Life is Strange: Episode 1 - Chrysalis

 Xbox One
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. DarkStation
    Apr 11, 2015
    100
    Life Is Strange takes Telltale’s formula of consequence driven storytelling to create something original and extremely compelling.
  2. We Got This Covered
    Feb 1, 2015
    90
    Life is Strange is a potential masterpiece that is just beginning to break out of its proverbial cocoon.
  3. Destructoid
    Jan 29, 2015
    85
    For now, we're left with our first glimpse at Arcadia Bay, our initial look into the life of Max. It was a slow, yet well-paced initial chapter that set the table more than anything else.
  5. InsideGamer.nl
    Feb 3, 2015
    83
    Life is Strange needs a bit of time to get going, but the very nice atmosphere and fun dialogue make this introduction worth while. We do hope the lip sync will be better in the following episodes.
  6. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Mar 10, 2015
    80
    Clumsy dialogue aside, this first episode of Life is Strange is a brilliant introduction to a story we can't wait to see the rest of. [Issue#121, p.76]
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  7. ZTGD
    Feb 11, 2015
    80
    Fans of the Telltale adventure games and people looking for something unique in terms of storytelling and mechanics should really give Life is Strange a shot.
  8. Worth Playing
    Feb 11, 2015
    80
    There's a lot of interesting setup in the first episode of Life is Strange, and this is a great start.
  9. Eurogamer Germany
    Feb 4, 2015
    80
    I definitely want to know what happens next and what consequences my actions will have. And if that's your assessment of a season opener, the developers must have done something quite right.
  10. Eurogamer Portugal
    Feb 4, 2015
    80
    Life is Strange is more like an intriguing TV show than action movie, which makes this adventure game quite special.
  11. XGN
    Feb 3, 2015
    80
    Life is Strange doesn't captivate you as quickly as the Telltale episodic games can, but it has a less linear and more unique atmosphere nonetheless. In about three hours you'll discover a fascinating story that makes you hungry for the coming episodes.
  12. TheSixthAxis
    Feb 2, 2015
    80
    The visuals paint a solid, and often beautiful world, and despite the occasional misstep in the dialogue or execution Dontnod have the beginnings of a worthy and memorable entry in the adventure game genre.
  13. MondoXbox
    Feb 1, 2015
    80
    This first episode for Dontnod's new series shows us a mature-themed teen drama with strong narration and some good ideas, even if still just touched on. A good first chapter worth a try for anyone who loves graphic adventures like the Telltale ones, which major downside is the complete lack of any Italian localization for non-English speaking gamers.
  14. Xbox Achievements
    Jan 30, 2015
    80
    Life is Strange Episode 1: Chrysalis is an engaging and enjoyable first instalment in what promises to be a compelling adventure series. If subsequent episodes can live up to what Dontnod has started, we're in for a treat.
  15. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Mar 4, 2015
    70
    Its sledgehammer subtlety is balanced by a genuinely good heart. [March 2015, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Telegraph
    Feb 7, 2015
    70
    There is a lot that Life Is Strange does well. It is offbeat and interesting, if a little rough around the edges. And with the seed of a mystery planted by the end of the episode, there is enough here to be optimistic about the remaining episodes.
  17. Gamestyle
    Feb 2, 2015
    70
    An interesting opening to what will hopefully grow to be something quite special.
  18. GameSpot
    Jan 29, 2015
    70
    [Time reversal is] a nifty effect at first, but the rewind as a whole undermines one of the formula's most treasured elements: ownership of your decisions.
  19. IGN
    Feb 2, 2015
    65
    Archetypal characters with weak lines and worse delivery don’t ruin everything, but they make it harder to buy into a story that’s trying so hard to have heart.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
68
#68 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 118
  3. Negative: 11 out of 118
  1. Greedsin
    Jan 31, 2015
    9
    Life Is Strange takes notes from Telltales playbook and use's them properly while still coming out with something still worth while to playLife Is Strange takes notes from Telltales playbook and use's them properly while still coming out with something still worth while to play through. Everything from it's art style, story and gameplay blends together perfectly well leaving you wanting more by the time the episode ends.

    Life Is Strange fellows Max Caulfield, a photographer who learns that she has the ability to reverse time by simply raising her hand after witnessing someone being killed in front of her. I would go on about the story but it's far to nice for me to ruin it for you so i'll leave it to that.

    I hate talking about graphics in a game, specially in this generation of games, but I have to talk about how nice the game really looks. The art style of Life Is Strange is water painting style, flushed with rich color that makes everything look so good. There were times I wished I purchase the game on Steam so I could get see just how nice the game can look. You shows they truly put allot of love into the art style of the game and with each character as well, giving each and every person there own personality.

    Gameplay wise the game plays similar to many Telltale Games. You can move freely in the area's your in and read/look at everything the world has to offer. Being able to go from one area to another makes the game feel more open then it is which is a nice touch. Interacting with characters is pretty much the same as most Telltale Games, i'll be pointing out allot of stuff about Telltale games through out this review with a reason at the end so bare with me. With a open option of dialogue to select from it feels normal but mixed with the ability to reverse time you are given the ability to change things you say or interact with people. It's only briefly touched on n the first episode but mixing the ability to control time with conversations can completely change how things turn out like not knowing the answer to a question, learning it from someone else then reversing time to give them the correct answer. It's simple in the first episode and briefly touched on but it's great. The only part about the time ability was that at some talking sections of the game you are unable to reverse time at all. It was a little odd to see this come up more then I thought would happen but in some cases it made sense, but the time ability isn't just for conversations either.

    Time reversal can be used for three things, speech, puzzles, choices. With the speech section already explained the puzzle's are what will keep the game interesting depending on how far they go with them in future episodes since yet again there are not many with in the first episode and the ones that are there are not that hard to figure out. The puzzles they shown with in the first episode were basic stuff, most of the puzzles only take about two to three steps to finish which is a shame since it looks as if they could have done more with in the episode.

    The last is choice and it's the most simple of the three. In all Telltale Games they leave the players a big choice here and there with in a episode and depending on what choice you make can effect the story down the road. It is pretty much the same thing here except instead of sticking with your choice you can see what just happens in each choice before picking the one you wish to go with. It is nice to see what could happen but in a way it sort of gives away the surprise a little for future plays.

    The only real downfall for me with this Episode was the fact that it was not as long as I thought it would be. With the so many things to find, read and interact with it's still playable around two hours which isn't bad but it really does leave you wanting more in a single play through.

    At this point you can pretty much tell I've been comparing this game more to Telltale Games then anything else and let's be honest here, there really aren't that many developers out there that make these sorts of games until now. Other developers like Capcom with there upcoming Resident Evil Revelation 2 and Access Games with D4 are starting to try out new idea's for episodic games which is great if done correctly. As for now tho, Life Is Strange is heading in the right direction with it's amazing art style, story and gameplay. The only thing that held this game back from a higher score was the length of the episode it's self.

    With that said I will happily give this game a 9/10.

    Pro:
    -Amazing art style
    -Interesting Story
    -Well Used Time Abilities

    Cons:
    -Just A Little To Short    … Full Review »
  2. RAGE7788
    Feb 5, 2015
    9
    RAGE7788
    Feb 5, 2015
    9 This game features high school related drama from the perspective of a teenage girl. I HATE stories like this    RAGE7788
    Feb 5, 2015
    9
    This game features high school related drama from the perspective of a teenage girl. I HATE stories like this typically, however the writing, art design, and atmosphere is done so well it will win you over. It tells a very human story while exploring the supernatural. The characters you interact with are entertaining and the story has a lot of heart to it. You are given the opportunity to make several decisions that will impact future episodes, which gives you significant input over the direction of the story. The time travel mechanic is used so well in this game as you try to solve puzzles, rewinding time to manipulate people and objects to your advantage. It is a great buy for $5, i am happily surprised and i am waiting for the next episode!!    … Full Review »
  3. haloboyscp
    Jan 31, 2015
    9
    It's amazing.
    Perhaps it just really looks too short.
    But anyways in this one you definitely feel you have to play it again one more time.    It's amazing.
    Perhaps it just really looks too short.
    But anyways in this one you definitely feel you have to play it again one more time.
    Story telling is simply amazing.    … Full Review »
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