Synopsis: Life is Strange is an episodic, narrative adventure game which follows a teenager who can control time. The player is able to control time (and the consequences of their actions) through Max.
Who Should Play: While Life is Strange is a long game, it is one with a robust fan base and a good example of the complex storytelling video games are capable of. While it is not necessarily a game for beginners, it is not one that is difficult for beginners to learn. There are several sequels to the game and it’s a robust rabbit hole to fall down.
Made by: Dontnod Entertainment (Developer); Square Enix, Feral Interactive (Publishers)
Available on: Android, iOS, Mac OS, Microsoft, Playstation 4, Xbox One
Price: $8.99 – $19.99 (depending on platform)
Play time: 14 hours (There are subsequent episodes and games if you get into the story)
Questions:
- Life is Strange, at its core, asks the question “If I could how would I redo important moments in my life?” If you had this power, what would you do with it? How often would you use it. What moments of your life do you wish you had a redo button for?
- A lot of Life is Strange is about consequences. What decisions did you make in the game that had consequences that you were unhappy with and how did you change them?
- How did playing Life is Strange get you thinking about real world consequences, both large and small? In what ways did your experience of playing this game effect how you saw the real world, while you played?
- The game takes place during high school. To what extend do these narratives about redoing moments and consequences specifically map to your understanding of high school experiences?
- In what way did you relate to and empathize with Max, as the protagonist? Do you think you would have related to her less if you were not making her choices for her?
- This game preferences narrative over action or arcade style mechanics. To what extent did you feel like this narrative equaled one you might enjoy in a book or film? Did the experience feel more like a game or more like a story you were experiencing?
General Gaming Circle Questions:
- What did and didn’t you like about the game?
- How much time did you spend playing? Did you play all at once or break up your time?
- Did you play during other activities, or dedicate time solely to playing?
- Did the game feel like a waste of time? A good use of time? Explain.
Links & Walkthroughs:
• Official Website
• IGN (Walkthrough)
• Peabody Awards (Award Citation)
Play like a Feminist. 