Life is Strange 2

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 16,456 reviews
  • story
  • emotional
  • music
Life is Strange 2 Game Cover
The jury is out on whether or not Life is Strange 2 is superior to the first game, but it is undoubtedly bolder and more ambitious, with something meaningful to say.
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In Life is Strange 2, players assume the role of Sean, a teenager who embarks on a journey with his younger brother, Daniel, after a tragic event at their home. The game is a narrative-driven adventure that explores themes of brotherhood, loss, and the supernatural. Decisions made throughout the game will affect the relationship between the brothers and the outcome of their journey.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 16,456 reviews
story4,048 positive mentions
stability130 negative mentions
  • story11,531 mentions

    The story of "Life is Strange 2" follows two brothers, Sean and Daniel Diaz, as they navigate a tumultuous journey across the United States after a tragic incident forces them to flee their home. While the narrative explores themes of family, identity, and social issues such as racism and immigration, many players found the pacing uneven and the character development lacking compared to the original game. Despite its emotional moments and impactful choices, some felt the story was overshadowed by political commentary and a less engaging plot structure, leading to mixed reviews on its overall effectiveness.

    • “Life is Strange 2 has its own messages, and while not going into specific plot points, it is an exceptional story - but you have to be open to it.”
    • “The story is intense, and while their actions often come across as a bit naive, this only adds to the believability of the characters.”
    • “The story, characters, and soundtrack are amazing ♥, never cried so much before.”
    • “However, I can't say that this story and characters connected with me emotionally strongly enough.”
    • “Having spent nearly 20 hours on my playthrough, taking my time and examining every object I thought possible, I still missed several plot points.”
    • “The story is riddled with cheap ways to make drama, including unnecessary violence, hamfisted social commentary and overdone clichés.”
  • emotional2,374 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Life is Strange 2" is widely praised for its depth and impact, with many players reporting that the story evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears. The relationship between the two brothers, Sean and Daniel, is particularly highlighted as both heartwarming and heartbreaking, making players feel deeply connected to their journey. However, some reviewers noted that while the game attempts to deliver emotional moments, it occasionally falls short in establishing lasting connections with new characters compared to its predecessor, leading to mixed emotional responses.

    • “I cried tears and felt for the characters.”
    • “Life is strange 2 took me on an emotional road trip filled with tough choices, deep connections, and a whole lot of feels.”
    • “The journey of sean and daniel diaz is a rollercoaster of emotions, from the heartbreaking tragedy that sets their journey in motion to the heartwarming moments of brotherly love and friendship that keep them going.”
    • “Overall, it was a boring storyline with characters I didn't even feel connected to.”
    • “Boring characters, boring locations, boring powers, boring story, boring gameplay etc. The only part where I actually enjoyed the game a little bit was episode 3, but that was mainly because of me lowering my expectations.”
    • “Boring story, dumb character decisions, and forced political commentary combine to ruin a mediocre game.”
  • music1,746 mentions

    The music in "Life is Strange 2" continues the franchise's tradition of featuring a strong soundtrack, with a mix of original scores and licensed tracks that enhance the emotional depth of the narrative. While many players appreciate the atmospheric and evocative nature of the music, some feel it lacks the memorability and impact of the original game's soundtrack. Overall, the music is praised for its ability to complement the game's themes and moments, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to previous installments.

    • “The visuals and soundtrack perfectly capture the game's mood, making every moment memorable.”
    • “The soundtrack is equally impressive, with a mix of indie tracks and original score that perfectly capture the mood of each scene.”
    • “The music and voice acting also contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, making every moment feel genuine and heartfelt.”
    • “The music is also not that great compared to especially lis1, and unlike lis: bts you have no familiar cast or location from the first hit game to piggyback on.”
    • “The only saving grace to how uninspired and out of place the soundtrack sounded was how little it played any role in the game.”
    • “The biggest disappointment with this game, was most definitely the lack of music.”
  • gameplay1,680 mentions

    The gameplay in "Life is Strange 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the engaging mechanics of the first game, particularly the absence of the time-rewind feature. While the game retains a focus on exploration, dialogue choices, and character interactions, it often feels more like a cinematic experience with minimal gameplay, leading to criticisms of it being a "walking simulator." Some players appreciate the emotional storytelling and character development, but many feel that the gameplay lacks depth and innovation, making it less compelling than its predecessor.

    • “Even if it's only 15 to 20 hours of gameplay: this Life is Strange title is worth every single penny.”
    • “The rewind mechanic from Life is Strange 1 added a layer of depth to the game that I don't think can ever be recreated or outdone in this franchise.”
    • “Life is Strange 2 introduces an intriguing new set of mechanics that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout the game.”
    • “Lis2 can be marred by some eye-wateringly drab gameplay at points.”
    • “Gameplay has become non-existent (even looking at various objects is less interesting than in lis 1), the story is not as good (sometimes even ridiculous), and the characters are poorly written (especially Daniel, the most important character, I guess? even though I wondered if I cared about him at some point).”
    • “The issue I have with this sequel is that it takes the gameplay out nearly entirely.”
  • graphics1,527 mentions

    The graphics in "Life is Strange 2" have received widespread acclaim for their significant improvements over the original game, showcasing stunning visuals, detailed environments, and a refined art style that enhances the storytelling. Players have noted the beautiful hand-crafted landscapes and atmospheric lighting, which contribute to an immersive experience, although some minor graphical glitches and performance issues were reported. Overall, the game successfully combines its unique aesthetic with emotional depth, making it visually captivating while maintaining the franchise's signature charm.

    • “The visuals are stunning, capturing the essence of the American landscape with beautiful, hand-crafted environments that enhance the storytelling.”
    • “The graphics are impressive and beautiful, having very aesthetically pleasing views and even a nostalgic atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics in Life is Strange 2 are stunning, with beautiful scenery and detailed character models.”
    • “The only thing I can criticize is that despite running on Unreal Engine 4, by today's standards, the graphics could be much better.”
    • “Somehow the game development aspect took a step back, the audios (dialogue and the environment) were all over the place and visuals - while very eye-pleasing - just were not able to keep the player hooked by themselves.”
    • “Life is Strange 1 had a few first day release bugs and graphic issues but dear god I played episode 3 of LIS 2 now and .. so many glitches, the punks ported around, Hannah suddenly disappeared, Sean's flashlight was floating in the air and so much clipping and twitching textures like I haven't seen in years.”
  • character development298 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the emotional depth and evolving relationship between the protagonists, Sean and Daniel, while others criticize the pacing and perceived lack of growth in side characters. Some reviews highlight that player choices significantly impact character development, making it feel personal and engaging, whereas others feel that the character arcs are inconsistent or superficial, particularly for Daniel. Overall, while the game offers strong moments of character development, it struggles with pacing and the depth of side characters compared to its predecessor.

    • “While the pacing can vary and some decisions might feel heavy-handed, the game’s strong character development and emotional depth make it a memorable experience.”
    • “The character development between Sean and Daniel is unlike any that we've seen in previous games in the series, and the choices that lead you through the story are more in-depth and personal than before.”
    • “Dontnod doesn't fail on delivering the best kind of storytelling through deep character development, pleasing visual aesthetics, and of course, their peculiar 'hopeful-yet-melancholic' music.”
    • “And there is next to no character development despite the length of time that passes: the brothers keep on making the same choices.”
    • “Your choices truly don't matter much, because each episode there are very similar endings (just with slight differences). There was little to no character development, specifically when we are talking about Daniel.”
    • “The character development is lackluster, the characters are not nearly as relatable, and I could not get into the story.”
  • atmosphere270 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Life is Strange 2" is widely praised for its immersive and emotional qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and stunning visuals. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke nostalgia and create a unique vibe that complements its storytelling, despite some critiques regarding pacing and character depth. Overall, the atmospheric design effectively draws players into the narrative, making it a significant aspect of the gaming experience.

    • “The music and voice acting also contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, making every moment feel genuine and heartfelt.”
    • “This game delivers an emotional rollercoaster that's beautifully woven with great sound design and an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is phenomenal!”
    • “Take Life is Strange 1, strip it of all the atmosphere and magic that made that game so iconic and expose it down to its core mechanics, and you get Life is Strange 2.”
    • “It's not that bad of a game, but it certainly doesn't feel like a Life is Strange game, neither in quality, nor in atmosphere, sadly.”
    • “The main problem is the storytelling and atmosphere, which is the only reason anyone plays these games.”
  • stability140 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a significant number of bugs and glitches, including graphical issues, audio problems, and occasional freezes. While some users experienced no major technical difficulties, others found the glitches to be disruptive enough to detract from their overall enjoyment. Overall, the game appears to be plagued by stability issues that could impact the player experience.

    • “No glitches or problems with it whatsoever.”
    • “It runs great.”
    • “Bug free and looks beautiful in 4K max. The characters have a lot of charisma.”
    • “The main problem throughout the game is the buggy glitches; sometimes the characters might have and some background audio or comments made by the protagonist would be cut off by another cutscene.”
    • “There are a lot of visual glitches and bugs, way more than in the first game, and tons of sound glitches that take you out of the whole experience.”
    • “Life is Strange 1 had a few first-day release bugs and graphic issues, but dear god I played episode 3 of LIS 2 now and... so many glitches, the punks ported around, Hannah suddenly disappeared, Sean's flashlight was floating in the air, and so much clipping and twitching textures like I haven't seen in years.”
  • replayability114 mentions

    The game is widely regarded as having high replayability due to its choice-driven narrative, which leads to multiple endings and varied outcomes based on player decisions. Many reviewers highlight the engaging story and the impact of choices as key factors that encourage multiple playthroughs, although some express concerns about the overall length and value for money. Overall, while most agree on its replay potential, opinions vary on the extent of that replayability.

    • “The choices you make significantly impact the narrative, leading to multiple different endings, which adds a layer of replayability and keeps you invested in seeing how different decisions play out.”
    • “Because of the vast amount of choices that allow you to shape Daniel, along with the many dialogue options, every playthrough will be different, and there’s a good amount of replay value here.”
    • “You will want to play it again and see how the story unfolds when you choose different paths, which means you get actual replayability on a story-driven game.”
    • “Overall, I would say it's worth a play if you love the 'Life is Strange' series, but nothing I'd say has much replay value.”
    • “I actually really enjoyed this game; I've played through it a couple of times and each time was engaging. I'd personally recommend waiting for a sale as it is a little overpriced since there's not a whole lot of replay value.”
    • “After beating the game, all I have to say is: it's boring, uninteresting, and it has zero replayability.”
  • humor100 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of heartfelt moments and comedic relief, often eliciting both laughter and tears from players. Many reviews highlight the amusing dynamics between characters, particularly the sibling interactions, while also noting that some humor can feel out of place or cringeworthy. Overall, the game successfully balances emotional storytelling with funny dialogues and relatable situations, making it an engaging experience.

    • “All in all, this is a wild ride that will have you laughing, crying, and maybe even screaming at your screen.”
    • “It made me laugh, it made me cry, it gave me all the feels.”
    • “Funny brothers with funny lives break my heart and ruin my day with really big decisions but I still love them.”
  • optimization90 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players noting smooth performance and stability on various systems, often achieving 60fps without crashes or major issues. However, some users reported performance problems on newer GPUs and occasional frame drops at higher settings, indicating that optimization may vary depending on hardware. While the graphics and voice acting are praised, facial animations and certain performance aspects detract from the overall experience for some players.

    • “Optimization of the game - 10/10”
    • “The game is very optimized and thus has good performance; of course, this also depends on the system that you are playing on.”
    • “Performance is excellent, game runs smooth as silk on max graphics.”
    • “Really good game but the performance on new GPUs is kinda crap.”
    • “Music and voice acting are still top notch and the graphics are great even though the game doesn't feel very optimized and requires an average computer with pretty simple graphics.”
    • “If you want an example of a poorly optimized game, this is it.”
  • grinding68 mentions

    The reviews consistently highlight that the game features significant grinding elements, often described as tedious and slow-paced. Players express frustration with lengthy cutscenes, repetitive tasks, and a lack of engaging gameplay, leading to a feeling of boredom and a desire for a more condensed experience. Overall, the grinding aspect detracts from the enjoyment and replayability of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The game is too slow-paced, too tedious, too long-winded, with not enough happening, and even the story-heavy portions that are happening aren't all that well-written nor interesting.”
    • “At some points, I just had to do something else in the meantime (like reading a book) as focusing on the game only became tedious.”
    • “It is slow, full of unreasonably tedious scenes, lacking the choices, and almost no gameplay whatsoever.”
  • monetization22 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, capitalizing on the success of its predecessor without offering substantial value. While there are no microtransactions, players have noted the presence of product placement and misleading advertisements, leading to disappointment regarding the game's integrity and overall experience.

    • “At least there are no microtransactions.”
    • “No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “Just play the first game if you want a great experience; this one in the end is just a cash grab.”
    • “Cash grab at its finest!”
    • “If the following episodes get better, then I'll amend the review, but when I look up information about episode 2, the forecast only gets worse. I rank the original Life is Strange as my all-time favorite game, and it's sad to see the second season become a shameless cash grab, and to have a political agenda that it doesn't need.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Life is Strange 2

Play time

14hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
16hMain story
20hCompletionist
4-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 40 analyzed playthroughs

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