Game Discussion: Life Is Strange Episode 2 (Out Of Time) SPOILERS!

 

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 1 & 2 OF LIFE IS STRANGE as I'll be discussing the choices I made in the game and why. If you want to see a no/mild spoiler review (Click here) for episode 1 and for episode 2 (Click Here).

 Okay so this being a game of choices and how it effects the past present and future I will also talk about the continuation of my choices in the previous episode and how it effects my gameplay. If you want to check out the choices I made in episode 1 (Click here).

Major Choices.

1) You told Kate to Wait for proof

We first meet Kate in the showers where she asks us for a book we borrowed. Not much game play but we do have 'little task' to do like erase mean things written about Kate from the walls and talk to the girls around the dorm to stop watching Kate's video.

So this one went well... *sarcasm*

Cause of this choice Kate gets angry at Max and sarcastically thanks max for her help.  

Okay so as I mentioned in my the episode its kinda hard to trust any who is an adult figure in this game and with the fact the Prescott rule this town they will definitely have the police on their side and since there is not much proof about Nathan its just better for you to wait.

Author note: Now keep in mind this is a game and in reality if something similar were to happen to you please GO STRAIGHT TO THE POLICE or an authority figure you know you can trust as they will take your side whether or not you have proof. 

2) Answer Kate's phone call

I mentioned in my review the diner sequence was my favorite puzzle piece of the game. 

I don't get why Chloe was getting all up at Max for answering her call but it kinda annoyed me.

3)  Tried to shoot frank

As mentioned the bottle hunt was not my favorite game sequence in this episode but I love the train sequence after. Also its kinda stupid that Chloe keeps dying in the episode due to her carelessness. While i still love Chloe I get very annoyed with her in this part of the game. 

Just saying I let Max pull the trigger cause Frank scares the freaks out of me. We had to use all those bullet guns. At least the gun is in our inventory. 

4) Save Kate *PHEW*

Before the Jump we have a chance of helping Warren with his science project. I actually had fun with that 'side mission' and it was flipping cute seeing Warren being a mad scientist. Also talking to Principal Wells, David and Jefferson gave me a different side to each of them.

Never thought I'll see the day we have to talk someone from taking their life. Only in a video game... 

THIS WAS THE MOST INTENSE 20 MINUTE I'VE EVER PLAYED!

As mentioned looking around and paying attention to details trough the game will reward you and here if you play your cards right you can save Kate.  

I was so relief when I managed to talk Kate down no joke I sank back at my chair as the next cut scene played and like Max it was emotionally draining.

5) Blame... 

Rant time: I IN A HEARTBEAT BLAME JEFFERSON AS THE F*CKING JACKASS TEACHER COULD HAVE HELP KATE! BUT NOOOO HE HAD TO SAY SHE IS WANTING ATTENTION FROM THE VIDEO. AND HE ACCUSED MAX FOR NOT TAKING KATE PHONE AND BEING A GOOD FRIEND... EFF YOU PRETENTIOUS TEACHER! 

Okay rant over...

Yes I could have blame Nathan but 1) no bad blood and 2) his parents and yes I could have blame David since he literally was spying on Kate before she went back to the dorm but if you talk to him in the hallway (playing your cards right) he is not that bad of a jackass and does genuinely care and while he could have done something to help Kate instead of spying on her I think he is not the one at fault.

The one at fault is Jefferson as he was the last 'authority figure' that Kate went to before she attempt to jump. Now note that Kate is his student assistance so they have work closely together for a while so if she were to have any change in behavior Jefferson will be one of the first to noticed. Also there is something fishy about this guy and when you talk to him after his conversation with Kate and bring out Rachael he uses the word 'WAS'. Guys... I think i am glad I pointed my finger on Jefferson and I believe he have something to do with Rachael's disappearance. 

Long story short MR JEFFERSON YOU COULD HAVE SAVE KATE FROM GOING TO THE GIRL'S DORM but nope cause once again no one believes Kate causing this to be the last push to her attempt at suicide. 

Minor Choices

1) You watered your plant

Cause I'm a nice plant person and not watering Lisa in the previous episode made me feel bad.

2) Help Alyssa

Is this gonna be an on going thing where we stop Alyssa from getting hurt... and why so people throw stuff straight to her head?

3)Erased the link to Kate's video

All this little think counts to help stop the video from spreading more. Also fun fact, its an actual web domain that exist in our real world. Cool little Easter egg  

4) BFF with Taylor

Before I move on further can I just say if Life is Strange were to be made into a movie or a TV show I want Taylor Swift to play her! 

And yes I was friendly to her as like all the mean girls if you empatise with them they actually are not bad people. In face when she's not around Victoria she's actually kinda cool (There i said it)

5) Accept Warren invitation (As friends or more???)

I adore Warren though I am not sure if anyone saw him peeping trough the window to see if Max is up. I actually tried walking past him and it cuts the cut scene.

I accepted his invite as Warren did get a black eye in the previous episode for Max so what's a little movie fun will hurt.. I hope...

Not so sure what to think of the guy a if you speak to him later he'll say he's gonna cancel plans with brook and later in the science lab there is a gratify 'alyssa + warren'... is Warren a player???

6) Didn't write a message

To be honest what Chloe and Rachael had was special and I didn't want my Max to interfere.

7) You didn't tamper with the rails

Okay this was so confusing so I am not even gonna explain why I didn't tamper with the rails.

8) I'm Going to the Vortex Club party!!!

Okay of all of Victoria Minions Courtney is the least mean of them all though she is kinda pretentious.

9) Help Warren the Science guy

RANT: Okay random stupid question but if he is a smart science nerd why the heck does warren need Max's help especially since Max is not the science expert. Also why can't warren go and ask the teacher for help on the homework himself? oh wait its a game and nothing starts till your character swipes in to save the day. On the bright side we get to talk to Ms Grant again and she's my favorite adult a part from Joyce to talk to in the game. 

10) I told David to Jefferson and I kinda regret it 

I don't know if this was before or after we talk about Kate but after what went down in the principal office and it was game over for episode two I sank back in my chair going trough all the choices I made and facepalm myself for telling Jefferson about David.

Bonus Choice aka THE HARDEST CHOICE IN THE GAME

What to eat guys?! #TeamBaconOmelette or #TeamBelgianWaffles

TEAM BELGIAN WAFFLES AS I HELLA LOVE WAFFLES! 

Overall

This episode was a train wreck of a roller coaster. I'm just glad Kate's alive in my playtrough though am still very shaken by the choices and things we have to do in order to save her. Once again am satisfied with my choices.

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange (Source)

One thing I noticed about Max in this episode is her 'ability' to freeze that moment to buy her time to save Kate. The episode name is called Out of Time which is based on the term 'byte out of time photography' which is to 'freezing a moment in time' in photography.

Also as mentioned in my review, at the end credits of the episode the game creators added a 'TALK' section on the Life Is Strange website for anyone who have been affected or are going trough what was showed in the game in order to reach out to someone INTERNATIONALLY if you feel like you need help or you want to just talk it you.

Also if any of you guys want to talk to on what's bothering you or you just want to crap about life you can always write to me in the comments or find me on :

 or @rotanrm@gmail.com

Once again thanks to you guys for always listening me ramble about my thoughts on this blog.

Till Next Time

Happy Playing

Game Review: Life Is Strange Episode 2 (Out Of Time)

Title: Life Is Strange Episode  2 (Out Of Time)

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment

Publisher: Square-Enix

Genre: Episodic, Contemporary, Supernatural, Mystery, interactive drama, adventure

Platforms played: PC

Official Game Description (Source) :

Life Is Strange is a five part episodic game that sets out to revolutionise story based choice and consequence games by allowing the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future. 

You are Max, a photography senior who saves her old friend Chloe by discovering she can rewind time. The pair soon find themselves exposed to the darker side of Arcadia Bay as they uncover the disturbing truth behind the sudden disappearance of a fellow student.

Meanwhile, Max begins to have premonitions as she struggles to understand the implications of her power. She must quickly learn that changing the past can sometimes lead to a devastating future.

Features
• A beautifully written modern adventure game
• Rewind time to change the course of events.
• Multiple endings depending on the choices you make.
• Striking, hand-painted visuals
• Distinct, licensed indie soundtrack

Episode 2: Out of Time is an episode that hits hard on the emotions and as for me trigger some sad memories from my past especially since I went trough something similar to Kate months ago. The story takes a dark turn and raise awareness towards themes rarely seen in gaming from depression and bullying going as far as slut shaming and suicide. They don't sugar coat the situation and show the ugly truth of how your actions directly and indirectly will have consequences. 

The Plot

New episode means a new day!

Set the following day after Episode 1, we explores more of the town of Arcadia Bay in new locations like the Two Whales Dinner and the Junkyard while meeting new characters like Joyce Price and Frank while Max and Chloe test out the limit to Max's powers.

Meanwhile we learn the reason Kate, who has been in the subject of bullying in the last episode is because of a video of her at a Vortex Club party being drunk and kissing several guys at a party goes viral.

Game Play

I go more into detail about the main gameplay in Episode 1's (review here)

In this episode, the choices you made will snowball (for the better or the worst) and suits the games theme of affecting the 'past, present and future'.

Example, cause I didn't tell the principle about Nathan and comforted Victoria in Episode 1, they didn't trash Max's room and were actually 'nicer' to Max.

In this episode, the game rewards you for not only paying attention to your surrounding but also to detail as it will be helpful later in the game. Example is when you're in Kate's room there are letters, photos and emails you can read where you not only get more information on how the viral video is affecting her but also by paying attention to small details like cross out post it in a bible will help you later on in the game.

Another example is when you're in the Diner and your want to prove Chloe about your rewind powers, you not only have to look at the items but also its details like the exact change she has in her pockets to the time on her parking ticket.

While there are some cool 'side missions' like helping Warren with his Chemistry project, but there was this one mission involving Max going around a junkyard, looking for 5 freaking bottles. You can already guess that that's my least favorite quest.

This episode features a puzzle that was heavily shown in the trailer of Chloe being stuck on the railway tracks and it was INTENSE! Its like the bathroom puzzle in Episode 1 but longer as you have to look for some tools to free Chloe.

Favourite Mission: The Diner where you prove Chloe you have rewind power by Predicting the future. Not so sure how proves it but hey it convince her. 

Least Favourite Mission: LOOKING FOR 5 FREAKING BOTTLES! (RANT: AN ENCLOSE SPACE FOR A BOND FIRE??? ARE YOU HELLA KIDDING ME?? PEOPLE WILL DIE OF CARBON MONOXIDE !!! NO WONDER RACHAEL IS MISSING! Heck my Max almost die getting that last bottle!)

There are a couple more 'puzzles' i wanted to mention but are too spoilery so I'm gonna review it in my Game Discussion for this episode. If you want to know what I'm talking about its the last two major choices in the game and they were both FLIPPING intense and emotional. No joke when I was done with this episode I could not move on to episode 3 as my brain was drained and literally lay down for an hour staring at the ceiling pondering about life.

Characters

I talk more about most of the 'major characters' in my review for episode one aka the characters that  Max have a profile in her journal. In this episode the last two character profile are filled up with one that I love and another I hate.



I love Joyce and she's my favorite adult in the game. Strong and interdependent woman who is also Motherly, kind and hella sassy (now we know where Chloe get's that sass from). Like Chloe she's been trough a lot in the last five years but unlike Chloe she handles moving on better. Though some might question her marrying David just after William's death especially after what we saw in the last episode, I see this like asking around about Nathan or Rachael where they might see something that others don't. I love her relationship with Max where she's literally like a second mother to her. I feel bad for her relationship with Chloe as she genuinely does care and worry for her. Also I want to add that if you look around the Price's house in the last episode you'll know that they are actually behind on their bills so Chloe's rebellious mix with financial problems = one very worry and stress out Joyce.

Frank Bowers creeps the hell out of me! Yes he is a sketchy drug dealer but I think there is something about Rachael that he's hiding. 

I like the character development in this episode especially those that you developed a relationship in the previous episode. There are some characters I have some suspicion on *cough* JEFFERSON and some that I've grown to like like Dana and Warren. Mostly I like how we get to see a different side of some character I was not a fan of in the previous episode like David and Principal Wells.

Problem/Glitches

Episode two was probably the only episode I had no problem/ glitches in my gameplay even on high resolution (in my EP 1 AND EP 3 gameplay i had problems with interacting with some of the rooms and had to reduce the resolution to low). Good job dontnod.

Look/Sound

This episode we explore more of Arcadia Bay with the Two Whales Diner and Chloe's 'secret hide out' aka the junkyard. 

Okay so I've been to an actual diner when I was a kid called Anna Miller's and gosh that diner scene reminded me of that place. Also hands up if that diner scene made you hungry as I want Joyce's waffles and bacon after playing that scene (though I thank god had my coffee when I was playing that scene). Its so cool and old school on how the diner looks and even for Max it brings nostalgia to her childhood.

As mentioned I was not a fan of the bottle hunt in the junkyard but I did appreciate the environment. It reminds me of the environment of 'The Last Of Us' which even has its on tagline 'Wasteland beautiful' !

Once again the soundtrack of the game was spot on! I found some great song like Crosses by Jose Gonzalez to Something Good by Alt-J which all suited the mood of the situation Max was in.

Narrative/Writing 

BOOK RECOMMENDATION FOR OUT OF TIME

 

Okay so while writing this I am also reading All The Bright Places by Jeniffer Niven and if I were to compare this episode to any YA book it will be this along with Falling into Place by Amy Zhang and This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales. All of this books deal with suicide/ attempt suicide, bullying and depression in a honest way and have some sequence parallel to what's going on in this episode of Life is Strange.  Also like the episode they were an emotional roller coaster to follow.

I like the story in this episode as Max and Chloe not only learn more about Max's powers but we also see them reconcile their friendship, picking things up like five years have not change. Also we get to see more of other characters like Max's classmates, picking up based on decisions made in the previous episode. Like because I was nice to Victoria in the last episode her minions Taylor and Courtney were actually nicer to me. 

Mostly the story that hit me the hardest was the story of Kate. In the last episode we learn that Kate is Max's only girl friend since coming to Blackwell Academy and that something was bothering her. In this episode you as Max is to be that friend to her by helping her out and doing small task like erasing a weblink in the washroom to even answering Kate's call. All this little things add up and helps not only in the game but also in reality. I really like what they done to Kate's story and while I still don't understand why Kate of all the people at Blackwell was at a Vortex Club party, I do think this has a link to Rachael's disappearance. Even so what Kate went trough was unfortunate as no one in both a game and reality should go trough this. If one thing this game show was that if anything is bothering you, speak out to someone you can trust as it can really help.

Favorite Quote : I'm in a nightmare and I can't wake up (practically sums up what Kate is going trough)

Not gonna give my least favorite quote as I can't think of any but will update if I think of one

Overall this episode was well written and well balance with both bright and dark moments. This episode was filled with life and death situation not to mention a train wreck of emotions but still being a strong follow up to Episode one where its a solid and well rounded story yet leaves room for me to anticipate the next episode.

 Overall

Once again its hard to talk about the game without going into too much detail and I might have given out some mild spoilers for the game.

This episode impacted me in a way I have not felt in gaming in a long time and as mention is a game one needs to at least experience whether is watching a walktrough or playing the game yourself the narration of the story is beautifully done and deep and often got me to think of my own life.

A few months ago I went trough something similar to Kate where I was bullied for being an international student at my dorm both at the dorm and online. I am not going into details but if you want to hear my story and how I overcome it you can check out (Here).

At the end of the game when the credits was rolling they added a link on the Life Is Strange website (Link Here) where if anything that happens in the game that bothers you, they have listed hotlines and sites INTERNATIONALLY for you to talk it trough to someone. This moved me as little things in the game that makes me not only loves but respect the game more on where the narrative is going but also what the developers are doing in the gaming world.

We usually see such themes in books, movies or tv shows but in gaming this is a first I've ever experience such. I appreciate what the game has taken the narrative to and I can say this episode is an essential in not only as a game but as an experience.

If any of you guys are effected by what happened in this episode please reach out to someone and talk to them about your problems as it really will help lift your weight on your shoulders.

Also if any of you guys want to talk to on what's bothering you or you just want to crap about life you can always write to me in the comments or find me on :

 or @rotanrm@gmail.com


You are not alone. There's always someone out there willing to listen to you.

Also thanks to you guys for always listening me ramble about my thoughts on this blog.

Till Next Time

Happy Playing

Fun fact: Am writing this while downloading Episode 4!!! Excitedddd!! Episode 3 review and discussion should be up in a couple of days from this review but till then Episode 2 Discussion (SPOILER) should be up right NOW!

Book Review: A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird #1) by Claudia Gray

Goodreads description:

Every Day meets Cloud Atlas in this heart-racing, space- and time-bending, epic new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

Title: A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird #1)
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: Sci Fi, YA, Romance
Format:Paperback
Pages: 368 pages
Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Purchased from Popular Bookshop

Doctor Who parallel universe has gone to a whole new level! A thousand pieces of you was a well crafted, twisting adventure with one of the best love triangle romance I've read! I could not put the book down as I need to know what happen next and ended up breezing trough this within a day, though partly its because I was on a road trip so I had to read something or I'll go nuts sitting for 4+++ hours!

We follow Marguerite as she and Theo race across multiverse to find Paul, one of her parents protégée who destroyed her parents life work along with murdering Marguerite's father with the help of her mother's invention the 'Firebird'. They materialize into alternate versions of themselves, hoping to capture Paul and get their revenge. However things aren't not what it seem they got a hold of Paul and unravel the truth.

The plot was entertaining, twisting and epic! Its one of those plots where I had TRUST ISSUES with the characters and where the story was taking me. I love jumping trough the different dimension and see how they diverge from one another. The book started out slow for the first couple of chapters as its a lot of theory building to take in but after a while it was a breeze to read!

We explore futuristic London, 19th century Russia, an alternative reality of Home and a futuristic underwater world.

The world building is simple yet complex with the layers of parallel multiverses but also facts of science, history, art and pop culture and how different each universe is. There is a great air of mystery and gripping romance. I also like the pacing of the and how it jumps back and forth from the past to the present as we learn on the back story on Marguerite, her friends and family. Also the ending was a good solid ending as the book wrap up nicely.

I enjoyed the science aspect of the book and though I'm usually not a fan of history, the Russian history makes me want to learn more about it (which I eventually Wikipedia it). Also I love the Beatles pop culture references!

I enjoyed Marguerite narration and as a character! She's the odd one out of her family of scientist who has a passion for art, is intelligent, quick thinking and creative in her own way. Even so she tends to make some stupid decisions especially at the beginning of the book but is saved with her quick thinking.

Theo and Paul were great to read! Both are students of Marguerite's parents and are passionate about physics. Their personalities are similar yet different though we don't see it that much they have a very strong bromance. And yes I pictured/fan cast Will Poulter and Dylan O'brine as Paul and Theo as 1) I was still high with the maze runner movie when reading this book and 2) the book describes the characters (hipster and eyebrows) like them!!!

Theo who is flirty and confident and dresses like a hipster was fun to read! I enjoyed reading his character though I don't know why I never pick up clues about his BIG SECRET and odd behaviors till I re read the book.

Between the two i'll choose Paul specifically Russian Paul whom I melted at how caring and tender (i hate using that word as I associate with chickens and was laughing my heads off when i had to use said word for an essay the other day) he was to Meg. In fact he is my favorite character in the book and is one of the most complex characters of the cast.

The romance is the book is like me having trust issues! I don't know which guy (a part from Russian Paul) I like as both of them were hiding something from Marguerite so it took me a while to figure out which guy I ship her with. Probably one of the most unlikely love triangles I've read.

My favorite side character has to be Dr. Craine, Meg's dad. In fact I love the family aspect of the book.

Anyone play, heard or watch the video game Life Is Strange (Review Here)? I highly recommend this book (or if you read the book I recommend watch/play the game) as I find the concept slightly similar though Life is Strange has to do with time traveling while the book has to do with parallel universe traveling.

Life is strange is a consequence based driven game where the choices you make now will have a effect later which is a genre I'm seeing getting more and more popular with games like Beyond Two Souls and Telltale walking dead though not much in books.

I was getting that vibe when reading 'A Thousand Pieces of You' that some of the questionable choices Marguerite make in her parallel-self body now might come back to bite her in the future books with serious consequences. I really like how the book addresses the morals and ethics of parallel universe traveling and am interested on seeing how this plays out in the future books.

Overall this is a great solid first book in the series! Like everything is wrapped up in a nice little bow with no cliffhangers yet still makes me want to read more of the next book as I want to see the progress of the characters and their relationships. In fact this is a book I'll recommend to anyone who want's to get in to Sci-fi without being overwhelmed.

Also can't wait to read the sequel AND am drooling at the pretty cover!!!

I'll definitely be checking out Claudia Gray's other books (while waiting for the sequel) as her writing was very creative and brought my imagination to a whole new level.

This book has a spot on my favorite shelve and is one that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!