Life is Strange 2 - Episode 1: Roads Reviews
Life Is Strange 2: Episode 1 – Roads has the same je ne sais quoi as its predecessor, but it's a different kind of game. This isn't a series about teenage angst anymore – it's about survival in a contemporary United States that's more hostile than it'd like to think it is. Larger, more detailed environments and inconclusive moral decisions that have a direct influence on key cast members make for an impressive, brave opening.
Starting virtually from scratch has allowed the developer to experiment and push themselves as storytellers, and the result is a more grounded and mature story that has real potential.
It starts badly for the characters, but very well for the players. It's a sad story for Sean and Daniel. And we already know with some sequences of this episode that Life is Strange 2 has a chance to be a successful heir to the first season, thanks to its unique atmosphere, well-written characters and some tough choices to make. Potential is here. It's clear DONTNOD has the power to fulfill it.
Review in French | Read full review
Episode one can be a slow burn at times, but it sets the tone for the rest of the series nicely. While not a continuation of its predecessor in any way, it stays true to the series while adding enough to make the formula feel engaging to the player. I'm looking forward to seeing where the new series goes.
This is an excellent start for the second season of a game with big shoes to fill. We may have lost Telltale Games forever, but you can dry your tears with Dontnod's big-hearted adventure of a story game.
While this is just one small moment in the whole of the first episode, to me it demonstrated just how far that Dontnod has come in delivering a story that truly speaks to the emotional and human drama that Life is Strange explores at its best.
Despite some questionable moments in the second episode, Life Is Strange 2 is off to an excellent start. Daniel and Sean's journey is a tough, racially-heated story that will draw you in, even as it breaks your heart.
Life is Strange 2 starts in the right gear, with a subtle change in direction to help tell an altogether new story, albeit with a few growing pains.
Life is Strange 2 sets up a very different story that cares a lot of the original game's strengths with it, and leaves some of its weaker points behind.
Life is Strange 2 excels on many levels but also has its evident flaws. Following the Diaz brothers through traumatic and unnecessary events will have you empathizing with their circumstances. However, Daniel's supernatural powers are a whole other conundrum.
Life is Strange 2 tells a brand new and almost independent story which focuses on teenagers' strange life, and Episode 1 is a good start. The dramatic beginning of episode 1 is shocking, and the characters are impressive. Choices are not as important as I wish, but the money management system greatly makes up those flaws.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Life is Strange 2 isn't re-writing DONTNOD's rulebook when it comes to gameplay, but the tale being told this time around is a far bigger statement than their last. And it's only just begun.
The first episode of Life is Strange 2 introduces us the brothers Daniel and Sean in a simple and effective way. You will feel emotionally attached to them in some way. Therefore, the story shows itself to be promising in this first episode. However, there are some problems regarding the technical performance. In addition, in this first episode there are no mechanics in the gameplay tied to the "power" of one of the brothers, which takes away the uniqueness of this series in relation to other adventure games. In the end though, we are looking forward to the second episode.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The first episode of Life is Strange 2 offers a variety of hard decisions you have to make. It contains mature events, well-written dialogues, and a world filled with details, characters and objects that you can interact with. In general, compared to previous sequel Life is Strange 2 shows a lot of improvements in all aspects and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Although Life is Strange 2 starts off really well, it could have been better in some ways. After experiencing the first episode I can already tell the path that Sean and his brother Daniel are facing is perhaps the most epic, emotional and hardest one ever pictured in the whole series. As of now we must only wait and see what other hardships will the two wolves be facing.
Review in Persian | Read full review
A beginning of a political and troubling story, with some “uncanny valley” animations and dark themes - Dontnod once again proving they are the top of this genre.
The first episode of Life is Strange 2 is impressive in both the small changes it makes to the formula of the original game, and the influences it allows from our current tumultuous news cycle. Though it may not bowl you over, it is certainly an excellent start to this new episodic series.
Verdict time! I can give this an 8/10. Yeah, why not. It was a good start to the second installment of the Life is Strange franchise and I am actually looking very optimistic about this game. Hopefully, it will not only keep up with this pace, but get even better. Life is strange 1 had this downfall of starting out strong and finishing as a tired horse … I really hope this isn’t the case for Life is Strange 2.
Life Is Strange 2 is everything a good sequel should be: It builds on what makes the first game great, establishes a thrilling new storyline and, ultimately, is far more comfortable taking risks. It still retains the first game’s issues, but this is ultimately a bold new step for Dontnod’s beloved franchise.