This is one well-fucking-written game
Life is Strange | Spoiler Thread
- Thread starter Dr. Buni
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This is one well-fucking-written game
At this point it REALLY depends on the payoff at the end. How well will it come together? It could end in a trainwreck and ruin everyone's perception of it. I want to say I have confidence in their ability given the writing so far, but in writing the ending is the hardest part.
It definitely feels like they've written this stuff WELL in advance of its release to the point where people are gasping at how many references, clues and easter eggs they've managed to jam in here, as well as allowing for numerous theories about what's going on, who's doing what and where it's all going to end up. That's really the kind of thing mystery novel series do, and something other developers, TELLTALE, should look at and observe on how to do with a story in a game, particularly in this genre, because everything comes across as having genuine thought put into every thing you do.
Now, I wish the dialog and lip-syncing were a bit more on-point, but overall it's been an incredible ride so far. I kinda want to see that final loop though, before I decide if I should throw up or get back in line because the last thought of it was incredible.
I can't disagree with any of that. The proof will probably be in the pudding.
They could ruin the whole thing with a shitty cop-out ending. It could go full Mass Effect 3 on us.
But it seems to well conceived and complex, that I really doubt it will. Plus they've got the heritage of really good, similar stories (eg Donnie Darko, The Butterfly Effect, etc).
Jesus. The developers really want to drive the point home that Chloe is a dead duck, huh?
I feel like Chloe or Max is going to die to make things right. Or maybe they'll leave that up to us? Chloe's death might have triggered Max's powers, but she still used them. We don't know how often Max has rewound or gone back in time, so technically there might be a million Max's out there all trying to figure out how to make things right ala Bioshock Infinite. Maybe there is a Max or two out there that got "trapped in time" and lived a different life altogether.
The game is moreso about Chloe than it is Max, who is simply playing Guardian Angel throughout the whole thing. You're going through it trying to save her, trying to fix her life, see where it all went wrong, what she could've been/done, etc. We don't really have that about Max other than her being a moral compass for the player and the rest of the universe. She's average at best, we haven't seen her best, nor do we know if she's capable of it.
So at the end of the day I have to ask "Why is Max so important to this universe?" In a series that has been hell bent on swerving us by us ignoring context clues which allows them to do so, would it really be so surprising that Max dies in the end instead of Chloe?
there's a lot of Donnie Darko influence and if they do a similar ending to the film, I'm gonna be bummed out.
JehutyRunner
Banned
OH FUCK.
The Libertine
Member
I didn't even notice that. Like some people have already said on here, I would love a directors commentary after the season is over. I bet there are loads of things like this.
I think people are going to be sad about the ending of this game because it ended, because Max died, because Chloe died or because it sucked. Getting attached to a character to have them not pull through in the end isn't the worst thing in the world. It makes it more memorable that way.
so I had a theory that in ep 5 we'll be revisiting the entire game and altering everything again. basically see the events that went on without our other self seeing us. a bit cliché but I kinda like those moments in all time traveling storylines.
The Libertine
Member
I usually feel this way with movies. I get bored of most films ending with all characters getting their 'happily ever after', but with this game, I really want that. I think because I have been the person making the decisions and I am fully invested in these characters. Dontnod have done such a fantastic job.
I guess, but I've seen enough of those types of ending in games recently. played too many games where the ending is bittersweet or the main character dies. happy endings are actually pretty rare these days. whenever I set a happy ending in a game, I find it more refreshing and satisfying. it just doesn't happen that much anymore.
I just hope they don't pull a sudden cliffhanger for a sequel.
yea, I want them to be happy.
with time travel and alt dimensions, they could come up with something. altho I refuse to give them any ideas, lol
Forensic Scene
Member
Really cannot wait to see how Nathan and Jefferson are tied together on all this.
SuperSonic1305
Member
I knew I recognized them from somewhere. I just watched that film last year.
Jefferson is actually Nathan from the future!
Secret NG+ mode
The Real Life is Strange Starts Here!
One of the first responses Max can give in the game is "I used to know..." in response to Jefferson's question about the Daguerrian process.
New Game Plus would be the most perfect thing to happen to this game ever.
Spoilers for Donnie Darko and The Butterly Effect:
that's how both of those films end. The protagonists ultimately remove themselves from the timeline before the plot really began and save everyone else in the process.
I think they've said if they do a season 2 it'll be an entirely new cast.
The only way they can screw this up for me now is if they go with the ending which seems to be the most popular fan theory at the moment, Chloe having to die so the timeline is corrected, whether it be Max going back in time to let Nathan shoot Chloe or some other way. The whole sacrifice someone you love for the greater good thing is a bit tired and been done so many times before.
We know Chloe is on the clifftop with Max at night with the tornado about to hit the town as we see a brief shot of her grab Maxs' shoulder at the end of ep.1. We also know she still has the butterfly on a bucket pic in her jacket. If it ends with her handing the pic to Max who travels back to let Nathan shoot without giving me the choice, they've failed. I want the choice.
Also, does anyone know what effect erasing names from the party list in ep.3 has on the actual party in ep.4. I originally erased the names but changed my mind and rewound.
Feel like the closing bit of episode 5 will feature Max going back to the lighthouse and getting smushed, like her first blackout/dream.
Got to even out the timeline. A life for a life and all that.
Got to even out the timeline. A life for a life and all that.
I don't think there will be a sequel with the same characters like you say, maybe some hints to the Eco deal if season 2 takes place in the same universe/world.
The Libertine
Member
I can't see a sequel with these characters either.
I saw a theory video somewhere (it may have been on here), that the woman behind the diner is Max. They made some pretty good arguments for it. Although I am not sure I want older future versions of the characters to show up. I like the fact this series, although it has a sci-fi flavour to it, is still pretty grounded.
They already confirmed that, if there's a sequel, it won't feature the same characters.
I completely missed the homeless lady in my playthrough. didn't know until the choices stuff at the end. I watched a LP and someone made a joke that that was Max as well. I don't like that that theory at all.
The Libertine
Member
I don't think Max can go that far back or use them a lot without having severe consequences, like she did with William. The further back she goes, the worse the consequences. They seem to vary, but we don't know where they can go with them.
I think this is a plausible ending for this, but I'd rather them not pull that if it's used fairly often. I think in order to save Chloe, Max might have to change something that's going to end up being fatal to her or change something very important in her life. The tornado and all that I still think is because of the manipulation of timelines, but it'd still be cool if the tornado was some sort of rift between timelines.
Yeah, at first glance it could just be some stupid graffiti, but factor in all the time travel stuff that's a possibility. But I can't help but think there'd be a more efficient way of warning them...
QuickSilverD
Member
What I don't like of the whole Max has to allow Chloe to die to save the world theory is that it makes the entire story pointless, because Max got her powers when she tried to save Chloe the first time, so if she goes back to that time and avoids saving Chloe from Nathan, then what was the point of getting her power in the first place? had she never gotten the power at all then nothing would need to be done [assuming the tornado is somehow connected to Chloe]
indeed, If it ends up having to save the town is letting Chloe die right at the beginning again, that would be kinda lame.
From listening to their BAFTA talk, I'm fairly certain the ending is not going to be "do not use these powers that were given to you (and not sought after/invented by yourself) to change things". They talk a lot about the importance of the varying impact each choice you make has and how the the setting and characters' age fits well with how it's a time where you make choices that mold who you are.
It allows her to spend time with her past best friend before she dies, understand what she's going through and reconcile with her. It also lets her know that not all things should be changed and that her new found powers can have greatly different outcomes. She gets all the evidence she needs to stop Mr Jefferson plans, codes and location of the dark room. Like a superhero coming of age story.
chrominance
Member
How about:
At the end of episode 5, you get one last choice. You don't get to save Chloe from being shot by Nathan, but you DO get to go back in time and stop yourself from being estranged from Chloe when you move to Seattle. When you return to the present, you realize everything you lost by not staying in touch. Though Chloe is done, your memories of her will always remain. Your wall of Polaroids is full of shots of Chloe in happier times.
You pluck one from the wall and submit it to Jefferson as your Everyday Heroes photo.
LA FIN
that would be fitting. kudos to you.
except being estranged led to her being shot by nathan. if you aren't estranged, would chloe still be encountering nathan the same way? would it be the Car Crash life?
I wouldn't think so since in that reality William lives but Chloe has the car crash. In this time, he'd probably die but Chloe would avoid Frank and all the other bad shit that's happened.
I'm expecting a 3rd timeline if GAF's theories are true. I really hope it ends like that because it'd be such an excellent way to wrap things up.
I think another timeline is very much a possibility, but I don't know how good of an idea it might be. The tornado and all the weird occurances in Arcadia Bay I think have to do with the manipulation of time, and I still think it's possible for Max to have to remove herself and all the changes she's made to save everything.
I felt like LiS reminds me much more of the anime Steins;Gate than any other time travel series, it has a slow start with a rather ominous undertone that is kind of mysterious and then when shit hits the fan it hits the fan real hard, it has really dramatic and sad moments but also really good moments, and basically the main character has to go through all this shit to make things right, virtually by them self.
So I kind of feel like it could have a similar ending.
Steins;Gate spoilers
So I'm not really sure but I feel I can definitely see LiS going in a somewhat similar direction.
So I kind of feel like it could have a similar ending.
Steins;Gate spoilers
Okabe got stuck in a situation where regardless of which timeline he's in, someone close to him was going to die somehow, either the love interest or sibling-like best friend, as it turns out he was eventually given a solution by a version of himself from the "bad" future who had lived with the consequences and left him a message explaining how he can get to a new timeline, which involved going back through everything he had done and leaving behind hints or secretly helping himself out at important moments to guide him into the ideal position that would allow a new time to form where he could essentially save all those he cared about, and to prevent a future where time manipulation is used to fuck everything up.
So I'm not really sure but I feel I can definitely see LiS going in a somewhat similar direction.
Saw this really cool article posted by the co-producer Michael Koch on Venturebeat. It goes into what all went into the big scene with Frank.
http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/04/the-ridiculous-design-behind-a-key-scene-in-life-is-strange/
http://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Life-Is-Strange-Frank-flowchart.jpg
Absolutely crazy to see how the different outcomes are reached. There's an example of something having an effect that isn't "marked" by the butterfly; the knowledge about Frank rescuing the dogs that you get from the cop.
http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/04/the-ridiculous-design-behind-a-key-scene-in-life-is-strange/
http://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Life-Is-Strange-Frank-flowchart.jpg
Absolutely crazy to see how the different outcomes are reached. There's an example of something having an effect that isn't "marked" by the butterfly; the knowledge about Frank rescuing the dogs that you get from the cop.