Life is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized

  • October 20, 2015
82%
Game Brain Score Based on 26 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • emotional
Life is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized Game Cover
Life Is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized is an amazing final entry to the game as a whole making the entire game more than worth the price of admission.

In the final episode of Life is Strange, Max faces the consequences of her time-traveling abilities as she struggles to prevent a devastating storm and save Arcadia Bay. The player's choices from previous episodes come to a head, leading to multiple possible endings that reflect the impact of Max's actions. The emotional and impactful conclusion brings Max's journey to a close, leaving players with a lasting impression of the game's characters and themes.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Play Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews
story3 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Emotional and powerful story with a fitting finale that ties up loose ends.
  • Innovative time-reversal gameplay that enhances player choice and engagement.
  • Strong character development and excellent voice acting that make the characters feel real.
  • Final choices feel disconnected from earlier decisions, leading to a lack of impact.
  • Technical issues such as dodgy lip-syncing and animation problems detract from the experience.
  • Some gameplay elements, like a tedious stealth sequence, disrupt the overall pacing.
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and innovative mechanics, particularly the time-rewinding feature, which adds depth and encourages thoughtful decision-making. While the variety in gameplay keeps episodes engaging, some players note issues with animation and occasional repetitiveness. Overall, the gameplay effectively supports the narrative, despite some criticisms of dull moments and unresolved plot points.

    • “Gameplay is simple, but used in a variety of ways that keep each episode fresh and exciting.”
    • “The rewinding mechanic is an innovative addition to the genre, characters are wonderfully endearing, and some choices cannot be taken back, encouraging more deliberate actions. New mechanics feed both gameplay and story.”
    • “The gameplay features fun and thoughtful time-reversal mechanics, set in a gorgeous world that feels alive, providing a painful and genuine look at the struggles of adolescence.”
    • “Animation and lip-synching issues, rehashing repetitive gameplay.”
    • “Despite being marred by some dull gameplay at times, Life is Strange Episode 5: Polarized successfully pulls off what many other games have failed to do: delivering a satisfying ending to a player-driven, choice-heavy game.”
    • “Gameplay takes a backseat, lots of unanswered questions.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story of the game is characterized by its emotional depth and powerful character development, particularly in the relationship between Max and Chloe, enhanced by strong voice acting and a moving soundtrack. However, some reviews note that the climax can feel drawn out and the resolution may fall flat, with certain plot elements lacking coherence. Overall, while the narrative features innovative mechanics that encourage thoughtful choices, it also struggles with clichés and pacing issues in its final act.

    • “Fantastic ending to Life is Strange, difficult choices to make, emotional, powerful story.”
    • “Beautiful moments of storytelling, incredible voice acting performances, moving soundtrack, wonderful development of Max and Chloe's relationship, risky but effective art style.”
    • “Gripping story from start to finish, satisfying ending, much improved voice acting and writing.”
    • “Resolution falls flat, climax sequence drags too long, plot collapses under its own logic, animation sometimes feels listless.”
    • “A lackluster final act, undercutting fresh ideas with clichés, letting some critical plot elements flounder.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its powerful storytelling and impactful choices, particularly in the finale, which evokes strong feelings of guilt and investment in the characters. The excellent soundtrack further enhances the emotional experience, making the exploration of themes like time manipulation and causality resonate deeply with players. Despite some criticisms regarding choice authenticity, the emotional weight of the narrative leaves a lasting impression.

    • “Fantastic ending to Life is Strange, difficult choices to make, emotional, powerful story.”
    • “A fitting finale to an outstanding season. Those last few heart-wrenching decisions. Another clever exploration of time manipulation and causality, excellent soundtrack that underscores emotions.”
    • “It might suffer a little from 'telltale false choice' syndrome, but due to how emotionally invested you become with the kids at Blackwell Academy, I found myself actually feeling guilty about some choices that I was reminded about.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance storytelling, with an excellent soundtrack that complements pivotal moments and character development. Reviewers highlight the moving nature of the music, which effectively underscores the game's themes of time manipulation and relationships. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset that elevates the gaming experience.

    • “Excellent soundtrack that underscores emotions.”
    • “Moving soundtrack.”
    • “Beautiful moments of storytelling.”
  • graphics2 mentions

    The graphics are noted for their consistency rather than being groundbreaking, yet they effectively support the beautiful storytelling and character development. The art style is described as risky but effective, complementing the incredible voice acting and emotional depth of the narrative.

    • “The graphics create beautiful moments of storytelling, enhancing the emotional depth of the game.”
    • “The art style is risky but effective, making the visuals stand out in a unique way.”
    • “The incredible voice acting performances are complemented by stunning graphics that bring the characters to life.”
    • “The graphics aren't incredible, but they are consistent; the dialogue can induce eye-rolls, but the actors deliver the lines with confidence and make the characters real, helped, of course, by the impeccable writing team at Dontnod.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is praised for its beautiful storytelling and incredible voice acting, which enhance the emotional depth of Max and Chloe's relationship. The moving soundtrack and unique art style further contribute to a compelling experience, though specific technical performance details are not mentioned.

  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly noting a frustrating stealth section that detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, there are issues with character mouths and dialogue not syncing, further diminishing immersion.

    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over, and it became incredibly boring.”
    • “The grind is so tedious that it overshadows the fun aspects of the game.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its excellent detail and creativity, contributing to an immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the satisfying ending and the resolution of loose ends, enhancing the overall ambiance.

    • “The game features excellent detail and loads of creativity, creating a truly immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is captivating, drawing you into the world and making every moment feel alive.”
    • “With its rich visuals and sound design, the game establishes a great atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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