Life is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized

 PC
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Ragequit.gr
    Oct 26, 2015
    93
    Expansive, bittersweet, artistically complete. Life Is Strange opens up new possibilities for what is feasible in video games in terms of narrative. A gorgeous, coming-of-age tale that will resonate with players long after the end credits have rolled.
  2. Games.cz
    Nov 4, 2015
    90
    Grand finale of an unconventional adventure is a success and the whole game has truly the one of the best stories of this year.
  3. RPG Fan
    Oct 26, 2015
    90
    The entirety of Episode 5 pulls at the soul, using the series' history as a catalyst for existential query.
  5. Game Revolution
    Oct 22, 2015
    90
    As for the big ending, I was quite moved, but it should be noted that where previous episodes would have the player make several important choices, Polarized only has one. It’s a doozy for sure, but it’s a little jarring that a series that highlighted all these precious tiny moments ends up coming down to a singular yes or no choice.
  6. Gameblog.fr
    Oct 20, 2015
    90
    This fifth episode efficiently concludes a whole season that has just been constantly brilliant in terms of narrative and staging. A lot of surprises happen and lead to a final decision with potential consequences that will definitely help to remember this whole season of Life is Strange as a beautiful present from Dontnod to the players.
  7. 4P.de
    Oct 23, 2015
    83
    Even though Life is Strange doesn’t utilize all its potential on the final stretch this is a strong emotional finish to a cracking mystery thriller.
  8. Multiplayer.it
    Oct 26, 2015
    80
    Life is Strange: Polarized is a brilliant pay off. All the choices we have made, along with the awkward narrative style finally make sense. And we are confronted with issues much deeper than expected.
  9. GameSpot
    Oct 20, 2015
    60
    Life is Strange paints an excellent, vivid picture of a young woman's struggle for acceptance and justice, but trips itself up by trying to make things gamey.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best PC Game of 2015
65
#65 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 348 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 274 out of 348
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 348
  3. Negative: 38 out of 348
  1. Revolos
    Oct 20, 2015
    10
    Dontnod Entertainment and the people behind it have done something no one would have expected when this game was announced. They have craftedDontnod Entertainment and the people behind it have done something no one would have expected when this game was announced. They have crafted the best episodic adventure game yet. Episode 5 cemented Life is Strange as an exceptional piece of storytelling that should be played and experienced by everyone.… Full Review »
  2. TheTitan84
    Oct 20, 2015
    10
    This has been one of the best games of my life. The last choice..... will not spoil, but there IS a choice. There is ALWAYS a choice. BestThis has been one of the best games of my life. The last choice..... will not spoil, but there IS a choice. There is ALWAYS a choice. Best game ever. It cost like 2 movie tickets (in Sweden at least) and is worth infinity that.… Full Review »
  3. TenchuuKhan
    Oct 20, 2015
    4
    And another great storytelling gets killed by its finale.

    It starts out with lengthy, boring dialogues, a few jumps in time and things just    And another great storytelling gets killed by its finale.

    It starts out with lengthy, boring dialogues, a few jumps in time and things just get weird because the characters say things that make no sense at all.
    Then comes a lengthy "dream" part with surreal judgement dialogues which makes one hope for some decent explanation.
    But there isn't one.

    Ever wondered about why the doe is hopping around? No explanation
    Max' nosebleeding? No explanation
    Why the weird dream sequence? No Explanation
    Why do characters outside the dream sequence talk nonsense in E5? No explanation

    There were so many things they could do with the story but they had to go with: here's some nonsense... go think up your own explanation.
    It actually feels like someone else wrote the finale.    … Full Review »
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