Life is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection

On the whole, the Arcadia Bay Collection is largely the same game that was released almost eight years ago, but that isn't a bad thing in the slightest. When a great game focused almost entirely on its story, not much needs to be done for a remaster. While the Switch version is undoubtedly the worst version of the game from a visual perspective, those hiccups are more than made up for by the portability offered by Nintendo's console. That portability makes for the worst-looking yet most enjoyable version of these games to date and elevates the entire concept of the genre.

The value of Life Is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection comes down to whether the Nintendo Switch release is a worthy and required port. If players haven't had the chance to experience Life Is Strange and the Switch is their platform of choice, then it is an obvious choice to go make - particularly as it's then a jumping off point to also enjoy the brilliance of Life Is Strange 2 and True Colors. Meanwhile, long-time fans may have a bit of hesitancy, as it's not an entirely necessary upgrade on the original games, but the portability of the Switch version could make it a useful way to play a much-loved game once again.

I want to believe that the Switch is capable of supporting graphic adventures, compelling stories, and riveting experiences that are expected from other consoles. For the case of Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection, I cannot help but express concern that this remaster is less of a remaster and more of a port of the original 2015 game, graphical artifacts and outdated loading times included. Yes, Life is Strange is an outstanding game and very easily one of the best written games I’ve played in my lifetime. The Arcadia Bay Collection comes with all the content associated with Life is Strange and Before the Storm. Switch owners should definitely play Life is Strange during their lives. But, if you own other consoles/a PC, then maybe you should consider trying Life is Strange on a platform that makes the game look and feel better than its original. If you already own Life is Strange, then this collection becomes much more difficult to recommend.

Life is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection invites us to experience the stories of Max and Chloe with a remastered version of the first two games. On a technical level it has some flaws, but that does not mean we can't enjoy one of the most exciting and vibrant stories of recent years in a portable version.