Life is Strange 2: Episode 1 - Roads

Directors Raoul Barbet and Michel Koch have gone the extra mile to create better realized characters, a more believable setting, and continue to tackle sensitive topics - elements that once again separate Life Is Strange from other games in this genre. Roads delivers a strong first impression and bringing the DONTNOD band back together for another run has gone a long way to make this episode feel as special as the first season. Life Is Strange is back and it’s off to a great start.

Life is Strange 2 features a story that packs real emotional weight, and one that surprisingly deals with real-world issues in a way that feels like a milestone achievement in interactive storytelling. But, by that same token it is indeed more of an interactive piece of cinema than traditional game. Here’s hoping that the next few episodes provide real tangible ways to interact with the world, from puzzles, to traversal, to even some form of action.

An even stronger and thought-provoking experience than the first game, with a brilliant soundtrack and improved graphics, while Dontnod reaffirms their storytelling ability. A must have for any narrative adventure lover and a great beginning for this new episodic season in the series.

The net result is that we immediately care about Life is Strange 2. There's no getting-to-know-you phase where we're slowly and steadily introduced to conflict. Nope, it's immediate and it's painful.

Episode 1 really is a journey that tugs on your heartstrings and plays with your emotions, so much so that I can’t wait to see how the brothers and their relationship develops over the coming episodes. No doubt there will be many more horrific challenges in their way, but I am eager to see how things pan out. Life is Strange 2 is off to a great start.

The indie soundtrack that accompanies your time with Life is Strange 2 Episode 1 is both melancholic and atmospheric, matching the mood of the story perfectly. As to be expected from a Life is Strange game, the dialogue and voice acting are spot on and I felt fully immersed in the lives of Sean and Daniel.

All in all, Roads is a good entry into the Life is Strange 2 series. It brings back the things fans love about the series and builds an entirely new story around this. Some things could be done better, but these are only small points of critique.

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.

Episode 1 can be guardedly recommended, then. It stumbles in parts, sure, but it also proves that DontNod has some ambitious ideas for this installment of its teen adventure series. On top of that, it ends intriguingly enough to ensure that many who play through it will want to see what the next episode holds.

Unfortunately the episode is let down by the less than subtle way it deals with delicate subjects like racism, as well as gameplay that means this episode feels like quite a slow start to the story. There are several hints throughout the episode to suggest the gameplay may be spiced up in the future, and it may need it if players are going to make it through to the end of the story.

The gameplay feels a little too one-dimensional at this moment and really required an added twist. But Roads sets up some intriguing plot points which I’m really excited to see unfold in later episodes of Life is Strange 2.

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.