Life is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized Reviews
Despite some minor setbacks, Polarized is a fantastic conclusion to Life is Strange and cements Dontnod's teen drama as a serious contender for Game of the Year.
We have a choice-based game that wants to redefine decision-making in games, but after Polarized ends we're left without the risk and reward and ultimately ends up minimizing both itself and its emotional impact.
'Polarized' is a fitting end to a strange game that has been reliably decent, with the occasional wondrous high and disappointing low. It uses a mix of storytelling techniques that have not been seen previously in the 'Life is Strange' series, but gets its message across to the audience. What precisely that message is, is up for the viewer to decide.
If you've been putting off a purchase to see how the complete package rates, then you should definitely get it. It might suffer a little from "Telltale False Choice" syndrome, but due to how emotionally invested you become with the kids at Blackwell Academy, I found myself actually feeling guilty about some choices that I was reminded about.
Life is Strange comes to its ultimate conclusion by asking players what's more important: one person or an entire town? This is an emotionally strong episode that's unfortunately padded out by sequences that justify its overall running time and reinforce that you're playing a game. Life is Strange was great as a whole, but there are missteps in this episode.
This final episode does some really interesting things, wraps up everything in an emotional way, and leaves me thinking about it even hours after seeing the final scene. If you haven't played through this game yet, do yourself a favor and do it. Hopefully, you'll feel the way I have throughout this adventure.
Those who have played the series from the beginning most likely saw that there was only one evitable ending to the whole thing, but it doesn't make the big reveal any less heartbreaking. DONTNOD may be a newcomer to the choice-based adventure genre, but they have made their presence known and they can give any other adventure game a run for its money. Polarized has solidified Life is Strange's spot as a frontrunner for best adventure game of the year.
Episode 5 is truly a culmination of the Life is Strange journey that provides a very satisfying ending to this really special game that must not be overlooked.
Over five episodes, Life is Strange has become more than another interactive drama - it's become one of the most interesting games in years.
Life is Strange fails to execute in critical spots, but it's beautiful world, fun time-reversal, and honest look at adolescence makes it a game worth remembering. A diamond in the rough.
Life is Strange is in its own category as a fiercely unique and moving series. Despite stumbles, it is poignant and moving, crafting excellent framing for some of the most difficult decisions and developing a memorable relationship between its protagonists. One of the best efforts of the year, unafraid and willing to take chances, and well-deserving of your time.
"Polarized" feels a lot like a dog chasing its tail. We're used to Life is Strange taking back its most extreme consequences, because up until now that's been the entire point of the game: to fix things. But this episode is so focused on that idea — fixing it — that we sort of lose everything in between here. And all those little details are what made me love the series to begin with.
Seen as a whole, my twelve-hour playthrough of Life is Strange has been a memorable one. The highest compliment I can give is that I felt like I spend quality time with Max, and the rest of the citizens of Arcadia Bay. Time that I would never rewind, but plan to revisit for sure.
Despite being marred by some dull gameplay at times, Life is Strange Episode 5: Polarized successfully pulls off what many other games have failed to do: delivering a satisfying ending to a player-driven, choice heavy game. There's no pleasing everyone, but the finale does allow players to see the payoff of their decisions and how their final choice impacts the world that they have been invested in for over five episodes. Max and Chloe have turned out to be a pretty memorable duo, and if this is the last game we ever see them in, then we're proud to report that they got the send off that they deserve.
This all sounds like a lot of harping on a series that I feel has been nearly brilliant up to this point, and one that I still recommend highly despite my feelings about its closing presentation. I recognize that not only is life strange, but so are expectations. Undoubtedly this will not meet some people's. "Polarized" indeed.
And that's about all I can say about Episode 5 without giving anything away. It's a great ending to a great game, and might possibly be called the best episode of the bunch. Episode 5 is the reason why you should buy Life is Strange if you haven't already, and it's the reason why you should hurry up and finish it if you already own it.
Life Is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized is an amazing final entry to the game as a whole making the entire game more than worth the price of admission.
Life is Strange went out with its emotional core beating strongly despite some of the same old gripes of the series lingering.
Don't get me wrong. Episode 5 is still good; it's still Life is Strange. I was just left with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth
TL;DR: Life Is Strange is really, really good.