Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. 100
    The characters are relatable, the issues are widespread, and the story is riveting. Don't miss out.
  2. Sep 25, 2018
    100
    ‘Roads’ is a heart-breaking leg of an emotional journey that never feels limited by its medium. I’ve played seasons of other choice-driven narrative games that had less emotion and heart than this five-hour odyssey. With Life is Strange 2, DONTNOD has upgraded and refined every element that made its forebear successful, whilst sprinkling some magical new additions into the mix to create an essential genre-pushing experience that isn’t just for fans.
  3. 95
    This is an excellent game. Life is Strange 2 is bold, ballsy, and wildly ambitious, promising an epic and personal odyssey across America circa October 2016. Dontnod is capturing the mood of a powerful country in the midst of a crisis of identity. If they can stick the landing, Life is Strange 2 has the potential to be a masterpiece.
  4. Sep 26, 2018
    95
    Life is Strange 2 strikes out on its own. In a amazing captivating first episode we meet the new central characters and begin an immensely interesting, and sad, tale.
  5. 95
    A solid start! Episode One of Life Is Strange 2 takes us out of the Bay and introduces us to new characters but retains the emotion and beautiful narrative of the first game. Gameplay and graphics are improved, however, it's too soon to tell if the brothers Diaz are the perfect spiritual successors to Max and Chloe, but I can't wait to find out.
  6. Sep 26, 2018
    92
    Overall, Life is Strange 2 was not only better than I expected, but I believe it would have been a hit even if no one had ever heard of the first game. It was beautiful, with the mechanics all improved on the original and the choices more meaningful than ever.
  7. Oct 10, 2018
    90
    Life is Strange 2 might be a different story, with different characters on a different location: other than that this has the same feel as the first series. Amazing.
  8. Sep 28, 2018
    90
    Despite the absence of Max and Chloe, Sean and Daniel rise to the occasion and create a lasting impression by the end of the opener. Players will feel invested in their relationship and experience a touching narrative that will captivate them from start to finish. Episode 1: Roads is undoubtedly the best opener in episodic gaming to date and also Dontnod’s finest hour with the Life Is Strange series so far.
  9. Oct 8, 2018
    85
    This first episode introduces us to two new characters and a brand new story which feels like a breath of fresh air. It grabs you by the throat and you'll keep playing until you see the end of it which promises good things for episodes to come. DontNod nails the way they portray human behavior in its characters, the bond between brothers and an otherwise riveting narrative.
  10. Oct 4, 2018
    85
    With Roads episode, Dontnod once again proved how good they are in creating modern adventures and mixing them with sensational stories and over the top character designs. There are tons of improvements comparing to the previous version and while the ending of the episode could’ve been better, there is still much to enjoy from.
  11. Oct 4, 2018
    85
    The first episode of Life is Strange 2 looks very ambitious and promising. The change in the game's environment from urban to road-trip reflects its different but interesting story of survival and political drama and despite it's slow start, episode 1 includes all the small things that will probably make the entire season a big and unforgettable experience.
  12. Oct 1, 2018
    85
    This first episode for Life is Strange 2 is one of the biggest surprises of 2018 so far. Dontnod Entertainment not only has improved its saga in a technical way, but the script and characterization for the game presents huge and delicate topics among the American culture.
  13. Sep 27, 2018
    82
    In short, the road taken by Dontnod seems the right one (just to stay on the subject), and now, as usual, you just have to wait for the next chapter.
  14. Games Master UK
    Nov 1, 2018
    81
    It makes you want to see where life leads them next. [Issue#336, p.85]
  15. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Oct 28, 2018
    80
    A consistently strong introduction to the Diaz brothers and their plight. We only want the best for them but know full well things are going to get worse over the course of the season. [Issue#155, p.88]
  16. Oct 5, 2018
    80
    Life Is Strange 2 is an entirely new story with an entirely new cast of characters. Its only link to the first game, based on the first episode, is that it takes place in the same universe – but that was perhaps the best direction Dontnod Entertainment could have taken. Starting virtually from scratch has allowed the developer to experiment and push themselves as storytellers, and the result is a more grounded and mature story that has real potential.
  17. Oct 5, 2018
    80
    The first episode of the new Life is Strange story sets the ground for a compelling and dramatic adventure with well written characters that truly makes us care for. Kudos also to Dotnod for taking a clear stance in contemporary sociopolitical issues.
  18. Sep 28, 2018
    80
    Life Is Strange 2: Episode 1 – Roads has the same je ne sais quoi as its predecessor, but it’s a different kind of game. This isn’t a series about teenage angst anymore – it’s about survival in a contemporary United States that’s more hostile than it’d like to think it is. Larger, more detailed environments and inconclusive moral decisions that have a direct influence on key cast members make for an impressive, brave opening.
  19. Sep 28, 2018
    80
    The first chapter of Life is Strange 2 surprises for good. The game maintains the essence of his pre-sequel and it's capable of contributing its bit with a much more dynamic and natural universe. We have doubts to resolve as the importance of Daniel's power, but the trip of the Díaz brothers is promising.
  20. Sep 27, 2018
    80
    This is an excellent start for the second season of a game with big shoes to fill. We may have lost Telltale Games forever, but you can dry your tears with Dontnod’s big-hearted adventure of a story game.
  21. Sep 27, 2018
    80
    Life is Strange 2: Episode 1 - Roads is the first episode of a series with a large inheritance on his shoulders: we can't wait to find out how the story will evolve.
  22. Sep 27, 2018
    80
    The second installment of Life is Strange starts in a promising way.
  23. Sep 27, 2018
    80
    The first episode highlights that the series still works at its best when it aims for its quieter, more poignant moments.
  24. Sep 27, 2018
    80
    It’s not going to be known quite yet if Life is Strange is essential, but early signs are that this sequel is going to be as good as season one was.
  25. Sep 26, 2018
    80
    Life Is Strange’s sequel is off to an impressively daring start, both in terms of the subject matter and creating a brand-new cast of characters.
  26. 80
    There are aspects that can definitely use some more fleshing out in future episodes, but the new season feels like it’s on its way to potentially achieving the same level of greatness as its predecessor.
  27. Sep 26, 2018
    80
    Life is Strange 2 sets up a very different story that cares a lot of the original game’s strengths with it, and leaves some of its weaker points behind.
  28. Oct 3, 2018
    79
    Roads is the beginning we were expecting from Life is Strange 2. Technically the game has gone a step further, more fluid and more detailed. The story is also on another new level for themes and direction, apart for some choice problems, which we have to check later on the adventure: Dontnod is back.
  29. Oct 1, 2018
    78
    A beautiful start to an emotional road trip that makes me want more, even though some of the delicate topics are handled in a fashion that is too cliched and stereotypical.
  30. Sep 27, 2018
    78
    I'm diving back in to play it again as soon as I am done writing this to make different decisions and experience the outcome.
  31. Sep 26, 2018
    77
    Though its social criticisms feel broad and rather clumsy so far, its core story of brotherhood and fraternity between two believable characters is already enormously touching.
  32. Sep 27, 2018
    76
    Dontnod proves again they are able to create great stories with characters we care about, but this time the experience is much more lineal, decisions don’t seem to matter that much, and the lack of special powers makes the gameplay less diverse and exciting.
  33. Oct 16, 2018
    74
    There are a couple of technical issues that hold back Life is Strange 2, it's got some weird visual glitches, and I encountered a few crashes in the short, but ultimately interesting story of two brothers, and their suddenly upended life.
  34. Oct 17, 2018
    70
    As enjoyable as always, Life Is Strange is back with this second opus that brings new characters and renew the IP that can more easily welcome new players. Life Is Strange 2 still has some flaws but let's not forget this is only the first chapter of many.
  35. Sep 26, 2018
    70
    Life Is Strange 2 Episode 1 is a decent introduction this new season. It stumbles and succeeds in the same areas as its predecessor, but those stumbles are a bit less severe and those victories are a tad more successful. Those heartfelt scenes and solid setup give the upcoming episodes a good foundation to stand on even if the dialogue sometimes tries its best to sabotage that goodwill.
  36. Sep 26, 2018
    70
    Life is Strange 2 does not take advantage of the choices that would bring forth different situations during the episode 1. All the focus is put on the "education" that we bring to our little brother but, for now, it's impossible to define the consequences of it.
  37. Sep 25, 2018
    70
    A well-written story that doesn’t quite gel together properly and a lack of actual things to do make this a sub-par start to this potentially great sequel.
  38. Oct 29, 2018
    60
    Episode 1: Roads sets Life is Strange 2 up for potentially great things, but the entertaining moments are extremely fleeting in what is clearly intended to be an emotionally-driven adventure that works to set the tone for what is to come, with particular value placed on the story of brotherhood. The supernatural element at play as the main plot device is interesting, but it again only works to serve as a teaser for what is lying further down the road for the brothers. Not as gripping as season one, but this short episode does its job.
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  1. Sep 26, 2018
    A new journey in the Life is Strange universe has begun, but so far, it's not one I'm particularly enjoying.
  2. Sep 26, 2018
    A slow start and and a shifting tone give way to a strong central relationship and some tough choices. The road ahead intrigues.
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 166 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 99 out of 166
  2. Negative: 56 out of 166
  1. Sep 30, 2018
    0
    Life is Strange 2 - it's agitation with undisguised hatred of white Americans and Republicans in particular. DONTNOD absolutely clumsilyLife is Strange 2 - it's agitation with undisguised hatred of white Americans and Republicans in particular. DONTNOD absolutely clumsily raises controversial issues and does not analyze them at all. Here everything is divided into black and white, with the drama built mediocre. The main character, who must show the severity of life of Mexicans, is in fact extremely stupid, and he himself creates situations that give rise to stereotypes. All policemen are villains, honest hard workers are villains. Behind all this policy lies an extremely mediocre game, incapable of adult reasoning. Is racism bad? Absolutly! But why do you say this directly without concomitant analysis? This is kindergarten...DONTNOD clearly considers his fans idiots. Full Review »
  2. Sep 28, 2018
    0
    Es una panfletada política insoportable, un lavado de cerebro importante por parte de los sobrevalorados Dontnod que solo disfrutaran losEs una panfletada política insoportable, un lavado de cerebro importante por parte de los sobrevalorados Dontnod que solo disfrutaran los llorones de Tuiter. Ni siquiera merece la pena perder el tiempo con porquerías toxicas como esta, le doy un 1 por que me siento generoso. Es el mes de Forza, Assassin's y Red Dead, no deis dinero a juegos tóxicos. Full Review »
  3. Oct 20, 2018
    0
    Feels more like a far-left ideological propaganda piece than a game. I'm not averse to political themes as long as the developers let theFeels more like a far-left ideological propaganda piece than a game. I'm not averse to political themes as long as the developers let the players make up their own minds. This game does no such thing. It is written with the sole purpose of indoctrinating people to left wing causes, rather than provide opportunities for players to think critically and independently. Now we know where the NPC meme came from, because no independent thinking person could play this game without having his or her intelligence insulted. Full Review »