Life Is Strange was one of the surprise releases of 2015: a teen drama aimed with pin-point precision at this author's heart – only for everyone else to fall in love with it and ruin his whole "hipster gamer" façade. The game proved so successful on digital platforms that Square Enix has decided to release a retail version, and perhaps sensing that it will be able to convince idiots like yours truly to double dip, it's hella good.
The set – which launched today in North America and Europe – comes in a nice box, and includes a copy of the entire series on Blu-ray, a hard cover art book, and a CD soundtrack. The game also boasts a director's commentary, but don't worry if you already bought the digital version, because developer DONTNOD's patched that in to all copies of the release. Considering that it's selling for £24.99/$39.99 on Amazon, it's a lavish package.
The Ladybird-esque art book gives you a look at the unique vibe that the dev captures in the game
The art book – masquerading as protagonist Max Caulfield's journal – is particularly nice, featuring various character concept sketches, full-scale paintings of some of the game's most poignant moments, and lots of iconography from the release, including witty slogans and snazzy t-shirt designs. It's only 30 or so pages long, but the Ladybird-esque book gives you a quick look at the unique vibe that the developer so successfully captures in the game.
However, if you're already intimately familiar with the artwork on tragic accomplice Chloe Price's arms, then you'll probably be picking this up for the soundtrack. Featuring 14 of the licensed songs from the core campaign, as well as a bunch of tracks from composer Jonathan Morali's soft rock score, you get over an hour's worth of navel gazing acoustic sounds here, which are really rather nice.
Purely because we need to add a bit of meat to this article in order to justify tagging it as a 'Feature', we've included a fool-proof, Graham Banas unapproved, iTunes 'Hearts' review of the tracks that we reckon are good:
So yeah, this is a nice little collection for an interesting little game. Alright, the ending episode is more unhinged than a school principle who allows his pupils to guzzle booze and snort cocaine around the campus swimming pool, but the rest of the adventure hits some real highs. If you're desperate for something a little out of the ordinary, then you know what to do – otherwise you can, like y'know, go f*** yourselfie. Obvs!
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Comments 16
I enjoyed the game a lot and the soundtrack played a role in that. Looks like they have done a decent job on this package and its worth it. Defintaly be picking this up. It is £22.99 at Zavvi inc free postage.
For that price it's hard to say no, haven't played it yet either so very tempted
At least they give you some music to go along with all that walking....
Decided to get this retail copy after hearing it's praise on Kinda Funny podcast (and of course here at pushsquare )
Preordered for £24 on Amazon with all the extra stuff. Definitely a steal!
Can't wait to play it!
Haha definitely a great game. I got it on PC, but I totally recommend anyone that has a PS4 to get it. It's awesome and these physical goodies are a nice bonus.
Yall say it's good - then you've got a buy here.
I gave up on this after a couple of very frustrating hours when it became more and more apparent that the game gives you no control over what happens.
It also excessively pens you in to what you can do, even when there's no obvious reason why (eg you can't walk through open doors unless that's the exact part of plot you're currently at, even though you can watch others come and go through the same door).
*********** Spoiler alert *******************
Also, turning back time seemed pretty cool until it became obvious that you can only do this at specific points in the story (when the linear plot dictated that it was OK, or mandatory as it usually tured out to be) .
A pretty game but also pretty dull IMO.
I'm so glad this got some attention last year and that it's getting a physical release. This is an awesome package too.
Also, co-director Michel Koch was a pleasure to chat to at EGX Rezzed last year.
@Pipr really? I can't forgive thing's like that in my game's. I genuinely hope you all enjoy it but this is definately not for me it sound's like more effort has been put into the story than the game.
Very tempted to pick this up, I've been thinking about playing Life is Strange for ages. It may finally be time!
Can't say the game appeals to me, but the artwork on that CD is great! Really nice package that.
Really starting to enjoy what episodic games offer. Play through an episode, then you can have a decent break. Normally if I go back to a game after too long I've forgotten why I was playing it.
Picked this up yesterday. Also waiting for Telltales' Batman this year.
@ChoZanWan agreed. Although, as I bought all 5 episodes in one hit, after episode 2's conclusion, I simply couldn't put it down. Ended up playing the whole thing in a few days... Cos you know, life got in the way.
For me, this was in many ways GOTY 2015, and that's in the same year I played and absolutely LOVED Bloodborne and Witcher 3 (and MGS5). I mean, there's little actual gameplay, but dat story doe...haunted me for days after I finished it in a way that hadn't happened since I finished the Mass Effect trilogy.
Looks like a nice package and good value, but I really don't think I'd be into this at all... Would be nice if they put a little demo on like Telltales GOT(Always thought I'd hate a Telltale game but I got quite into it) which I ended up buying a second episode for and am really considering buying it all if it's still on sale, what does every body think of GOT over the 6 episodes?
Can I buy this at Gamestop??
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