Life is Strange: Episode 2 - Out of Time Reviews
'Out of Time' is a step back for the burgeoning 'Life Is Strange'. I can't see the forest through the trees, so to speak, and this episode had some difficulty in keeping me interested. The first hour or so especially almost lost me. There are enough plot threads to warrant a mild interest for the next episode, but I hope we haven't already seen the best of what Dontnod has to offer.
Life Is Strange has a few more episodes to prove me wrong—and as always, I sure hope they do. They still have time, but unlike Max's, it's running out.
Life Is Strange: Episode 2 – Out of Time has an excellent ending, but it's letdown by pacing issues that make the events leading up to that point feel inconsequential. There are a lot of interesting and engaging elements working in this release's favour, but it's yet to really pull them all together in a fulfilling manner. In some ways, this is an improvement – the dialogue's better for a start – but it really needs to step up soon. To use a tired baseball analogy, it's had two strikes now – one more and it's out.
It's an improvement on episode one, but there's too much inane padding in Out of Time for it to warrant a hearty recommendation.
While Out of Time has a tendency to meander (like Max herself), it hits hard in its critical moments. This episode succeeds in that it's adept at creating sincere concern for most of the inhabitants of Life is Strange. That depth is appreciated, but Out of Time felt like a giant step to the side, as we aren't much further along than we were at the end of episode one.
While the second episode is flawed, I'm still invested in these characters and curious how things will turn out
In places, Life Is Strange utilizes familiar gestures toward unhurriedness, allowing the player to direct Max quickly to the obvious and clearly designated story/action waypoints, or to meander instead, examining objects and pursuing optional conversations. The moments in the second episode that truly stand out, however, are the ones where the game allows Max to just sit down, and, after a bit of not-great but not-awful internal monologue, just be where she is, as long as she and the player want.
Out of Time may not be as captivating as the first episode, but it leaves plenty to look forward to and answers just enough questions to ask a few more. Coupled with the painting art style, DONTNOD has created a rather lovely and intriguing picture. It's going to be hard to wait for May for the third episode.
Maybe at a more discounted price or if you just love a narrative but for these reasons it’s hard to see the series as anything more than okay. It hits the points it needs to, there just isn’t enough to elevate it beyond the basics.
With Life is Strange: Episode 2 - Out of Time, developer DONTNOD Entertainment has lessened the wow factor and upped its focus on development. Through this, some pacing issues are created, though the final product remains decent and has a few memorable moments up its sleeve.
If you played Episode 1, this is a must-play. If you're new to the series and still not sure, I'd say that five dollars a chapter is more than worth the price to give it a chance.
Life is Strange still suffers from some problematic dialogue and "gamey" sequences, but the emotional payoff is worth the effort.
Bad writing and VO hurt Life is Strange Episode 2, but an amazing ending makes it all worth it.
A Telltale-esque title set in suburban America that hints at maturity.
Complimented by an incredibly powerful ending that could have worked on its own as the season finale, even in only its second episode the tides are turning. Dark forces are on the horizon and new threats are appearing, yet Life is Strange is only growing brighter.
Life is Strange Episode 2 stumbles a bit in continuing the momentum it built up in the previous episode by introducing some needlessly mundane activities and slow story pacing, but the scenarios found near the end of the episode more than makes up for any missteps. It was great to see just how my choices affected the game till now and I look forward to unearthing more secrets in this fascinating experience.
Episode Two of Life is Strange really hooked me. I still want to know more about this world. I want to know why Max has her powers. I want to know why teenage girls are mysteriously disappearing. I want to know how the rich kids' families destroyed the town. I want to know how Max could possibly save the town from the impending tornado she keeps having visions of. I want to know more, because the game tugged at my heart strings, even though it simultaneously pressed my anger buttons. I supposed I could deal with a couple more hours of Bottle Finder 3000 if it means I get to see what happens next.
Life is Strange Episode 2 once again successfully ticks all the right boxes and creates a very interesting game driven by player choice and repercussions.
Dontnod Entertainment has a knack for keeping the flaws hidden in Life is Strange thanks to an engaging story. Even if pressing buttons in the right order or at the right time isn't your gaming 'thing', the Twin Peaks driven feel of the story will keep you coming back for more.
If this upward trend in quality continues then Life is Strange could be ending up on a few Game of the Year lists.