- Note: We have tried to keep this review as spoiler free as possible.
Life Is Strange Episode 2 showed evolution from the first episode. It improved upon its dodgy lip sync, added more variety to the gameplay and was able to explore the characters rather than just introduce them. Episode 3: Chaos Theory is yet again an evolution, but at the same time refines the foundations already placed out by its predecessors.
Fetch quest sections in the game are less fiddly this time around. Also when you come across similar situations that Max faced in earlier episodes she decides to point out that it’s a stupid idea to approach it in the same way again and fail. It’s a nice touch as it helps to drill in to you that this character is learning along with you. The refinement means they can focus on making the puzzles interesting, even if they are similar to what has already been seen. Now that players are used to how things work it means they’ll try to push through the game quicker. There is enough left in there to stop you being too quick with the trigger though. Some dialogue trees mean you could accidentally leave a character up the creek without a paddle unless you rewind time.
Your choices in the previous two episodes will change what you witness in the third episode, with the tone being very different depending on how you finished the second one. The game also starts to show you what those choices you thought were small and not important actually did. The fact that even the small choices are showing outcomes helps with the encouraging multiple playthroughs, giving the game longevity even after you’ve finished it.
Alternative playthroughs of the game, however, may cause confusion as to what you have done in each save. This is where the brilliance of the text messages and Max’s diary come in to play. The diary offers a reminder of what has happened from the perspective of Max, and does so in a way that is entertaining to read back through, even after watching the recap at the start of the episode.
The text messages also work well in adding more meaning to your exploration throughout the world. During a fetch quest section early in the episode there is a back and forth with a character that has information you don’t have to gain entry to a room. Not only does it develop the bond between Max and the other character but it also gives the player something to break up what can be quite a mundane task. Text messaging helps to ground the game in the now, as do the pop culture references that are placed within it. Life Is Strange has worn its Twin Peaks influences on its sleeve so far, but it’s nice to see things like Catcher in the Rye and Rushmore get nods as well. It has picked its references well and most of them aren’t forced onto you, which make them a nice reward.
Speaking of rewards a lot of the trophies are again gained by finding the photo opportunities within the game. It encourages another run of the episode after its completion and it’s nice that Life Is Strange gives you the option to do that without overriding your choices. It also forces your focus onto how lovely the style and direction of the game can be rather than trying to get to the next scene.
In previous episodes the moral choices have been several shades of grey it seems, with it hard to really figure out what is right and wrong. The moral choices in Chaos Theory seem a bit more black and white. Whereas the previous episodes often went for more ambiguous things such as watering a plant the focus on this episode tends to be more “do something obviously bad or not”. That being said there are still plenty of alternate paths to explore. With the power to rewind time still allowing you to see both outcomes you can still look at the “bad” option, but it is more a sense of curiosity than trying to figure out the best choice.
Each episode so far has ended strongly, making you want to come back for the next one. You will be glad to hear that this episode is no different. Life Is Strange has the beautiful habit of asking a lot of questions and, just when you think you’ve finally answered them, changing what the questions were in the first place. The writing in the game has to be applauded because even when things are coming across as cliché the believable cast and heartfelt moments shine through.
Chaos Theory is the strongest episode of Life Is Strange so far. The fetch quests are less tedious than before, the lip sync is better and the story continues to intrigue. The continued development of Max and Chloe as a crime solving duo is handled in a way that really makes you care for both of them. Time travel and its consequences are also being explored brilliantly, with the weight of each decision requiring you to really think things through. With only two episodes left of Life is Strange there are many directions the series could go, but three episodes in it’s hard to not recommend picking it up.