Life is Strange: Double Exposure is putting players back in the shoes of Max Caulfield, the iconic protagonist of the original Life is Strange. And as if that’s not exciting enough, this time she’ll be armed with an all-new power: the ability to enter alternate timelines in which certain characters are still alive. 

From the trailers and teasers that Deck Nine has given us, we know that Max will use her new power to solve the mysterious murder of her friend Safi. However, the ability to enter alternate timelines opens up seemingly infinite possibilities for other Life is Strange characters to return. It also leads us to ask the all-important question- will Chloe be in Double Exposure? We’re pretty sure Deck Nine is playing their cards close to the chest and has some exciting surprises in store for us.

10. Joyce Price

Even if you chose the Bae over Bay ending to the first Life is Strange, the powers that Max has in Double Exposure could theoretically allow for key characters from her past to make a return. Though Joyce is Chloe’s mom and not Max’s, she is still an important figure in Max’s childhood. A few texts, emails, or postcards from Joyce could be a good way to link the new game with the classic one. 

9. Chris Eriksen

Chris is the imaginative main character of The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit who also plays a key role in Life is Strange 2. We don’t have any confirmation on exactly when Double Exposure takes place, but he might now be about the right age to be a college student at Caledon University, where Max is a photographer-in-residence.

8. Skip Matthews

Skip Matthews is a security guard at Blackwell Academy in Before the Storm who makes music on the side. Hopefully, his band PissHead made it big, and Max will hear their tunes on the radio. It would certainly bring back some of that classic Life Is Strange spirit and would be a nice lighthearted touch.

7. Max’s Parents

We don’t know much about Max’s family; they only appear in the original Life is Strange via text messages. But Double Exposure has the opportunity to open up the mystery of their characters a bit more, as it might give Max an even more complex backstory. Regardless of the choices you made and the ending you selected, it seems most reasonable for them to still be in contact with Max and want the best for her.

6. Alex Chen

The main character of Life is Strange: True Colors is a deeply empathetic, caring person who has a personality that would blend well with Max’s. It would be nice to find out more about what’s happened to her since the events of True Colors, and even if her appearance is just in the background, it would likely aid in establishing a more fully intertwined Life is Strange timeline.

5. William Price

Chloe’s dad William is a key figure in the Arcadia Bay chapters of Life is Strange, despite the fact that he passed away before the games began. If we’re opening up alternate timelines, we’d love to see one in which Chloe and William are both present together- though maybe that’s just wishful thinking. If we do see William again, Deck Nine has to be careful to ensure that his return doesn’t retract the importance of the original game’s story.

4. Hawt Dog Man

Hawt Dog Man is an icon of the Life is Strange franchise who’s in every game and timeline. There’s no way his mustard-loving self won’t return in some form or another, and no way he wasn't going to nab a spot on this list.

3. Rachel Amber

Major spoilers for the first game ahead- no matter how you play the original Life is Strange, you can’t save Rachel Amber. Her presence, however, hangs over the entire game to the point where Max can almost feel it, despite never having met her. In the Life is Strange comics, Max is able to meet Rachel in an alternate reality. What if a similar scenario was possible with Max’s new power? I’d love to see how the two would interact.

2. Kate Marsh

Kate Marsh is a fellow student that Max cares deeply about in the first game, and so it would, of course, be great to see her or hear from her again in Double Exposure. Her storyline is also the first to truly show players just how powerful Max’s rewind powers are and how much of a difference your choices make in the Life is Strange universe.

1. Chloe Price

And now for the question we all want answered- will Chloe be in Double Exposure? In one of the preview scenes for Double Exposure, we find out that Max is keeping a photo of Chloe close but that her friend Safi doesn’t know Chloe. This implies that Max might be keeping her past a secret or that she hopes to escape it. Perhaps the latter is more likely since we now find Max on the other side of the country from where she grew up. Years have passed since the first game, and I think it’s fair to say that Double Exposure's Chloe, if she appears, will have to be a very different character than the one we saw in Arcadia Bay. 

We’re excited to see what Square Enix and Deck Nine have in store for us when Double Exposure releases on October 29th, 2024.

The post 10 Life is Strange Characters We Want to See Return in Double Exposure appeared first on Destructoid.

Release Date: August 27, 2020
Developer: DONTNOD Entertainment
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Article Reading Time: 4 minutes

Tell Me Why is free on Steam until July 1

Exciting News for Gamers on Steam!

We @Weplaygames.net are thrilled to share that the award-winning strong touching story adventure game, Tell Me Why developed by DONTNOD Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios, is free on Steam until July 1, 2024. This limited-time promotion allows you to dive into an emotionally gripping story without spending a dime!

1. You can visit the Tell Me Why Steam page.
2. Click the “Add to Account” button to permanently add the game to your Steam library.
3. Download and Play: Enjoy the game at your convenience.

Game is also Available for Free on Xbox Game Pass

For those with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, Tell Me Why is free for your console and PC . Download the game or play directly from cloud on your devices like handhelds. This means you can enjoy the game as part of your subscription without any additional cost. Access it through the Xbox Game Pass Catalog and start playing.

Why Tell Me Why?

Tell Me Why Game is a captivating episodic adventure that delves into the bond between twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan. Using their supernatural connection, they explore and uncover the mysteries of their troubled past in a small Alaskan town. Known for its rich storytelling and strong characters, the game lets players make impactful choices that shape the narrative.

DONTNOD Entertainment, the creators of Life is Strange, featured Tyler Ronan, a transgender character voiced by August Black. This representation is authentic and respectful, adding depth to the story without overshadowing it. The game’s stunning Alaskan setting and engaging puzzles immerse you in the twins’ world, offering insights into their fantasy realm, “The Book of Goblins.” With beautiful visuals and a heartfelt story, “Tell Me Why” invites players to explore themes of identity, memory, and family in a deeply human way.

Hurry Up or Wait with Pride!

This offer is available only until July 1, 2024 on Steam, so take advantage of your chance to experience this powerful narrative adventure for free. Keep an eye on our site for updates on upcoming freebies and game reviews. Or wait a year as this game honors Pride supporting LGBT communities making this for free.

The post Tell Me Why: For Free on Steam Until 1st July or Available Anytime with Xbox Ultimate appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

We recently saw the official reveal of the next Life is Strange game. Life is Strange: Double Exposure follows original heroine Max as she solves a murder mystery using her new powers to explore parallel universes. While we love Max, we can’t help but feel like making her the star of another game is an odd choice. Here are five reasons Life is Strange: Double Exposure made the wrong choice bringing back Max.

5. Bringing Max Back Makes The First Game Too Important

To be clear, Max is a wonderful character. Life is Strange is a beautiful game, and it wouldn’t have been the same with anyone else in the lead. However, the decision to bring her back makes her – and by extension, the Arcadia Bay storyline – feel too important.

We’ve had quite the wait for another Life Is Strange game since the release of True Colors, but we’ve finally got another exciting entry coming at the end of 2024 with Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. In this return, we’ll play the fan-loved character, Max, who we were first introduced to in the initial Life Is Strange game. However, fans didn’t quite recognize her in the trailer.

Max has a slightly different look for the upcoming game. Although her hair color and length are about the same, she’s missing her iconic blunt bangs and prominent freckles. This immediately triggered a response from fans, who called out and hated these changes to the original character we all know and love. However, I personally feel like there are some excellent reasons behind the changes, and, ultimately, they are doing nothing else but breathing new life into Max.

The post Max Caulfield’s New Life Is Strange Look Doesn’t Deserve the Hate appeared first on GameSkinny.

Title: Life is Strange: True Colors
Developer: Deck Nine Publisher: Square Enix
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Released: September 10, 2021 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC;  December 7, 2021: Nintendo Switch
Article Reading Time: 9 minutes

True Colors of Haven Springs

Life is Strange: True Colors serves as an excellent entry point for newcomers to the franchise, thanks to its standalone story and relatable protagonist. However, seasoned fans will find familiar themes, gameplay mechanics, and subtle callbacks to previous games that enrich the experience. But no worries, Life is Strange: True Colors can be enjoyed without knowledge of three previous installments.

Having previously played the first Life is Strange, its prequel titled Before The Storm, and the sequel Life is Strange 2, I have to confess I fell in love with the emotional world full of unexpected twists and turns and difficult decisions that these games offer. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to immerse myself once again in this captivating series. I am excited about the latest Life is Strange series installment.

For those who have yet to hear of Life is Strange, it is an episodic graphic interactive story adventure game that is not particularly surprising in gameplay as it follows the tradition of previous installments. Still, the better pace of the story, along with containing a lot of decision sequences and frequent content of cutscenes and cutscenes forming the vast majority of the game, and between these sequences, the player can move around the visually very charming available locations in a visual treatment reminiscent of, for example, the games from The Walking Dead series by Telltale Games.

Alex Chen: From Family Heartache to Mystical Might

In this game, the protagonist is a young girl named Alex Chen. She has gone through a lot of hardships in her childhood, as she lost her mother to cancer and her father left home. This unfortunate turn of events has led to her separation from her older brother, Gabe.

After spending many years in orphanages and foster homes, Alex, now an adult, is excited to finally reunite with her brother Gabe in Haven Springs, Colorado. Upon arriving in the small town, she quickly becomes close to her brother and other local community members. She even finds a place to live, making her dream of having a natural home a reality. However, as is typical in the Life is Strange series, things turn dark when a tragedy occurs, leading Alex and her brother on a quest for the truth. Their investigation involves the local mining company Typhoon, responsible for the Uranium mining operation in the Haven Springs area.

Choices and Consequences

As you explore Haven Springs in this game, you will come across various places like a music store, a florist, a pharmacy, and the Black Lantern bar and restaurant. The town is visually appealing, with intricate details and a vibrant atmosphere. The game’s decision-making system plays a significant role in the gameplay, and every choice you make has consequences. However, I must admit that later in the story, the game does not follow through on its promise of impactful decision-making despite displaying the “your choice will have consequences” message in the top corner of the screen.

I instead got the impression that this was not always the case. Quite often, these consequences were not actually wholly consequences but just changed the final dialogue with certain characters and so on, which gave me the unwanted feeling that I didn’t have as much influence on setting the direction of the story as the game at first glance claimed. However, the story itself was very good, but in short, I felt slightly robbed of that feeling of “control over the action.” Another thing that influenced my view of the story is the fact that several familiar moments and situations could be seen in previous works, Specifically from the first Life is Strange and its prequel Before The Storm, which, as a die-hard fan, at first, I was very pleased with and had a strong sense of nostalgia, but later when it was my turn to think more deeply I wasn’t too happy with this decision by the developers DeckNine. Instead, it gave me the feeling that the developers were trying to feed on the fame of the already mentioned previous episodes, but on the other hand, I have to say that it didn’t hurt the story, and still, True Colors kept its own identity and uniqueness in terms of narrative, independent from the previous episodes.

Empathy’s Double-Edged Sword: Gift and Curse

The last and perhaps the most essential thing related to the gameplay that I must in no way leave out and that is necessary for Life is Strange
is the supernatural ability of the protagonist. Alex has had a “curse,” as she calls it, since birth, and that is that she can feel other people’s emotions and, in a way, read thoughts through them, such as sadness, anger, fear, or joy… An aura of a different color also depicts each emotion depending on the type of emotion. If a person is experiencing an emotion very strongly, Alex can feel and experience these emotions partly herself, which may not always be as lovely in practice as it sounds. For Alex, this can be a severe problem in places, which hurts her psyche.

Alex’s empathy can be both a gift and a burden. While it allows her to connect with others profoundly, it can also overwhelm her. There are moments when her inability to shield herself from strong emotions leads to internal conflict and difficult choices – should she prioritize helping others even at the risk of personal distress? Her powers become central to not only to unraveling the mystery in Haven Springs but also offer poignant commentary on the challenges of being highly empathetic.

True Colors of Sounscape

After the gameplay, we move on to the following extensive domain of the Life is Strange series: the music. This has always been the royal discipline of these games, and with Life is Strange True Colors, it is no different.
Fans will probably agree that I’ve heard better soundtracks in other titles, but that doesn’t change the fact that the game maintains its excellent standard within the brand. The choice of licensed music throughout the game is hilarious and enjoyable and often works well in the specific moments of the game in which the songs are set, as we are used to with the rest of the series.

While True Colors maintains the series’ affinity for emotive indie music, it deviates slightly from the melancholic melodies that defined its predecessors. Songs by artists like Novo Amor and Angus & Julia Stone provide a familiar touch, but the soundtrack often leans towards brighter, pop-infused tracks. This musical shift reflects Alex’s personality, which is more hopeful and outwardly expressive than the introspective protagonists of earlier games. However, fans who deeply connected with the poignant, almost haunting scores of the first Life is Strange or Before the Storm might find True Colors’ soundtrack lacks the same thematic depth and nostalgic resonance that so powerfully underscored their narratives.

Another Valued Game Added to the Life is Strange Series

Despite the shortcomings such as vulgarly speaking “robbing” other parts of the series, although not to a great extent and not always convincing decision-making system in which the player does not seem to have as much power as he would like, it is still a good story adventure game with a sympathetic protagonist, interesting supernatural abilities and a thrilling story which is complemented by an enjoyable soundtrack which still makes this game a title I can still recommend very highly.

Buy Life is Strange: True Colors
PlayStation Store . Xbox Store . Steam . Nintendo Switch

By the way, quiz question: who do you like the most, Alex, Ellie from Last of Us or Amicia from Plague Tale ?

The post Life is Strange: True Colors – Will Alex’s Secret Tear the Town Apart? appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home of Top Gamers.

Když jsem se poprvé dozvěděl, že vývojáři stojící za sérií Life is Strange pracují na zcela nové IP, měl jsem radost a nemohl se dočkat dalších detailů. O několik měsíců později jsem měl možnost vyzkoušet si Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden na německém Gamescomu a na našem webu jsme vám přinesli první dojmy. Jakým směrem se hra posunula, kdo jsou lovci duchů a povedl se studiu Don’t Nod přechod do zcela jiného žánru?

Recenzovaná verze: PlayStation 5

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden je single-playerová příběhová akce, kde jsou hlavními postavami zamilování Antea Duarte a Red mac Raith. Tito lovci duchů, chcete-li vymítači, cestují po Severní Americe a výměnou za nějaký ten dollar pomáhají místním s problémy, jenž mají něco společného s nadpřirozenem. Ačkoliv je takový život těžký, Red ani Antea si nestěžují – mají jeden druhého a jejich láska nezná hranic, a to doslova.

Jednoho dne se totiž dostanou k další fušce v jedné nepříliš malebné vísce. Místní jsou prokletí, zdají se jim pravidelně noční můry a ti, kterým zbylo ještě trochu rozumu utekli do New Eden. Vše nabere nečekaný spád a oba lovci se tváří v tvář setkávají s něčím, na co nebyli připraveni. Tragické podcenění situace vyústí v Anteinu smrt a Redův pád ze skály. Zatímco mužská polovička tohoto zvláštního páru přežije, tak Antea takové štěstí neměla. Proměnila se v jednoho z těch duchů, které ze srdce nenávidí. Díky svým znalostem se milencům krátce na to podaří spolu navázat kontakt a tím začíná příběh, který jsem si plnými doušky užíval po celou dobu testování.

Jako Banisher vstoupíte do života mnoha lidí, kteří se v New Eden často potýkají s problémy, které nejsou schopni sami zvládnout. Pochválit zde musím to, jakým způsobem jsou napsány samostatné questy i postavy. Ty mají často jisté vedlejší úmysly a mnohdy se tak situace vyvrbí poněkud jinak, než se na první pohled mohlo zdát.

Příběh Reda a Antei není jen obyčejnou duchařinou, ale také intimní cestou dvou lidí za společným cílem, na níž musí překonat řadu nepředstavitelných překážek. Mezi kterými vyčnívá otázka morálky. Antea totiž přizná Redovi, že existuje způsob, jak ji přivézt zpět co světa živých. A zde se zastavím… Pokud vám jméno studia, které za hrou stojí, není cizí, tak jistě tušíte, že příběhová náplň Banishers je tou nejsilnější stránkou hry. Je tomu vskutku tak a byla by velká škoda se pokračování zápletky dozvědět z druhé ruky. Prozradit vám ještě můžu skutečnost, že hra má několik různých konců, které se odemknou v závislosti na vašich rozhodnutích.

Ne všichni duchové a obyvatelé jsou v Ghosts of New Eden špatní a často je to právě na vás, abyste nastalou situaci rozsoudili. Standardně máte na výběr ze tří možností.

Sacrifice – Výběrem této možnosti označíte viníka, jemuž následně za jeho činy odeberete duši. Co s to duší pak budete dělat je jen na vás.

Banish – Jednoznačně ta nejkrutější volba. Nešťastníkova duše bude navždy uvržena do absolutního prázdna, kde bude navěky bloudit a trpět.

Ascend – Touto volbou osvobodíte ducha od věčného smutku a obdarujete jej věčným klidem.

Jak jsem již zmínil výše, vaše volby v každičké situaci budou mít vliv na to, jak váš příběh skončí. Jeden průchod by vám měl zabrat okolo 20 hodin v závislosti na chuti plnit vedlejší questy. 

Během nahánění živých i mrtvých prevítů se často dostanete do situace, kdy vám slova stačit nebudou. Soubojový systém mi ze začátku hry nepřišel příliš intuitivní a chvíli mu trvalo, než se mi dostal pod kůži. Levelováním postavy si odemykáte zbraně a všemožné body ve stromě dovedností. Časem tak je vše jednoduší, svižnější a přirozenější. Obě postavy se navíc naučí i umění spolupráce a to se pak ze soubojů stane i zajímavá vizuální podívaná. Zde musím smeknout před vývojáři z Don’t Nod, kterým se podařilo vytvořit hru, která co do grafického ztvárnění potěší i náročnější hráče. Během hraní jsem oceňoval krásné scenérie, design nepřátel a celkovou mapu, která je tvořena několika biomy. Stále se ovšem jedná o relativně malé studio a tak jsou místy k vidění méně kvalitní animace či nevypovídající mimika obličejů.

Během testování se mi na mysl často drala hra God of War, ze které se vývojáři jednoznačně inspirovali, a to na několika frontách. Nejvíce je to cítit na kameře, která je umístěna hned za ovládanou postavou. Stejně tak její úhel odpovídá při přeskakování překážek, lezení po římsách, šplhání atd. Zmínit bych měl i soubojový systém, který taktéž místy připomínal Kratovo řádění. Stejně jako God of War z roku 2018 působí Banishers i přes nižší rozpočet svěže, kinematograficky a především souboje s bossy či videa na koncích hry jsou prostě epické.

Ačkoliv hra nese ve jméně jen název města New Eden, tak se můžete těšit na rozlehlý polootevřený svět, po kterém se budete moci volně pohybovat. Rozloha by tak napovídala, že si vývojáři dali záležet na řádné výplni, která bude naše hráčské hlavičky zaměstnávat a bavit. S onou náplní jsem ale spokojen příliš nebyl. Možná za to může nové Like a Dragon, které jsem testoval zároveň s Banishers, možná za to prostě může nedostatek vedlejších aktivit. Extra nášup by si taktéž zasloužili nepřátelé, kteří sice vypadají originálně, ale je jich žalostně málo a rychle se zajídají.

Na konec musím vyzdvihnout výkony herců v hlavních rolích. Antea je zde zosobněna skvělou Amakou Okafor a o Reda se postaral herec Russ Bain. Ten přidal Redovi do vínku také skvělý skotský přízvuk.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden je pro mě příjemným překvapením. Studio Don’t Nod využilo své nejsilnější stránky a vyvarovalo se chyb, které tížily jejich předchozí titul, Vampyr. Unikátnímu příběhu zde sekundují skvěle napsané postavy, příjemná a atmosférická grafika, sound design a nátlak na hráče, kteří se musí rozhodovat podle svého nejlepšího svědomí. 

 

Vývojáři: Don’t Nod

Vydavatelství: Focus Home Interactive

Datum vydání: 13. 2. 2024

Česká lokalizace: Ne

Doba testování: 40+ hodin

Článek RECENZE Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden – Život živým, smrt mrtvým! se nejdříve objevil na GAME PRESS.