My Opinions on Life Is Strange 2 (positive…)

Recently I found myself playing Life Is Strange two. I had played the first few episodes before, but I didn’t care to continue it nor did I remember much. I decided to replay it out of pure boredom, and I enjoyed it so much. I enjoyed it a lot more than I enjoyed the first game, which I found myself not really thinking about it afterwards. I finished the game, and immediately afterwards I wanted to play it again. The fact there was four different endings, choices, souvenirs, drawings and characters I didn’t get to interact with made me excited to play again. 

But aside from that, I started to wonder why exactly I preferred this game over the first LIS. After future reflection I believe it’s because I relate to it a lot more than the first one. I found it to be more realistic, and grounded. The endings were heartbreaking, and in the first game I didn’t really CARE about the choices because you end up choosing Chloe or The town anyway. The fact that you choose how you raise Daniel is so fun! It makes me put thought into my choices, and how I want to raise him. I like the fact there’s more endings that depend on the already mentioned things. I found the drawing gameplay pretty fun too. I never really considered myself a collector in games…but I want to go back and play it and get all the souvenirs and drawings!

I relate to Sean and Daniel. I myself, have an older brother with a similar age gap to the two wolf brothers. Though I’m Sean’s age now, I remember me and my brother having a very similar dynamic. The way the two brothers interact makes me feel a sense a familiarity, and it makes me care about what happens to them. I think the way Daniel is written is really sick. I know a lot of people don’t like the brothers simply because..they’re not Max and Chloe. Which, is so…stupid. But, regardless, I see a lot of my peers and family members in the characters. Finn, with some of the things he says, remind me of my boyfriend. (Which may be why I choose to romance him over Cassidy…love her tho.) Claire, who is so like my grandma it’s crazy!! Cassidy, who reminds me of my best friend, Esteban, who reminds me of my mother..being a single parent and having to deal with bigotry due to her skin color. Jacob, that one internet stranger I met, and I wanted to help, but couldn’t. Brody, who reminds me of all of my brothers, with a kind soul. And I see myself in so many of the characters and their different aspects. I think that’s beautiful. My brothers and mother have faced issues due to their heritage, and they’ve told me about that. It’s hard to imagine, but LIS2 made me remember those stories. It helped me see some of my family members and their stories in a different light..

I just really enjoyed lis2!! And I will be playing it again. I know it’s a lesser liked game for a multitude of reasons.. (but we’re not here to unpack all that!!) sure, the game has its flaws, as most do. It’s nowhere near perfect and a lot can be done to fix the pacing issues and a few other things. But it’s still a game I find myself thinking about, and a game that made me cry near almost episode. I hold family dear to me, and a game about family, will be held dear to me as well.