In the game Life Is Strange, teenagers can rewind time.

Life is Strange

Platform(s):

PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Release Date:

January 2015

Genre:

Mystery, Point-and-Click Adventure, Puzzle, Visual/Audio/Interactive Novel

Creators:

Dontnod Entertainment, Square Enix

M (Mature, 17+)

Violence
Blood
Sexual Themes
Strong Language
Use of Drugs

PC
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Life is Strange is an episodic game that takes place in a small town. The protagonist is a high school girl who finds out she can rewind time. (We will be updating this entry as new episodes of the game are released.)

Great Characters

Great Graphics/Art

Great Music

Great Story

Click a title to learn more about each topic.

Story & Themes

Life is Strange begins with an 18-year-old high school student named Max, who has recently transferred back to her small hometown after living in Seattle for years. Max loves photography and hopes to make a career out of her dream. One seemingly normal day at school, she witnesses--while hiding in the bathroom--a girl being shot by another classmate. Max panics and ends up accidentally rewinding time to a point before the murder; she has no idea how she's managed to do it, but finds that she has some control over the newfound ability, and decides that she must save the girl before tragedy strikes once more.

Save Points

Save Points occur intermittently, but sometimes there's a fair amount of time between points.

Heads Up!

Violence Violence does occur, but meaningfully--when a student is shot, the narrative treats the event realistically, with an appropriate amount of fear and remorse experienced by characters. Max typically does not commit acts of violence.

Scary Imagery One scene depicts a girl being shot in a school bathroom.

Sex & Nudity There are references to sex and sexting. There is also a scene that heavily implies sexual assault having happened in the past.

Strong Language There's a good amount of strong language in this game, including gendered slurs. (Though we'd be remiss not to point out that it takes place in a high school setting--while you will hear a lot of swearing, you would likely hear the same in a real high school.)

Substance Use Drugs and drinking (underage) are present in this game.

Conversation Starters

If you're in high school, what did you find was most realistic about the setting? What was least realistic? Does Max's experience mirror your own in any way?
What would you do if you found yourself in a similar situation (witnessing a student shooting someone)?
Do you think this game more accurately depicts a teenager's lived experience than most, or were you unimpressed with the depiction?

Heads Up!

Genre:

Mystery, Point-and-Click Adventure, Puzzle, Visual/Audio/Interactive Novel

Interests / Subjects:

Anime,
Art (Painting, Drawing, etc.),
Music,
Mysteries,
Occult,
Photography,
Reading,
Social Justice

COMPETENCIES / INTELLIGENCIES:

Communication skills,
Critical thinking,
Emotional intelligence,
Ethics,
Mental health,
Reading,
Strategy

REGION OF ORIGIN:

Europe

ONLINE PLAY:

Cannot be played online

DIFFICULTY SETTINGS:

N/A

Violence:

3 / 5

Scary Imagery:

2 / 5

Sex & Nudity:

3 / 5

Strong Language:

5 / 5

Substance use:

4 / 5

Story & Themes

Save Points

Heads Up!

Conversation Starters

Genre:

Interests / Subjects:

COMPETENCIES / INTELLIGENCIES:

REGION OF ORIGIN:

ONLINE PLAY:

DIFFICULTY SETTINGS:

Violence:

Scary Imagery:

Sex & Nudity:

Strong Language:

Substance use:

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