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! 

Game Discussion: Life Is Strange Episode 1 (Chrysalis) SPOILERS!

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 1 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).

So a part from the time rewinding mechanics and puzzle solving in the game one of the biggest thing about this game are the choices you make as whether big or small IT WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCE on the storyline. Unfortunately discussing the choices will involve a spoiling the game's content hence me making a separate 'review' where I discuss and reason why I choose such choice and also game play/ puzzle leading up to the choices.

Major Choices.

1) Hid the Truth

Leading up to our first major choice was the bathroom scene where we play around with Max's newly found rewind mechanics to break the fire alarm and save Chloe. This being the first major puzzle it took me a couple of trials of rewinding time but I eventually got the heck out of there only to encounter the security guard and the principal.

I went into playing this game wanting with as little 'bad blood' with Nathan. Yes the logical thing to do in reality is to tell the principal that Nathan was waving a gun but he'll accuse you that you don't have any evidence. Also when Max mentions that he smells of alcohol I'm like NOPE CAN'T TRUST HIM YET! So I hid the truth and it will probably come and bite me later.

2) Comforted Victoria

I like the puzzle of getting Victoria and her minions out of the dorm steps. This puzzle was filled with trial and error but I had fun playing it and getting some sweet revenge on the mean girls.

I choose to comfort her cause I'm a nice person and seeing Victoria's 'sad face' made me empathise her and her Cashmere Cardigan.

3) Intervene to help out Kate

A game where your mission is to free someone being lock FROM THE OUTSIDE of their room just to get a flash drive by going into the enemies conveniently unlocked room to print an email to proof Victoria is an evil BEACHHHHHHH and Dana's innocent to Julie ... only in Life Is Strange. I mentioned in my review that this is my least favorite mission and I in fact forgot that I was even there to get Warren's flash drive. Also can someone PLEASE explain how the heck can someone get lock from the outside especially in a dorm room so that I can prank some people in my dorm (muahahah!!! sorry RA).

I helped out Kate as I felt that taking a photo will be worthless and she's Max only other friend in the school. Also I could not seeing stand David harass Kate like that and in a gut instinct will stop the guy instead of taking a photo.

4) Hide from David

Exploring around Chloe's house was fun though bittersweet when Max starts thinking about her childhood and how things have change. While in the garage it was once again trial and error to get the 'tiny tools' but compare this to getting the flash drive I had more fun. Mostly I love getting to know more about Chloe this though girl on the outside but is actually sad and abondone in the inside.

Hiding from David had me in *PANIC* mood but was actually easier then I expected and managed to hide in one shot.

Okay I'm already on David's bad side twice and after seeing the files in the garage, I don't want to mess with that guy and get a third strike so *HIDE*. Also it kinda is Chloe's fault for smoking the Pot and for her attitude and in reality if i were to act like Chloe to my parents I'll get a hella worse response than a slap in the face.

Minor Choices

1) You let Daniel draw your portrait

Okay Max keeps saying how nice and sweet Daniel is but to be honest the kid creeps me out and I know a couple of guys in real life who act and talk like Daniel and (sorry guys) they too creep the heck out of me and my friends!

Storytime: okay there is this guy who used to live in my dorm and kinda has a thing for my friend who works on a cafe on campus used to (i kid you not) go to the cafe EVERY DAY MULTIPLE TIMES, stands at a corner and watch my friend as she makes coffee only placing an order if she's at the cash register. I seen this with my own eyes a couple of times (duh I need my caffeine fix) and seeing him stalking my friend creeps the heck out of me that I actually stop going to that cafe for a while.

Still I let Daniel draw as it got me more info about Rachael (in a creepy and fascinating sorta way) and there was no harm in saying yes... i hope.

2) You Sign Ms Grant Petition

Might come back to bite me later but if you later learn that David the security guard has a camera fetish. Also Ms Grant is the only teacher who is genuinely nice to Max and I wanted to stay on the good side. 

3) Help Alyssa

Okay so I did help her though I'll admit I rewind several times to see her getting hit by that football.  Also optional photo trophy reason.

4) Erase the insult on Kate's slate

Cause I'm a nice person... nuf said

5) I didn't water Lisa

 Cause I'm not a nice plant person... nuf said

6) I didn't touch Dana's pregnancy test.

Okay technically I did then I rewind time to talk to Dana about some 'rumors' going around. Also I like this part as she basically call out to the players for being overly snoopy.

7) I didn't reorganized Victoria photos 

Haha I actually 'reorganized' the photos to get that optional photo trophy but rewind as I didn't want any 'bad blood' Victoria especially after what happen in the front of the dorm. Cause I'm a nice person and Max is a Blackwell ninja who is good at stealth and leaves NO evidence!

8) Wrote on the RV

For optional photo trophy reason and cause it really was dirty.

9) Save the bird

Cause I'm a nice bird person though I kinda felt like an idiot as i didn't realize the bird was on the wardrobe after I rewind. Also for optional photo trophy reason which I miss out and have yet to replay that part. 

10) Didn't break Chloe's snow globe

Okay I accidentally broke it but when Chloe shouts 'Thanks for breaking my dad's snow globe' I was like SHIT *PRESS CTRL* and walk away.

11) I didn't leave any evidence

Cause Max's is a ninja! Though my Max manages to freeze them in mid air... *hide!!!*

12) Read David's files

And it was creepy! While I do think he might have 'good intention' this is down right stalker wrong!

Overall

I'm actually quiet satisfied with my decisions and yes I did rewind at some parts to see the multiple outcome but that's one thing I like mostly about the game is that along with Max's inner thoughts, it really makes you second guess on your choices before you move on.

I like how it rewards you with 'more knowledge' to use to your advantages when talking to some of the characters like after looking at Dana's pregnancy test, you can rewind and unlock a new dialog option, more things to snoop around in the room as well as maybe also a new friend. Also if you talk to Brook and rewind time, look at the box so that you can be a 'drone know it all' and you'll not only impress her but also she'll let you fly her drone (WHICH WAS FREAKING AWESOME AND MAKES ME WANT TO BE HER FRIEND... for the drone).

Some choices are like little pop quiz which takes trial and error like what's Juliet's full name. There is this 'pop quiz' that makes the game feel like trying too hard on being artsy like to name a photographer in order to look into Evan's portfolio which even with my brother playing the game with me who goes to an art school like Blackwell have no freaking clue!

Looking around and talking to the characters not only help you build some relationship/friendships but also get to see a different side some of the character. Take example David, the security guard and Chloe step dad where yes he has an obsession for security camera and takes his job too serious, while he might be doing some really wrong stuff like harassing Kate or being a step prick to Chloe, as I was walking around Chloe's house we learn not only suffers PTSD from his time in the army but he does genuinely care for Chloe's safety (listen to the voice message on the telephone downstairs) but does not know how to show it.

Another example is if you talk Max's classmate to Hayden he'll not only give you information about Rachael but also about Nathan'. Heck talking to almost everyone in this game seem to be good friends or likes Rachel... suspicious???

Alright so those are all the decisions I made in the game. If you played Life is Strange and did something that I did different let me know in the comments why. Also if you think I missed out or overlooked something let me know in the comments as well.

Happy Playing!!!