The_Hitcher89
Member
I thought it was just a faint smile. One of being unhappy (as you would be surrounded by destruction and dead relatives), but not regretful. Not the time for a kiss, or a beaming smile imo.
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Life is Strange | Spoiler Thread
- Thread starter Dr. Buni
- Start date
Given how ridiculous the events of Episode 5 were up to that point, I hardly trusted the end choice options when they were presented to me.
Sacrifice Chloe/Sacrifice Arcadia Bay.
I absolutely chose to Sacrifice Arcadia Bay, because for the entire game I've had direct control over Chloe's well-being. I've saved her numerous times, and my Max fell in love with her over the course of the game.
I didn't really think that this choice would destroy the entire town of Arcadia Bay. I wasn't sold on it. I didn't think the game would have the balls to actually just end there, with you having effectively let an entire town be wiped out.
It felt like a very cruel choice. Why was I even given this power to begin with if the moral of the story is that I shouldn't use it? You spend one extra week with your best friend and you out Jefferson for the evil bastard he is. Whoop dee doo. Look, the people living in Arcadia Bay had MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME to gtfo. Anyone still in that town with what was going down was a moron to be humble.
Chloe claims that she'll always have these memories with you, in the alternate timeline, but in the game's logic, she'll die in a bathroom after having her friend murdered and never finding out what happened to her. Screw that.
The argument that this is a real-world moral quandary, wherein the the lives of the many are more important than the lives of the few or the one (thanks Mr. Spock), doesn't really sway me here, because hey, this is a video game. And guess what, in a video game I don't have to heed morality as I would in a real-life situation.
Even then, in a real-life situation I'm not sure I could passively murder a person I'm in love with, when I'm not even convinced doing so will save this town of people. Now that I've finished the game, and the decisions are black and white, you can make the moral argument. But in the moment, when you don't have all of the answers, and your loved one puts the decision in your hands...love wins for me.
Sacrifice Chloe/Sacrifice Arcadia Bay.
I absolutely chose to Sacrifice Arcadia Bay, because for the entire game I've had direct control over Chloe's well-being. I've saved her numerous times, and my Max fell in love with her over the course of the game.
I didn't really think that this choice would destroy the entire town of Arcadia Bay. I wasn't sold on it. I didn't think the game would have the balls to actually just end there, with you having effectively let an entire town be wiped out.
It felt like a very cruel choice. Why was I even given this power to begin with if the moral of the story is that I shouldn't use it? You spend one extra week with your best friend and you out Jefferson for the evil bastard he is. Whoop dee doo. Look, the people living in Arcadia Bay had MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME to gtfo. Anyone still in that town with what was going down was a moron to be humble.
Chloe claims that she'll always have these memories with you, in the alternate timeline, but in the game's logic, she'll die in a bathroom after having her friend murdered and never finding out what happened to her. Screw that.
The argument that this is a real-world moral quandary, wherein the the lives of the many are more important than the lives of the few or the one (thanks Mr. Spock), doesn't really sway me here, because hey, this is a video game. And guess what, in a video game I don't have to heed morality as I would in a real-life situation.
Even then, in a real-life situation I'm not sure I could passively murder a person I'm in love with, when I'm not even convinced doing so will save this town of people. Now that I've finished the game, and the decisions are black and white, you can make the moral argument. But in the moment, when you don't have all of the answers, and your loved one puts the decision in your hands...love wins for me.
nikos
Member
Yeah, I'm one of the current 6% who just walked away. She didn't seem like the type to kiss him. Maybe a hug, but not really.
WrenchNinja
Member
I knew I called it. Well I was wrong about them coming up with a reasonable explanation.
A hug is appropriate. Whatever weird obsession Warren may have, he was there for Max when she needed him. Kissing him and ignoring him are two opposite ends of a spectrum, with hugging being just right.
legendaryskitch
Member
Same here, Warren is lame. Screw that dude
petethepanda
Member
I could feel my heart tearing out as soon as it became obvious that would happen. I hoped they'd at least have a moment.
And man, I figured we'd be in store for some time travel shenanigans, but I had no fucking idea what the game would become when I first finished episode one. This was so good.
chrominance
Member
I did this too. I couldn't not hug him.
In general, it seemed obvious that Sacrifice Chloe is the closest thing to a "canonical" ending, especially given how complete it is versus Sacrifice Arcadia Bay. I still wish more development had been spent on the other ending, though, because it felt more right in a few crucial ways. Though that said, it does feel like the story is robust enough to support either option pretty well.
(so for sure there is no third ending, right?)
Manny Calavera
Member
Some people seem to be bothered they didn't explain enough things, but I think I prefer it that way. They really didn't explain anything in detail in Donnie Darko either (Well they did explain a bit more in the Directors Cut, but I think it only lessens the impact of the film), one of the big influences of the game. I don't think it's important to know where Max got her power. They let the players to draw their own conclucions. This was a game about Max and her growth as a person and how she affected people around her. And Chloe and their friendship.
The_Inquisitor
Member
What a roller coaster. Had no idea they made Remember Me, which I also really liked.
Looking forward to their next entry.
Looking forward to their next entry.
Where's my "I don't like you Warren, go fuck drone-girl, she wants your dick bad, you somewhat creepy dork" dialog choice
Muskieratboi
Member
Ridiculous conincidence:
Chloe is voiced by Ashly Burch.
Ashly's brother is the head Writer for Borderlands.
Tales From the Borderlands finishes today.
Also, The finale of a huge tale about the ramifications of time travel hit just before BTTFday.
Can someone take these coincidences and turn it into a half life 3 confirmation?
Chloe is voiced by Ashly Burch.
Ashly's brother is the head Writer for Borderlands.
Tales From the Borderlands finishes today.
Also, The finale of a huge tale about the ramifications of time travel hit just before BTTFday.
Can someone take these coincidences and turn it into a half life 3 confirmation?
The_Inquisitor
Member
Ridiculous conincidence:
Chloe is voiced by Ashly Burch.
Ashly's brother is the head Writer for Borderlands.
Tales From the Borderlands finishes today.
Also, The finale of a huge tale about the ramifications of time travel hit just before BTTFday.
Can someone take these coincidences and turn it into a half life 3 confirmation?
That would be hella wrong.
After how the entire game was about saving Chloe up to that point, I also saved Chloe in the ending. The other ending is so incredibly sad and even though it seems like the "real" ending, I just couldn't do it. Yes, people in Acadia Bay will die, but throughout the entire game, most people there haven't exactly been great people either.
I'm sure Frank would rather be dead after finding out he sold Nathan the drug that killed Rachel, David is safe in the Dark Room and Warren and Joyce... well that sucks, but that's just them vs Chloe. Kate should be safe off in the hospital, too.
It just felt like saving Chloe was the only way I could personally stomach the entire game. Sacrificing her = spending the rest of the game just bawlin' and especially with what Chloe told Max about this week having been the best week of her life, I didn't want her to die with everyone just remembering her at her worst time/behaviour and without ever having met Max again.
Saving Chloe = all that happened in the game was "real" and not just something "Max had to learn to cope with". Because... fuck the evil spirits for giving her that power only to make her use it and then regret and reverse ever having done so.
Fortinbras
Member
No. I did the same in my playthrough and got the kiss for the sacrifice Chloe ending.
Ultimadrago
Member
THOSE WERE MY BEANS!
Man, that part, was hi-fucking-larious. Anyone else mess up Frank with beans?
Man, that part, was hi-fucking-larious. Anyone else mess up Frank with beans?
The_Inquisitor
Member
Dog text was hilarious.
guybrushfreeman
Unconfirmed Member
Sacrifice Chloe ending was the obvious real ending to me. I suppose there's power in giving the player the choice but it was clear neither of them could really live having destroyed the town.
To me the story uses to time travel mechanic to describe accepting loss and tragic circumstances. Chloe always died at that time and we explore the beautiful things that could of have been but also the need to accept reality.
I really loved it. I think it's a classic time travel story and well told tragedy. Player choice can feel heavy handed but I think there's power in having it there, even it it sometimes feels a bit much.
Jangowuzhere
Banned
I don't really care if they explain anything.
I just wish the final episode had more to say. You're jumping between timelines and going through crazy nightmares, but it doesn't amount to much. It all simply feels like padding. It doesn't feel like it adds anything to the characters or story.
Heck, the most important character in the entire story is barely in the final episode. It would be more interesting to spend time with Chloe instead of traveling through needless timelines and P.T. rooms.
My issue with the sacrifice Chloe ending is that it nullifies the entire time travel thing. Like why? Why the whole game? She wouldn't have HAD to live with the consequences if she hadn't gotten the power to begin with. If I punch someone in the face and kill their family if she punches me back because "she needs to learn to live with consequences", I still punched her first for no reason.
This way she gets all these amazing memories with Chloe only to then have to fault herself for the rest of her live that she could've saved her? Doesn't seem fair to me.
And I don't think she owes Acadia Bay anything.
This way she gets all these amazing memories with Chloe only to then have to fault herself for the rest of her live that she could've saved her? Doesn't seem fair to me.
And I don't think she owes Acadia Bay anything.
The_Inquisitor
Member
The end very much reminds me of a game/anime called Stein's Gate. If you enjoyed LiS you should check that out.
I get a peculiar feeling that though I killed Chloe to save the town I was admitting that our destiny is set, which is almost an admission we lack free will. On the other hand if you take the Arcadia Bay side it's a belief that we do have a choice in our life decisions, but at the same time must also face the consequences.
I need to think more about this as I lay in bed.
I get a peculiar feeling that though I killed Chloe to save the town I was admitting that our destiny is set, which is almost an admission we lack free will. On the other hand if you take the Arcadia Bay side it's a belief that we do have a choice in our life decisions, but at the same time must also face the consequences.
I need to think more about this as I lay in bed.
My least favorite episode... I knew this ending was gonna happen, but I was just hoping it wouldn't.
So when I got to the end and it didn't really matter, it kinda took all the wind from my sails. Other people have said it's the journey, and that's fine and all, but the ending will stay with me more sadly. I wasn't a fan of Chloe from episode two to episode four, so killing her was pretty easy.
The nightmare sequence was just bizarre. Since it keeps trying to get you emotionally invested in Chloe and remind you of your time with her... it didn't work on me. I just kept hoping I could get to some twist or message from Rachel.
I wish Mr. Jefferson's violent/aggressive attitude was shown somewhere vocally. Honestly though you only see if after you get someone suspended (Nathan, Mr. J, or David) and him and the principle are talking. It's extremely subtle and I just wish he would have raised his voice somewhere. Otherwise his abusive tendencies just seemed to come from no where unless you re-read some of his texts/notes to Nathan. Then they kinda make sense, but even still... would have liked a little more.
Happy that Dave saved us, I called it in episode four, but was nice to see him go to those lengths. Just wish I hadn't gotten him shot like eight times.
So when I got to the end and it didn't really matter, it kinda took all the wind from my sails. Other people have said it's the journey, and that's fine and all, but the ending will stay with me more sadly. I wasn't a fan of Chloe from episode two to episode four, so killing her was pretty easy.
The nightmare sequence was just bizarre. Since it keeps trying to get you emotionally invested in Chloe and remind you of your time with her... it didn't work on me. I just kept hoping I could get to some twist or message from Rachel.
I wish Mr. Jefferson's violent/aggressive attitude was shown somewhere vocally. Honestly though you only see if after you get someone suspended (Nathan, Mr. J, or David) and him and the principle are talking. It's extremely subtle and I just wish he would have raised his voice somewhere. Otherwise his abusive tendencies just seemed to come from no where unless you re-read some of his texts/notes to Nathan. Then they kinda make sense, but even still... would have liked a little more.
Happy that Dave saved us, I called it in episode four, but was nice to see him go to those lengths. Just wish I hadn't gotten him shot like eight times.
sammyCYBORG
Member
Totally agree.
Manny Calavera
Member
What you said makes a lot of sense and I also said earlier that the episode "was at parts all over the place", but for me the episode worked because the ending completed the story so well on an emotional level. There was a lot of going on in the final episode and maybe some of it was unnecessary, but I appreciated the nightmares as a fan of surrealism and they seemed genuinely creepy and was thrill to see Max and all the characters in all these weird scenarios. Also all the strange things made the episode seem different from the rest, but still you are making some valid points.
The_Inquisitor
Member
I knew early on the teacher was the true villain. Did not call the dark room savior. Got him shot about 10 times before I saw the cord lol.
IceDoesntHelp
Banned
Fuck Arcadia Bay.
That's what I say, and I regret nothing.
Didn't feel emotional at all though to me.
Also, I like episode 4 more than 5. It was still great, but 4 was fantastic in my mind.
That's what I say, and I regret nothing.
Didn't feel emotional at all though to me.
Also, I like episode 4 more than 5. It was still great, but 4 was fantastic in my mind.
NumberThree
Member
I don't think Max did anything with her knowledge in the final timeline (in the Chloe sacrifice ending). Nathan was caught after he shot Chloe and he told the cops all about Jefferson.
Wait no, Max wouldn't even know anything in the final timeline. When she went back to the photo with Warren outside the party, Max said that Chloe would need to explain everything to her. So since Max goes back all the way to before she first rewinded time, she won't actually remember anything about the whole thing?
Agreed, 3 and 4 were fantastic. 5 was a bit too weird with the nightmare-mindfuckery, and the ending I wanted/picked (save Chloe) was WAY less fleshed out than the "canon" ending of sacrificing her... if they made it an option they should've fleshed it out. Show their future together. Show them attending Joyce's funeral if she died. Who knows.
I like what someone above said - the fact that there were deer in the destroyed bay kind of shows that disaster shouldn't follow them and that the "cleansing" happened there too - that was a nice touch.
Just finished the game.
You know for a minute there, especially with the nightmare sequence, I thought we were gonna end on this
Also, did anyone else notice the lighthouse at the storm having no top?
I mean, we get killed by the top in the first episode right?
You know for a minute there, especially with the nightmare sequence, I thought we were gonna end on this
Also, did anyone else notice the lighthouse at the storm having no top?
I mean, we get killed by the top in the first episode right?
hey_monkey
Banned
SAME ALL AROUND
I kissed Warren because YOLO I guess, and I think ep 5 was the strongest of the lot. I feel like I'm gonna be very unpopular in life. But goddamn, I have held my breath and hesitated and bit my lip and worried and thought more over the course of these five episodes than with any game I've ever played in my life.
Best moment of the entire series?
The entire wheelchair/paralyzed arc. I was in awe and nearly sobbing for that ENTIRE arch, from the cliffhanger to the final choice of it.
hit me WAY harder than kate, and despite how you knew something bad would happen by saving william. but WHAT happened and the ending of it... jesus christ.
This was probably the most emotion-inducing game I've ever played, and definitely my GOTY.
The entire wheelchair/paralyzed arc. I was in awe and nearly sobbing for that ENTIRE arch, from the cliffhanger to the final choice of it.
hit me WAY harder than kate, and despite how you knew something bad would happen by saving william. but WHAT happened and the ending of it... jesus christ.
This was probably the most emotion-inducing game I've ever played, and definitely my GOTY.
xrnzaaas
Member
Saving Chloe ending sucks big time. Not only it's much shorter, it's kinda dumb as well. So Chloe and Max didn't even go and see if the people they cared about are still alive (or at least say goodbye to them)? I mean it's not like an atomic bomb has dropped on Arcadia Bay and everyone in there are 100% dead. Sacrificing Arcadia Bay was my original decision and I felt like was cheated out of some awesome things when I watched the other ending a few hours later (that cemetery scene :O).
Chloe went hella slutty for the nightmare sequence.
Manny Calavera
Member
I kinda figured it would be and that's why sacrificing Chloe is the only right choice, no matter how painful. I'll see the other ending on my second playthrough though.
Chloe and Victoria as queen bitches was kind of awesome
Vampire On Titus
Member
I chose to save Chloe because I'd grown much more fond of her as a character than most other Arcadia Bay residents. But honestly the sacrifice Chloe ending makes much more sense thematically to me. LiS for me was a lot about representing the emotional turmoil of constant regret. Constantly rewinding every mistake had an obvious negative effect on Max. Fixating on regret from a poor choice is what ruined her friendship with Chloe in the first place. And it's not just resigning yourself as having no agency. But knowing that some things can't be helped, or changed, no matter how much you try. That fighting against it rather than accepting it can ruin you.
Max goes from a neurotic shy amateur photographer to a bold hero throughout the course of the game. I feel like Max as that hero would make the hard choice you know is right. It completes her character arc.
There's a hollow satisfaction to saving Chloe. There's no real guarantee that what happened in Arcadia Bay wont happen again elsewhere. Or that Max won't have to use her powers to save Chloe again resulting in some other, even greater, chaos. It's very romantic and tragic at the same time.
In that ending the real problem of letting regret destroy you isn't resolved. I kinda thought on that for a second before deciding. But I still went with saving Chloe.
Max goes from a neurotic shy amateur photographer to a bold hero throughout the course of the game. I feel like Max as that hero would make the hard choice you know is right. It completes her character arc.
There's a hollow satisfaction to saving Chloe. There's no real guarantee that what happened in Arcadia Bay wont happen again elsewhere. Or that Max won't have to use her powers to save Chloe again resulting in some other, even greater, chaos. It's very romantic and tragic at the same time.
In that ending the real problem of letting regret destroy you isn't resolved. I kinda thought on that for a second before deciding. But I still went with saving Chloe.
Whatever god or force of nature gave Max time rewind is the cruelest fucker ever.
I mean the whole lesson to be learned from the game is accepting the pains of life and being able to move forward. However the only reason the loss of Chloe's life is so powerful is because of all the events that occur as a result of you saving her the first time you get the power. I know Max and Chloe were best friends prior to Max leaving for Seattle and seeing her die would hurt regardless, but separation creates disconnection no matter how much you want to pretend it doesn't. If she had never gotten the power and she basically went into that bathroom saw Chloe die not knowing at the time it was Chloe the weight of that loss would of been way different. She didn't save Chloe the first time because it was Chloe, she saved her simply on a feeling of moral imperative given this new power. What cruel force wanted to teach her a lesson so badly to artificially create all the events needed to make things as painful as possible. It was fucking entrapment.
I mean the whole lesson to be learned from the game is accepting the pains of life and being able to move forward. However the only reason the loss of Chloe's life is so powerful is because of all the events that occur as a result of you saving her the first time you get the power. I know Max and Chloe were best friends prior to Max leaving for Seattle and seeing her die would hurt regardless, but separation creates disconnection no matter how much you want to pretend it doesn't. If she had never gotten the power and she basically went into that bathroom saw Chloe die not knowing at the time it was Chloe the weight of that loss would of been way different. She didn't save Chloe the first time because it was Chloe, she saved her simply on a feeling of moral imperative given this new power. What cruel force wanted to teach her a lesson so badly to artificially create all the events needed to make things as painful as possible. It was fucking entrapment.
SubiyaCryolite
Banned
Ill never understand why so many people on GAF hate Warren. Hes not a creeper, hes always been kind and helpful.
Sure, he was disappointed that (my) Max isn't interested in him. Big deal, hell get over it eventually. That doesn't make him a creeper, it makes him human. Its OK to be dissapointed (for a short while) if someone you like doesn't feel the same way about you. I really wonder what you'd rather have him do?
I chose Chloe over him but I still gave him a hug before leaving, not doing so would be a dick move imo. Especially with everything that was happening at the time.
Sure, he was disappointed that (my) Max isn't interested in him. Big deal, hell get over it eventually. That doesn't make him a creeper, it makes him human. Its OK to be dissapointed (for a short while) if someone you like doesn't feel the same way about you. I really wonder what you'd rather have him do?
I chose Chloe over him but I still gave him a hug before leaving, not doing so would be a dick move imo. Especially with everything that was happening at the time.
It really just depends on the player and what type of person you are in real life.
Do you value your ideals and morals more so than personal satisfaction?
I'm like that - to a fault. I have lost friendships over it.
But choosing between life and death is much harder. But it helped that Chloe made her peace with it so I could too.
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
I stand by saving Chloe being "my" choice, even though sacrificing her might've been the canonical one. I just wish that ending would've been a bit more fleshed out... The only person I feel bad for is Joyce which is why I wish that ending would've at least included looking for her/attending her funeral/facing David when he hears the news, maybe Warren but Chloe >>> Warren. And Kate is safe anyway.