Life is Strange - Episode 1

This game is genuinely one of the most beautiful games i've ever played with such an amazing story. The art style is so beautiful and delicate, it's like I'm looking at a beautiful watercolor painting wherever I look.. something I wish they kept in the newer games, It's so obvious this game is intentionally 'realistic' but still stylized... the new games completely ruin that style and Max and Chloe's story. Everyone needs to play this game at least once in their life.

Great story and characters, the last episode is truly one of the best pieces of media I've ever experienced. 5/5.

Amazing game! best i've seen in a while,and i love the twist ending! just enough choice so it doent feel like a visual story but instead it makes a hole new section!

one of the greatest stories ever told through the video game medium, and giving it an incredible soundtrack and unique art style is just unfair to any developer putting games out after 2015

Chloe Price is the name of the deuteragonist in this game, and I have owned a replica of her necklace for 7 years and I still wear it every day. That's how much love I have for this story.

This game is awesome. The time travel mechanic is really well balanced and used well in the story, the plot twist and mysteries keep you on the lookout for clues, and the choice based system always keeps you wondering what would've happened if you had chosen a different option. 10/10. I highly recommend this game :)

Had heard about this game but never had the chance to play it. The first episode was in my shared steam library with my friend so thought I'd give it a try. Never have been so hooked on a game before. Really fleshed out characters and incredible story.

One of the best game\movie I ever had, amazing plot and painting style

I played it on xbox when it first released, and bought it on pc to mess with a little. I think about this game every now and then, like when driving my car at sunset and the sun is on my left. A game that is able to give you memories like what I have, and enhance beautiful moments in your own life, is a rare gem. This game did just that for me.
It's a wonderful game. You shouldn't debate buying it.

I bought Life is Strange three times, spent a total of 50 hours in a game that takes 10 to complete 100%. I simply cannot put into words how much i love this masterpiece.
P.S. I also cannot put into words how much i hate Double Exposure.

Watch peoples die, rewind, do it again and again until you are satisfied, if not, you can still watch other peoples die.

I have played this game on every platform, even mobile and still one of the best story lines. Also screw Arcadia... Ride or Die

For me, this game isn't just a game; it's a pivotal piece of my personal history. I first played it as an early teen back in 2015, and honestly, it resonated with me on a level I wasn't expecting.

From the moment Max stepped back into Arcadia Bay and reunited with Chloe, I was completely captivated. The story, the atmosphere, the indie soundtrack – it all just clicked. Max's rewind ability wasn't just a cool mechanic; it was a way to explore consequences, to try different approaches to difficult conversations, and to truly empathize with the characters.

But what truly made Life is Strange special for me was the relationship between Max and Chloe. Their bond felt so real, so raw, and so deeply authentic. Watching their friendship evolve, seeing their vulnerabilities and strengths, and experiencing the undeniable connection they shared... it was incredibly powerful. As a young person figuring things out, seeing that kind of nuanced and heartfelt relationship explored in a game was incredibly validating. It genuinely helped me understand and embrace parts of myself, particularly my own identity as a lesbian. It showed me a kind of love and connection that felt true and meaningful, and for that, it will always hold a very, very dear spot in my heart. Looking back on it now, after all these years, I can admit that some of the writing might feel a bit "cringy" at times, but at the time, it felt absolutely perfect and resonated deeply.

Beyond the personal impact, the game itself is a masterclass in narrative choice and consequence. Every decision felt heavy, every conversation mattered, and the emotional stakes were always incredibly high. The world of Arcadia Bay, despite its underlying darkness, felt alive and full of characters you genuinely cared about.

Life is Strange isn't just a game about time travel; it's a story about friendship, love, difficult choices, and finding yourself. It's a beautiful, poignant, and unforgettable experience that I recommend to anyone looking for a game with heart and a story that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Listen, you may not know where the hell you are going in life. Life can be blinding blurry and really ugly. HOWEVER this tumblr poet girl with her 2013 polaroid cameria will make you feel alive, because in a way? You are her. You are her going through the motions of life, trying the best you can. You might feel numb, but you'll defintely feel alive in a ballerina lit-up way, once you press and say yes to "Save 1". 11/10. One of the best experiences ever. Don't dull the pain. Feel every second. Go to every poster. Wait in every sequence. Take the entirety of Arcadia Bay in.. <3

And you really are trying the best you can, you're breathing right?

played this game so many times and always will hold a special place for me in my heart, the weird nostalgic feeling and the heart ripping story my fav game EVER <3

Super fun, great plot twist and can play for hours.

Arcadia Bay: Where Time Breaks and Hearts Follow

I still remember it like it was yesterday — headphones on, lights off, that first soft guitar chord in the dorm hallway. Life is Strange didn't just pull me in — it swallowed me whole. I went in expecting a quirky time-travel indie. I left with my emotions in a blender and a strange ache for a town that doesn’t even exist.

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What I loved

This story hits hard — not with spectacle, but with sincerity. Max Caulfield’s time-rewind power isn’t just a cool mechanic, it’s a haunting metaphor for regret. What if you could change what you said? What if you could fix that one mistake? The game lets you try… and then makes you live with the consequences.

But the real core is Max and Chloe Price. That friendship — messy, fiery, real — feels more honest than most romances in games. It’s tender and broken in all the right ways. Every episode ended with me staring at the screen, wondering what kind of person I was becoming with the choices I made.

Visually? Dreamlike. A painterly filter over quiet moments, sunsets soaking into the pavement, that warm autumn gloom. And the soundtrack... god. Syd Matters, José González, Bright Eyes — every track feels like it was plucked from my teenage soul. I didn’t play this game. I lived in it.

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What could be better

Some of the writing tries a bit too hard to sound like teenagers. “Hella” this, “amazeballs” that — it’s charming in a cringe-inducing awkward way, but occasionally pulls you out of the moment. I got used to it, but it took an episode or two.

There are also some rough edges technically — texture pop-ins, audio sync hiccups, minor bugs. Nothing game-breaking, but enough to remind you it’s an indie title at its core. A bit more polish wouldn’t hurt, especially during key emotional scenes.

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How it plays

This isn’t an action game. It’s a narrative journey, a decision-driven experience where exploration and empathy matter more than reflexes. You walk, observe, talk, and choose — and then rewind when things go wrong (or feel wrong). The rewind mechanic is brilliant. It lets you experiment, but it doesn’t let you escape. There's no perfect timeline, just different shades of compromise.

The pace is slow, but intentionally so. Like walking through memories with a notebook and a Polaroid camera. There’s tension, but it’s emotional, not explosive — more about whether you’ll betray a friend than whether you’ll survive a firefight.

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Max’s powers and personality

Max is quiet, observant, and deeply unsure of herself. She’s not your typical protagonist — she doubts, hesitates, rewinds. Her photography obsession frames the whole game, literally and thematically. She sees the world in snapshots, trying to preserve moments before they slip away.

Her power to rewind time is both a blessing and a burden. You can fix things, yes… but what’s the cost? And when you can’t fix the one thing that truly matters? That’s when it breaks you.

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Performance on PC

You don’t need a beast to run this game. My mid-range laptop handled it just fine, even on higher settings. It’s built on Unreal Engine 3, so the visuals are stylized rather than high-end realistic, which keeps the system requirements friendly.

I had smooth performance overall — one crash in five episodes, a few weird animations here and there, but nothing that stopped progress. SSD recommended though — loading screens can feel long otherwise, especially when switching scenes frequently.

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Playing it on Steam Deck

Steam Deck compatibility: Playable

Tested it in handheld mode, and it holds up surprisingly well. I had to make a few tweaks — lower shadows, cap framerate to 40, and enable FSR — but after that, it played smooth and steady. Touch controls came in handy during menus, and battery life was reasonable (2.5 to 3 hours on medium brightness).

Some scenes had minor frame pacing stutters, especially in open areas like the campus. Nothing deal-breaking, but noticeable if you're sensitive to smoothness. Dialogues and time rewind worked without issue.

Steam Deck Experience: 8.7/10

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Final thoughts

Life is Strange isn't just a game. It's a diary of the choices you made, the people you loved, and the moments you wish you could take back. It lingers. Long after the credits, I still catch myself thinking, "Did I do the right thing?"

If you want gunfights, look elsewhere. But if you’re here for something raw, quiet, and achingly human — this is one of those rare titles that stays with you.

Final Score: 9.3/10

first 2 chapters are really boring but by the end of chapter 2/3 it REALLLYYYY picks up and i really reccomend it , if someone had told me that this was more of a 5 part tv show rather then a game i think id love it even more! its great anyhoo , had a lot of fun and kept me really entertained in those 14 hours

The first game since mass effect series where I just sat there and let the credits roll

A game that just might make you stop taking your life for granted and change the way you think about things

An absolute masterpiece of a game with relatable and memorable characters along with superior art design. Do yourself a favor and don't buy anything from dontnod/ decknine other than LiS Original and the prequel to it, LiS Before the Storm. Also buy only the original games not the broken PC port remastered ones! The devs went full coo coo with the stories and characters after these two games and most of their games are full of leftist political messages and crap and feels like made for a certain demographic.

I voted yes because I can't NOT vote this masterpiece negatively. In terms of story, characters, cinematography and music this game is truly unparalleled. In fact, I think it stands above ALL of fiction accross ALL media.
As a pure game it falls a bit short but I will say that yes, your choices very much DO matter!

Would I recommend it though? Not to everyone unconditionally. This game has emotionally affected me like no other piece of fiction ever has and now, after a week has passed, I am still recovering. This game has the potential to alter you as a human so much that I might say there's a life before and a life after 'Life is Strange'.
Not just because of the emotional impact is has, but also because it makes you reflect on your own life and life in general.

If you are going to play it, the less you know beforehand the better. I just wish someone had warned me before as this is NOT just a causal fun experience.

I would let the whole world fall apart, just to have one more second with you—because in the end, time means nothing if you’re not in it.

emotionally and mentally scarred forever, best game I've ever played

I always wanted to play Life is Strange since the release of it. After 10 years, I finally had the chance of playing it. Life is Strange is a great game with an amazing story along with a very powerful message and well-written characters, but is that really it? Not for me. This game brought me back in time (not literally), but it did bring me back when life was not that strange, rather simple yet joyful. It gave me back the excitement I pretty much lost in the last recent years of playing videogames and seeing what new content they had to offer, exactly what The Walking Dead by Telltale did back in the day. We used to have to wait for months (which a lot of people, including me, grew up with their games for pretty much half of our lifetime). The art style and music helped recreate the nostalgic feeling that was once given before, getting their inspiration from Telltale studio, while still keeping that unique touch it had (really loved the acoustic guitars). I am so glad I played Life is Strange right at this time of my life, since I feel like it was the best moment I've ever had of doing so. Now here I am, 10 years later, really thanking you DONTNOD for giving me back the enthusiasm of playing videogames, I will cherish this game forever.

Revisiting the store page before going into Double Exposure—eight years has passed, and I just realized how this game holds a space in my heart.

The soft watercolor palette, paired with one of the most moving and intimate soundtracks in gaming, paints over my memory like it happened yesterday. The storytelling is deeply human, weaving character, consequence, and atmosphere together with an impact that lingers long after. It captures that aching space between adolescence and adulthood, where one small moment feels like the whole world.

An emotional masterpiece that touched me deeply, a moving story, an emotional rollercoaster ride, a soundtrack that resonates for a long time, I won't forget this game.
The graphics look rather stylised, but that's what gives the game its unique charm. The emotions and small details of everyone on campus and in life create a very special atmosphere, sometimes melancholic, sometimes hopeful, but always beautiful.
The characters in the game are very well portrayed. For me, Max and Chloe and their friendship is at the heart of the game and I often found myself suffering, laughing and hoping with them.
If you like games that touch your heart, you shouldn't miss this journey.

Brilliant writing and producing . Incredible characters development , locations , atmosphere and music ofc . Best story game that i ever played . Buy it u will not regret it .

Life is Strange was the very first game I ever purchased on Steam. I had played Episode 1 on mobile during my childhood and always wanted to finish the full story. Unfortunately, I couldn’t buy the full version back then, but I never forgot about it. Finally, I got the chance to experience it completely. and it was worth the wait.

This game showed me how powerful choices can be. Every decision felt important, and I made each one seriously and thoughtfully. There were moments where I thought about restarting just to choose differently. but I didn’t. I stuck with my choices and accepted the consequences, no matter how hard they were.

The background songs were also amazing. they set the perfect mood and made every emotional moment hit even harder. The soundtrack truly brought the story to life.

In the end, I experienced a truly beautiful story. emotional, unforgettable, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

ho-ly SHlT!!!!!!!
The game went from 0 to 100 very quickly!

After 9 years I went back to my save file from 2016 and finally completed the game. It’s insanely well written with incredibly realistic characters.
LIS is a masterpiece that redefined storytelling in the gaming industry.
the featured music from Syd Matter is absolutely amazing! They capture each moment perfectly.

One of the best games of all time! :LIS_butterfly:
I really like how Warren never doubted Max about her time travel abilities and was even informed about it, I mean no surprise, he's a nerd!

This game actually blew me away. It exceeded my expectations in every possible way. 10000% would recommend to everyone.

I remember missing out playing this game when it was originally released, chucking it into my eternal backlog and honestly never thinking much about it. Recently I got recommended to try it by a friend's daughter and thought, is this like a "I'm 16 and this is deep" type of recommendation or is this game actually worth playing? She insisted and said it was her favorite game so I thought you know what, let me give her the benefit of the doubt and actually give it a look.

I'm very glad I did. I got instantly hooked, so much so I stopped playing on my PC and had to swap to continue playing through on my deck as soon as I finished the first episode. Why? Just so I can bring the game with me around the house and carry on playing of course. The story was really that gripping, better than a lot of movies, series or tv shows. Which if you're like me and thinking of trying this out on a handheld PC, this game runs amazing on the deck. I'm not even sure there's a reason it's not green verified checkmark. and for bonus points on deck, it's natively supported on Linux! Very well optimized as well, if you want to swap from handheld mode and hook it up to a 1080p monitor/tv it'll run with stable frame rates like a champ.

If you're worried the dialogue is gonna be cringey because of the characters being teenagers, I was too. There's some slang that's a bit dated but the best way I can put those worries to rest without spoiling anything in the game is that even now after finishing it in its entirety, I question if I would had been able to do things differently to how the characters approach these problem in a better way than they did. Even though I'm an adult instead. They're put in very real grounded scenarios that would be difficult for anyone of any age to face, let alone teenagers.

Honestly, if you're still on the fence, give the first episode a go, it's free! I think that you can get enough of a feel to know if you'll like it enough to continue. I started off critiqued my friend's daughter recommendation and after a 100% completion, I think I'd put it into my own favorites game list as well.

Absolute masterpiece. Amazing story, visuals, everything honestly. This gonna be my hyperfixation for months.

One of the most special games to me. Love the characters, the soundtrack, the aesthetic, the story :).

Great game mechanic for the story, love the story in general, and overall a pretty nice experience. Horrible on my first run with the story being focused on one thing, but I played it all the way through on my school night. Had a blast, and some emotions were out. xd

great game played the entire game on iOS many years ago still excited to play on PC for the first time

good game to decompress and enjoy the scenery

If you play this game all the way through and say its anything but perfect, dont chat me. Ever

How did people cry over a game where characters unironically say "epic fail"

simply Just awesome game i finished this game 8th times 4 times in mobile and 4 times in pc (cracked version) now for the 9th time i completed by purchasing the game and completed all the achievements MUST TRY GAME.... :)

(all episodes played) Feel everything, rewind nothing, and maybe cry at the main menu...

Should you buy this? If you want to emotionally spiral to soft indie guitar music while wondering why a dialogue choice from 30 minutes ago still haunts you, yes. And just yes.

10/10 twist made my jaw drop, and for the first time a game has almost made me cry.

I like this game because it communicates the title of the game through the games entire runtime.

Good game, story heavy. Amazing Music and ideal to wind down, relax and explore the world. Especially if you want to get all collectables. Loved it

🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚🦚 10/10

I knew this game existed for many years but it never actually caught my attention. Until recently. The game that actually grabbed me was ‘Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’. I may not be remembering it precisely but I think it was the recommended section at the bottom that led me to ‘Life is Strange’ again. The fact that it was made by the same studio, along with seeing how much the game was being praised, scattered my usual hesitation about buying a game. Also, I really needed a game to put me in the optimal state of mind before ‘Lost Records’ release. And it did indeed. 🙂
The overall story was way more dramatic and enticing than I had anticipated. Normally, I try to lower my expectations so I don’t get underwhelmed, especially for a highly praised game. This time, I didn’t even do that. Actually I forgot, but still, the game gave me a great experience. In fact, I’m on my second playthrough at the moment. Now, I may be exaggerating but I think this game has the second best story in the entire Steam.
The dialogue was captivating. It was clearly made by people who knew when to be serious, so there were no off-putting moments. It was also put together with care and passion. You almost feel this sense of being cared for as you immerse deeper and deeper.
The gameplay is set in a way that satisfies both the casual and those who want to delve in deeper by rewarding their extra efforts, instead of just punishing casuals. The more you interact and listen, the more intel you are going to get, which is going to enrich the story development.
Though the story of ‘Life is Strange’ would be great for many years, the game itself is clearly outdated. Which is a good thing. The entire playthrough was pleasantly stable. I think the lowest frame rate I got was 141. I believe I would’ve gotten it way much higher if I disabled Vsync. There were no bugs and certainly no crashes. The gameplay mechanics are simple, so it’s only the first few seconds that you are going to struggle a bit. Now, I did experience two minor glitches but since the checkpoints are very generous, the issue is of no concern in my opinion.

I’m writing this review after playing both ‘Life is Strange’ and ‘Lost Records’. In fact, I played the latter twice. “haha” 😅
Considering what I experienced through these two games, I’d say this year has shaped up to be cherishable for me. I know it’s too soon to say that but I’m not on defamation or anything like that so there you go. “hahahaha” 😀

It's been years since I played this and I don't remember the plot in detail.
But I do remember it made me feel many things.

This game is what endless episode games by Taletale wanted to be.
If you still have a bad taste in your mouth after those, try this.

Great story, characters, visuals, and overall just a great story-driven game. I would highly recommend it. After playing Life is Strange, you'll add Max Caulfield to your 'top video-game characters of all time' list.

My new favourite game!! If you are looking for heartfelt, slice of life and a fun game you should definitely play. Its about high school in 2013-2014 era. You will play as Max Caulfield, a very relatable female character.

I have a strong love for this game. My lovely girlfriend said that we should play it together, and we have been slowly for the last month, and its been so much fun. It this beautiful store, really about life, and the choices we make. The whole feel of the game, the music, aesthetic, the characters, and the story telling are all put together so well. Seriously brings me so much joy and love that I got to play this with someone that I see as my Chloe, or Max <3 Max is such a great character too. I love this game so much (:

I'm so happy that i finally got to play the game of my childhood. It feels so nostalgic. "Life is Strange" is one of the games where you don't need to prove yourself to others. There are no special skills required. This game provides an immersive, one - of - a - kind journey and you can make your own choices. Personally, I love these type of games where you can put yourself in character's shoes trying to figure out what kind of outcome/decision is the best taking into consideration your values/personality.

Playing Life is Strange felt like reconnecting with a forgotten part of myself. On behalf of my inner child, I want to say thank you — this game was truly a gift. The hand-painted style of the graphics, soft lighting, and dreamy atmosphere made every scene feel like a memory frozen in time. It brought me back to moments I thought were lost: the simplicity of youth, the weight of choices, and the quiet beauty in everyday life. Experiencing this story was like living a dream I didn’t know I needed. Thank you for reminding me how deeply a game can touch the heart.

I am replaying this game for the second time before I play the new double exposure version, this version of LIS is one of my favourite games, it is something that you wish you could forget just to experience the story again for the first time. The story is amazing and the fact that our decisions can have such significant impacts on the lives of characters just makes you more connected and invested into issues especially where they may be of a sensitive nature. The soundtrack is beautiful, with such relaxing and calming pieces such as the opening song " To All Of You", I still love this song so much. Lastly, the episodes are decent in length, I honestly never felt as if they were too short or too long they all finished off at the right places

Life is Strange is honestly such a rollercoaster and I loved every second of it. The story had me hooked from the very beginning and I got way too emotionally invested in the characters. You play as Max, this super artsy photography student who suddenly discovers she can rewind time, and things get wild real quick. Her friendship with Chloe is so chaotic and heartfelt and I felt everything they went through like it was happening to me.

The choices you make actually matter which is stressful in the best way. Every decision feels huge and the whole vibe of the game is moody, nostalgic, and a little bit dreamy. The music? So good. It sets the tone perfectly and made the emotional scenes hit even harder. I kept pausing just to vibe to the soundtrack.

It’s not just about the supernatural stuff either. It tackles real topics like grief, friendship, and growing up, and it does it in a way that feels super real. If you’re into story-driven games that make you feel something this is a must-play. 10/10 would time travel and cry again.