Life is Strange: Episode 1 - Chrysalis Reviews

Life is Strange: Episode 1 - Chrysalis is ranked in the 75th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
Feb 7, 2015

Life is Strange presents an interesting story and does well to flesh out its characters, regardless of their importance to the overall game. The many choices available to the player makes way for unexpected consequences that prove to be entertaining.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 13, 2015

If you're a fan of teenage dramas like Rushmore, Juno and The Breakfast Club and happen to also have a love for games like The Walking Dead, Beyond: Two Souls and Heavy Rain, this first episode is well worth your time. It's not a game that everyone will enjoy, despite it being easy for all to pick up but, for those it does click with, they won't be disappointed.

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84 / 100
Feb 10, 2015

Life is Strange elegantly meshes time-travelling with nostalgia-riddled teen drama, producing a sympathetic debut.

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8.3 / 10.0
Feb 2, 2015

With its unique story, impressive attention to detail, and cleverly implemented time-rewinding mechanic, Life is Strange is shaping up to be a great series.

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8 / 10
Jan 29, 2015

A wonderfully assured first episode, in what has the potential to outdo both Telltale Games and Quantic Dream in terms of successful video game storytelling.

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Jan 28, 2015

Life Is Strange offers a fresh take on video game storytelling, presenting the typically loaded concept of time travel in a more naturalistic light and exploring the labyrinthine choices of an unlikely everyday hero.

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8 / 10
Feb 2, 2015

Life Is Strange makes a strong start to its season, with the first episode introducing a number of interesting characters, and raising a number of questions that left me needing answers. The visuals paint a solid, and often beautiful world, and despite the occasional misstep in the dialogue or execution Dontnod have the beginnings of a worthy and memorable entry in the adventure game genre.

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Jan 31, 2015

Dontnod has done a fantastic job of not only introducing an interesting new world to explore in Life is Strange, but also an intriguing time-rewinding mechanic, and mysterious story that can only grow from here.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 4, 2015

Life is Strange is perhaps the best possible outcome for French developer Dontnod Entertainment after an interesting and flawed start as a developer

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Mar 6, 2015

Though it suffers from some cheesy dialog, the first episode of Life is Strange game is a solid introduction to an engaging series, and combines Telltale-like choice mechanics with the heart of Gone Home.

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Drew Leachman
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2015

Fans of the Telltale adventure games and people looking for something unique in terms of storytelling and mechanics should really give Life is Strange a shot. It sets up a decent premise and keeps the player invested for the 3 hour duration of the episode. I for one enjoyed what I played, even when the dialog became "too hip" for me. I say give it a shot. It most certainly is something very different.

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Feb 5, 2015

Life Is Strange's opening episode is a slow burner that leaves you with far more questions than answers, but the most important factor here is that we want to know the answers and will return to the series to find them.

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80 / 100
Feb 6, 2015

Life is Strange is presented in a package that, at first, might not seem like much, but once you delve into its world you'll see how much more it offers. With a $5 price tag, there's no reason to pass Life is Strange up. Unless, that is, you're aiming for the season's pass.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 3, 2015

Life is Strange's debut episode starts off strong, showing just enough of what it has to offer while cementing its characters and story firmly in its world. Though the journey only lasted 2-3 hours, it did enough during that time to make me excited for the episodes to come and it left me guessing what the consequences of my actions will be.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 30, 2015

But, by the end of Episode 1 of Life is Strange, the game at the very least also proves that life is filled with rewarding challenges and beautiful moments, even if they fade like a weathered old photograph.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 2, 2015

Life is Strange has simplicity to it that is driven by a strong and intriguing storyline. It's one of those titles that demands your attention, but doesn't ask too much from your gaming skills. Gamers may not like the lack of control and variety of gameplay, but the freedom to dictate the character and story might be enough to warrant a go.

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80%
Jan 29, 2015

Life is Strange Episode 1: Chrysalis is an engaging and enjoyable first instalment in what promises to be a compelling adventure series. If subsequent episodes can live up to what Dontnod has started, we're in for a treat.

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80%
Feb 20, 2015

A Telltale-esque title set in suburban America that hints at maturity.

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4 / 5.0
Feb 7, 2015

Although quite a short game, Life is Strange Episode 1 Chrysalis definitely brings a unique freshness to the gaming world and definitely gives a great twist and alternative to the Telltale Games. It has a very likeable character that when combined with the interesting gaming mechanics of time travel, it really makes you question the choices you make for Max that ended with me craving for more.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 2, 2015

Chrysalis, Life Is Strange's debut episode, introduces a fascinatingly weird tone where the ordinary is coupled with the bizarre.

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