge level: 6 /10

Controls: 7 / 10

Game flow: 7 /10

Graphics: 7 /10

Length: 9 /10

Long-term fun factor: 5 /10  

Sound: 7 /10

Soundtrack: 8 /10

Story: 6 /10

Total score: 69 / 100