She's really from rhe X-Men.
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Life is Strange | Spoiler Thread
- Thread starter Dr. Buni
- Start date
I'd agree if we were talking about the real world but in the case of Life is Strange it does seem like the universe in that game has a plan.
But again, that doesn't make any sense because if the real problem is Max using her time powers then going back and letting Chloe die would not fix anything. Max would still have used her time powers, going back and forth, "creating" alternate realities, etc. Going back in time AGAIN does not suddenly undo all the time-tampering she's already done. And even if it did, Max would probably still have her powers but she would not remember that she's not supposed to use them (not in between Chloe's murder and the day of her funeral) so she'd probably end up using them for something else, breaking the space-time continuum all over again.
That would've been an amazing finale.
Either you did everything right and the storm vanishes with her hate or you are at the cliff with her, choosing to let the town die, travel back in time and fix or to shoot her. Would obviously need a bit of tweaking in the mid part of the story, but I think it could work.
I chose to sacrifice Arcadia Bay.
I didn't ask for powers. I don't conjure up storms (no matter how much Warren the pseudo scientist might say otherwise). Storms don't magically atomise people within still-standing buildings (I'm looking at you, Two Whales diner).
I still feel guilty, obviously. If I knew that "sacrifice Arcadia Bay" meant "unambiguously kill everyone you've ever met there", I would've sacrificed Chloe.
I didn't ask for powers. I don't conjure up storms (no matter how much Warren the pseudo scientist might say otherwise). Storms don't magically atomise people within still-standing buildings (I'm looking at you, Two Whales diner).
I still feel guilty, obviously. If I knew that "sacrifice Arcadia Bay" meant "unambiguously kill everyone you've ever met there", I would've sacrificed Chloe.
I guess in the end it was good character development at least. She asks Max to let her die so the town, her mom, and stepfather can live. It's probably due to her adventures with Max that she isn't such a selfish punk anymore.
Just finished it. I think story-wise, no other game I have played this year comes close. As for the ending, it felt like sacrificing Chloe was the "right" choice, what with the game constantly nudging you about the storm/consequences of time travel. I was somewhat expecting there to be a huge plot twist regarding Rachel though.
I also did sacrifice Arcadia Bay.
Why did the universe give me the powers if not to save my best friend? Just to tell me to not use them? What friend would I be if I let Chloe die?
Yes, I agree. It's goodfor what it was and I understand that they were already straining the budget. I am just fooling sround with ideas that could've been awesome.
Just imagine how amazing it would be if all you did, not only the decisions directly connected to Chloe would've influenced her and made her a different person in episode 5 due you gameplay. In games your usually influence the player character into directions, but here it would not have a big effect on Max since she is only what you want at the moment, but rather influenced someone else. Imagine having the current Chloe in one gameplay. A desperate world burner in another who actively wants the town to die in another. Then someone who despises Max and so on and so on.
I also kind of hoped the storm strength differs from how many times and to how much extent you actually use your rewinding powers. That would make your choices pack more impact and have considerable weight to decide if you want to rewind. But well, with the game basically making you jump around madly after chapter 2? it is no longer relevant.
That's what I'm thinking. A whole LiS universe.
She knew it was David because he had texted her.
Manny Calavera
Member
It's clear on so many levels that sacrificing Chloe, while extremely heartbreaking is the right choice. The game is pushing you on that direction and that ending is just so much better made. Many players seem to know that as well seeing how many chose that ending looking at the percentages and reading the comments. Even though in their hearts many most likely like myself really wanted to save Chloe.
After the finale Life is Strange reminds me even more of Donnie Darko, Chloe escaping death and creating a parallel universe. I put rest to spoilers for those who haven't seen it.
Of course Donnie Darko has a giant bunny rabbit and Life is Strange has giant squirrels. I haven't seen the film for a while so not all the details are fresh in my mind. Great film, should see it again someday.
After the finale Life is Strange reminds me even more of Donnie Darko, Chloe escaping death and creating a parallel universe. I put rest to spoilers for those who haven't seen it.
In Donnie Darko he avoids certain death thus distorting space time and creating an alternate universe. This causes Donnie to be caught in a time loop, bit similar to Max. In the end there's a vortex approaching which remainded me of the storm in Life is Strange. Of course the movie is a lot more complicated than that and have a lot more details are variables and does have in many ways a different way of handling the story. But they have many similar themes like fate, loneliness and mortality.
Could someone offer me their perspective on the kiss for the Sacrifice Chloe ending? It felt a bit weird to me.
I can definitely see it coming from Max, for many reasons throughout the game, but more explicitly, we see in Episode 5 that Chloe making out with anyone is a nightmare for Max, that says a lot about her romantic feelings torwards Chloe, but I never got the same impression from Chloe. Their previous kiss was just a dumb dare she did to sound badass, and when Max took her up on her offer, she was really embarrassed about it.
You could make a case for it being more of a goodbye kiss than any romantic demonstration, but then why would you say goodbye to your best friend you love so dearly with something they were uncomfortable with? I don't buy it.
Also, wasn't Nathan the one who stole that totem once? I was expecting the Dark Room to be a Black Lodge thing basically because of Nathan's weird stuff. Stealing the totem, writing RACHEL IN THE DARK ROOM millions of times in such an amazingly disturbing manner and so on. But no matter, I got the Nightmare, I'm happy about that weird part because of it. Amazing through and through. I lost it when the Nightmare started.
Completely agree. I was expecting an ending a lot more tragic than the one we got for saving Chloe, I was expecting their relationship to be inevitably damaged, even if not completely destroyed, but they're good, and the town is surpisingly ok as well, a lot of people must have survived. Not that we care anyway, too busy driving around, woooo
Compared to the Sacrifice Chloe ending, the Save Chloe one really feels like "the alternative ending". Not really having a choice would be so much better :C
I can't recommend enough for at least people who got the Save Chloe ending to watch the other one as well. I think this is the first time I instantly went back to see the different outcome in a game like this. I usually deal with my choices, but this one felt unsatisfying, and not in the good "hurt my feelings" way, just as a story. I love tragic endings, but I don't love half assed ones.
"Life is... weird" got me like
I also think that, by making sacrificing Chloe the only way to escape the time loop, it would make the story more about letting go, dealing with loss and nature's inevitability (even though you have powers to alter time!), reather than "would you sacrifice many to save one?". It was still more complex than that, since we were the reason the tornado came to be in the first place, so it's not just about choosing between Chloe and the city, there's a lot more going on to it, but the save Chloe ending lacked that something to make you reflect on that, it was too indifferent.
I can definitely see it coming from Max, for many reasons throughout the game, but more explicitly, we see in Episode 5 that Chloe making out with anyone is a nightmare for Max, that says a lot about her romantic feelings torwards Chloe, but I never got the same impression from Chloe. Their previous kiss was just a dumb dare she did to sound badass, and when Max took her up on her offer, she was really embarrassed about it.
You could make a case for it being more of a goodbye kiss than any romantic demonstration, but then why would you say goodbye to your best friend you love so dearly with something they were uncomfortable with? I don't buy it.
Also, wasn't Nathan the one who stole that totem once? I was expecting the Dark Room to be a Black Lodge thing basically because of Nathan's weird stuff. Stealing the totem, writing RACHEL IN THE DARK ROOM millions of times in such an amazingly disturbing manner and so on. But no matter, I got the Nightmare, I'm happy about that weird part because of it. Amazing through and through. I lost it when the Nightmare started.
Completely agree. I was expecting an ending a lot more tragic than the one we got for saving Chloe, I was expecting their relationship to be inevitably damaged, even if not completely destroyed, but they're good, and the town is surpisingly ok as well, a lot of people must have survived. Not that we care anyway, too busy driving around, woooo
Compared to the Sacrifice Chloe ending, the Save Chloe one really feels like "the alternative ending". Not really having a choice would be so much better :C
I can't recommend enough for at least people who got the Save Chloe ending to watch the other one as well. I think this is the first time I instantly went back to see the different outcome in a game like this. I usually deal with my choices, but this one felt unsatisfying, and not in the good "hurt my feelings" way, just as a story. I love tragic endings, but I don't love half assed ones.
"Life is... weird" got me like
I also think that, by making sacrificing Chloe the only way to escape the time loop, it would make the story more about letting go, dealing with loss and nature's inevitability (even though you have powers to alter time!), reather than "would you sacrifice many to save one?". It was still more complex than that, since we were the reason the tornado came to be in the first place, so it's not just about choosing between Chloe and the city, there's a lot more going on to it, but the save Chloe ending lacked that something to make you reflect on that, it was too indifferent.
Episode 5 got a 6.5 from Polygon.
You could say Polarized has been... polarizing.
You could say Polarized has been... polarizing.
I'll show myself out.
I don't think it's the right choice at all. It may seem like the logical choice, but that doesn't make it the right one.
How many of you would sacrifice a beloved (if not the most loved) person in your life just to save some other people in real life? I don't think I could do that.
Also Max never asked for those powers or to make that choice in the end. She obviously got those powers to alter certain events in her life, so why not use them to save the person you love?
I don't think any choice in the end is right or wrong. It's more a choice of heart.
That has been really surprising to me, actually. As I said, the ending was also disappointing to me, but how can you rate it 6.5/10 after that Nightmare? SO. GOOD.
I was expecting more of the ending but less of the episode, I suppose, so the episode being really good made me love it more than I thought I would, even with the disappointing ending.
I also assume it has to do with how much you embraced the supernatural elements rather than thinking they got in the way of a regular teen drama. I loved both parts equally, and was afraid the supernatural would be underutilized when the Dark Room was surprisingly mundane, but Episode 5 hit many of the right notes to me.
It's different though because it's not the usual superhero situation of an inevitable evil and you have to make that choice, you don't leave Chloe and run to save the people from that natural tornado, you caused it, you're the one who caused their deaths if you choose Chloe, the one that was supposed to be dead already.
I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a right and wrong scenario, but it's definitely not as simple as "save the one you love vs the lives of many". It's one thing to not sacrifice the person you love to save others, but it's another thing to effectively kill others to save the one you love. Gives the sacrifice Chloe option a lot more merit that escapes from just "acting heroic", or "doing the right thing".
I also wouldn't say "she obviously got those powers to alter certain events in her life", it's not obvious at all, the game's world is far too believable for us to just take for granted that some higher power gave her this gift for a reason, it might as well not have any reason at all. Life doesn't always make sense or is fair.
Life is Strange 
Tribes of Trusty
Member
I was hoping so bad to have a golden ending route where you have to do everything right to save everyone...guess not.
I can't stress enough how much I loved the nightmare segment of the final episode. Best part of the game for me. The fact that your choices clearly showed in the nightmare, the art direction, everything was top notch.
Now if only Kojima and DONTNOD could partner for a horror game, that would be awesome.
War Peaceman
You're a big guy.
Wow I fucking ruined Frank
Killed his dog, shot him in the leg, told him about Rachel and the overdose.
Killed his dog, shot him in the leg, told him about Rachel and the overdose.
High five! I wonder if there's any hidden messages in the impossible dates of the texts you receive in the nightmare. That was so beautifully done, and when you see that the carvings change every time you look at them, how many times I looked at everything before moving on with that room, haha. The Black Lodge vibes were real. Actually, in a way it was more interesting than the Black Lodge. All it needed was meeting and talking to Rachel to seal the deal.
I also think Steins;Gate made it harder to me to accept the final choice. Way too binary for a situation involving way too many variables.
Fuck Kojima though, let Dontnod make a horror game by themselves
I'd love if it was still this mixture of fiction genre with regular drama, would make the characters much more compelling than just a 100% horror campaign.
It could also be amazing to do something in the vein of Fuan no Tane and have each episode be a short horror story. But it would probably make it harder to reuse assets.
But in the end, it doesn't even matter.
He's either dead or it never happened, anyway, it's alright.
RedSparrows
Member
It absolutely matters to Max, and to me as the player.
damn son. the dog was adorable. I was in the diner during the storm and sat down in my usual spot and the dog put his head on my leg. so cute!
To give you more time with Chloe. Without that Max would never have grown as a person like she did throughout the episodes.
Tribes of Trusty
Member
Joyce's text made me freak out. For a moment, I was expecting some bizarro development where people from alternate timelines would chase Prime Max who left alternate Maxes in kind of fucked up situations.
Also, that Pompidou text.
As much as I love Steins;Gate for different reasons, I find it unfair to compare the two of them. Sure, they are both dealing with time travel and their consequences (and frankly, it's hard not to think about Attractor Fields when (SPOILERS FOR BOTH LIFE IS STRANGE AND STEINS;GATE)
you compare Chloé's absence of death and the universe trying to kill her repeatedly and Mayuri always dying in the Alpha Attractor Field.
Fuck Kojima though, let Dontnod make a horror game by themselves
STORY BY DONTNOD
PRODUCED BY HIDEO KOJIMA
GAMEPLAY BY PLATINUM
MUSIC BY SYD MATTERS
PUBLISHED BY NINTENDO
Eh, I'd argue that if it mattered that much for you, you'd at least try to rewind and not kill the dog. I'm talking about ruining Frank specifically, not that choices in general don't matter. If you ruin Frank, that's because you didn't give a shit, that part is specifically designed to be a time travel puzzle to get the best possible outcome, or at least what you consider to be a good enough outcome. It's not like it requires save scamming, going back and changing decisions is part of the gameplay.
About alternate Maxes, I do think there was something to be explored about the whole "the real Max is back" thing, like exploring who that person who takes her place while she's gone is, philosophically. It's like her own Ms Scratch, who will meet her friends when she's gone
It was kinda wasted using a doppleganger just to antagonize her.
Not using this as criticism for the actual game, but it's fun to speculate about this kind of thing.
Oh, definitely, I just think
it's really unrealistic that Max would make such a choice without even trying other shit first. Even if it resulted in Chloe dying no matter what. In the end, it comes down to taking a step back from being Max, and acting as a director, choosing whichever ending you think would be more interesting.
DansGame
I'm also hoping for a Director's Cut later where they insert things they wanted originally.
Well, we also have to see if the sales justify that, right. I hope it's not the case, but it's possible they even regret giving them as much as they did, even if the current amount limited the story already.
I think the more realistic hope would be for the next game to be conceptually realized only after they know how much they'll be able to achieve, so they can plan the story around that instead of trying to fit as much as possible of the story they wanted with the budget they have.
Of course the best case scenario would be this game being a major success financially and S-E just giving them a ton of cash, but even if it's not, I want more stuff from that team, even if it has to be scaled back a bit.
A dev commentary thing or just talking about it would be nice as well.
Though it could also be painful to think about "what could have been". The actual game is really really good, so maybe not thinking too much about that can be for the best
It would be wonderful, although very surprising to see Square investing on something like this.
Well, we also have to see if the sales justify that, right. I hope it's not the case, but it's possible they even regret giving them as much as they did, even if the current amount limited the story already.
I think the more realistic hope would be for the next game to be conceptually realized only after they know how much they'll be able to achieve, so they can plan the story around that instead of trying to fit as much as possible of the story they wanted with the budget they have.
Of course the best case scenario would be this game being a major success financially and S-E just giving them a ton of cash, but even if it's not, I want more stuff from that team, even if it has to be scaled back a bit.
A dev commentary thing or just talking about it would be nice as well.
Though it could also be painful to think about "what could have been". The actual game is really really good, so maybe not thinking too much about that can be for the best
Life Is Strange is already considered a success in terms of sales, so I think it's safe to assume they would have at least the same budget. However, this was Dontnod's second game, which means that Square probably didn't want to risk much. Now, they have a profitable series with a great critical reception and probably awards at the end of this year. Dontnod is now in a position to negotiate more.
As for knowing what could have been, I don't think it would detract from what we got. But not knowing would also have its advantages, I can agree with that.
Jesus though, there's ways of doing that that don't involve giving teenagers potentially world-destroying time travel powers. That's just irresponsible.
War Peaceman
You're a big guy.
Yes, agreed. It happened. The cumulative experience matters even if it doesn't to the outcome. Which is actually the message of the game, I thought. Hence why the final decision is an obvious, though not easy, one.
The pompidou text was hilarious though!
Shocked at how much I enjoyed this game. Not my kind of game at all.
Very glad to know this. I hope that partnertship lasts long, then! Not only so Dontnod gets funded, but also because of S-E being the only ones who didn't ask them to change stuff, so it's their vision being funded and realized, even if with possible budget limitations.
And knowing what could have been, at least for me, also makes it hard to decide which one I'd consider canon. I guess I invested way too much time in Dark Souls, where everyone calls a character by a name they no longer have in the final version, because the way the story works in that game is one that even discarded content is relevant to understanding the world and characters.
Life is Strange is completely different narrative-wise, but some of that still applies, right. The bunkers being built by the Prescott family are still in the game, for example, so it would be hard to separate Nathan "knowing more than he should" from the Prescott family being prepared for major storms. It'll still feel like relevant info to the main plot, even if it was cut.
Speaking of knowing more than he should... I'm certain there's a lot of stuff we still don't know about Samuel, involving the totem and stuff.
infinit777
Member
Same xD
I'm just going to assume that the Universe (or whatever) whipped up the storm as a result of either Chloe not dying when she was supposed to, or the abuse of the power Max has gained, the latter being less likely.
The Storm is a product of something trying to right itself after an "inevitably" or fate was changed or averted. I feel like once the Storm has passed if you choose to sacrifice Arcadia Bay, the Universe considers the debt paid. The wrong was righted and what ever was knocked out of whack is back in place.
Max and Chloe can go about their lives normally after leaving town. The choice at the end was clear enough, one or the other, and the game gave me no other reason to believe they're going to be hunted across the country by killer Tornadoes, but you never know.
Just my opinion and all that.
The Storm is a product of something trying to right itself after an "inevitably" or fate was changed or averted. I feel like once the Storm has passed if you choose to sacrifice Arcadia Bay, the Universe considers the debt paid. The wrong was righted and what ever was knocked out of whack is back in place.
Max and Chloe can go about their lives normally after leaving town. The choice at the end was clear enough, one or the other, and the game gave me no other reason to believe they're going to be hunted across the country by killer Tornadoes, but you never know.
Just my opinion and all that.
One of the videos I posted before has an audio file from Chloe talking about the Tobanga. It probably had more meaning, yeah.
Eh, not really. The game makes a point about changing nature's course and messing with time, but a lot of people are disappointed with simple choices that don't necessarily involve time traveling. They're talking about the IMPORTANT CHOICE SCREEN choices, I assume.
I don't mind it myself, The Walking Dead Season 1 is still an incredible game as far as I'm concerned, but their complaint is perfectly valid. They're not missing the point.
It's been said before, but all of your choices DO matter to Max, the person you most likely care for the most, since you played her the whole time. A lot of the ending was about Max coming to terms with her looming adulthood. Probably one of the biggest lessons learned was the weight of choice; how one choice can create a ripple effect that can effect everyone in some way. Another pretty important take away for her is that as one person can make a difference (like Kate Marsh, and having the whole town get blown away). There is also loss of innocence explored here (I mean, her last name is 'Caulfield'), but I feel like I need to play episode 5 again, because I feel like I'd be forgetting something.
Could you elaborate on that? I don't think I get it.
Reference to the name of the protagonist in the classic coming of age story "The Catcher in the Rye."
Manny Calavera
Member
I mostly meant that the game wants you to sacrifice Chloe, from the game's point of view it's the "right choice". I feel they used so much more time on that ending than if you save Chloe. I don't mean it's necessarily right choice morally or right choice for Max. Also I don't think it's simply sacrificing someone you love to save the whole city. First of all Chloe was supposed to die in the beginning and she didn't so alternate universe was created. Both Max and Chloe knows this. Also Chloe want's to sacrifice herself to save her mom and even David. Plus Max have plenty of people in the town she cares for.. Kate, Warren, Joyce and so on. Well one thing is sure both endings are as sad and melancholy as they come.
Gbraga also had some good points before.
Cool, thanks, I'll check it out.
QuickSilverD
Member
Sounds like something Gaunter O'Dimm would do
(those who played Hearts of Stone will know what I'm talking about)
This is the thing that bother me most about the endingsTo let Chloe die though I had to use my powers.
In fact if the game wanted me to let Chloe die, it should never have given me the powers
Why does the universe cares about that? and if it does why does it has to be a dick about it?
It's a really great book, especially for those at that stage of life. It's entirely written in slang, though, so take that as you will. Max has a poster that references the book's cover in her dorm room.
Does it, though? I mean, it certainly didn't feel that way to me. After all, if you look at the statistics, there is a small difference between both choices. Throughout the last episode, they are referenced indirectly. In the place you can save the fisherman, there are two flyers. One that Max says "if we get out of this, Chloe..." (meaning they would go to that event) and the other about a sports event at Arcadia Bay that wasn't going to happen anymore because of the storm.
If you save Chloe, you can assume that they went to that event. If you save the town, the sports event happens. They kept presenting both choices in an equal manner and, while the Arcadia Bay ending is certainly longer, the other one just needed to be short and subtle.
You can argue that Chloe accepts her fate, but she also leaves the option for Max to decide and says she'll support any. And while you can definitely say that Chloe was supposed to die at the beginning, you can also say that this is about stop trying to fix the past and learning to live with the consequences.
I think what makes you lean towards either ending is your experience throughout the episodes and what you get out of it.
Makoto-Yuki
Banned
just finished it. sacrificed the bay to save chloe.
i need to process it but really enjoyable game overall. i wonder if there will be more LIS games.
i need to process it but really enjoyable game overall. i wonder if there will be more LIS games.
Pilgrimzero
Member
I am shocked at the amount of people that would sacrifice a town, including your friends and even Chloes mother.
You would think Chloe would be a bit more upset you sacrificed her mother and her step-father (who she came to realize was a good guy).
The blood on your hands is deep and dark.
You would think Chloe would be a bit more upset you sacrificed her mother and her step-father (who she came to realize was a good guy).
The blood on your hands is deep and dark.
TheBlackMarvel
Member
Well, five minutes before making the choice, Max accepts the fact that she's been selfish in her choices. People picking the "Save Chloe" ending are only doubling down on that.
RipperGrim
Member
I found it extremely out of character that hey would be fine with everyone dying, like Chloe's mom and literally everyone else. They should be mentally crushed and not at all happy, for them to be so accepting (especially Max) of the town being destroyed so they can be happy is basically murder in my eyes.
Sacrificing Chloe is what makes the most sense to me in term of the story that we've seen of the characters, Chloe's story is pretty damn tragic but she does get a redemptive arc at the end and not to mention the fucked up universe gets corrected as well (It's cliche as hell though) where if you sacrifice Arcadia who's to say if the universe still doesn't try and kill Chloe?
On another note, what is with the deer? I don't think that got properly explained if it did I missed it.
Hellwarden
Member
Despite what some might say, I would say the sacrifice Chloe option is the more hopeful of the two options. Because Max herself seems to accept it in the end, unlike the sacrifice the bay ending.
Life is Strange is an odd game in that some people seem to play it like they are Max, and others play it according to what they think Max would do. I tend to to view Max as a seperate person I'm influencing. With that in mind, Max clearly struggles with sacrificing Chloe in that ending, but she accepts it in the end. I don't get that sense of closure in the other ending, and I don't think that was a matter of that ending being cut down from its intended vision. I think that ending is how it's supposed to be thematically.
Life is Strange is an odd game in that some people seem to play it like they are Max, and others play it according to what they think Max would do. I tend to to view Max as a seperate person I'm influencing. With that in mind, Max clearly struggles with sacrificing Chloe in that ending, but she accepts it in the end. I don't get that sense of closure in the other ending, and I don't think that was a matter of that ending being cut down from its intended vision. I think that ending is how it's supposed to be thematically.
Much like Witcher 3 and the
, I feel like sacrificing chloe was the true point of the developers intentions. It kind of sucks that the other ending got the bit of the short stick, but hey what can you do.
Also, I just finished the finale for Tales From The Borderlands. My emotions.
Edit- to be clear, the Witcher doesn't share any similarities with LIS. It's more of a comment about the dichotomy of relationships in that game.
whole Yennifer deal
Also, I just finished the finale for Tales From The Borderlands. My emotions.
Edit- to be clear, the Witcher doesn't share any similarities with LIS. It's more of a comment about the dichotomy of relationships in that game.