Life is Strange 2

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Life is Strange 2

Developer: Dontnod Entertainment

Publisher: Square Enix

Director: Michael Koch; Raoul Barbet

Release date: This game consisted of five episodes released at different points spanning from 2018-2019

ESRB Rating: M for Mature

Genre: Magical Realism; Race

Format: Video Game

Platform: Microsoft Windows; Playstation 4; Xbox One; macOS; Linux

Awards or Honors: 

• Ping Awards for Special Jury Prize (2018)
• Pegases Award for Best Narrative Design (2020)
• 16th British Academy Games Awards for Performer in a Leading Role - Gonzalo Martin as Sean Diaz (2020)

Audience/Interest level: 

Kids on Common Sense Media have this game rated for ages 13+, out of 13 reviews. Parents rate it at 16+ out of five reviews. Overall, the 16+ rating would probably be more accurate, because of some of the serious life decisions the characters in the game have to make. This game wants the player to care about the characters and to really think about their decisions.

Game background: 

The first Life is Strange game was a critical and commercial success. It told the story of two teenage girls that were best friends. The game starts with Chloe being murdered by a bullet, and Max rewinding time to save her friend. With her newfound powers to manipulate time Max and Chloe investigate the disappearance of Chloe's girlfriend Rachel Amber. This is also a great game that I recommend.

For the follow up, Dontnod entertainment wanted a new story to tell. They looked for a "road movie structure in contrast to the original game" (Life is Strange 2, 2021), The game receives an added video game element, with Daniel's telekinetic powers. This is far from an action game though. Players are tasked with deciding what dialogue and morality choices Sean will make, and that affects the world around him.

Speed-Round Table Talk:

16-year-old Sean, and his little brother Daniel are on the run from the police after Daniel unwittingly unleashes his telekinetic abilities and injures a police officer. As Daniel's power grows, Sean must train him to control it, while also serving as Daniel's moral compass. The pair seek to cross the border to Mexico but there will be many trials and tribulations along the way. It is up to you to keep the pair alive, and out of jail, long enough to find their way.

Reason for Inclusion:

The game involves making tough life choices along the way, and learning from the consequences of those decisions. It is also a game about brothers, and their bond. Daniel, at 16, is forced to grow up fast, and now he must teach Daniel to make good decisions, and help him to grow up with a strong moral compass.

Plot Summary:

The game centers around 16-year-old Sean Diaz. He lives in Seattle with his father Esteban, and his 9-year-old brother Daniel. 

The game begins with Sean and Daniel on the run from the police after an incident. Sean must make decisions that will decide the future for both himself and Daniel.

Things are further complicated by the discovery that Daniel has telekinetic abilities, and as he grows accustomed to using them, they only get stronger.

Critical Evaluation:

The game really places the player into the shoes of 16-year-old Sean Diaz. After a tragic incident, Sean has to grow up quickly, because he has to take care of his little brother. The decisions he makes are given even more importance because Daniel has powerful telekinetic abilities, and Sean must make decisions that affect Daniel's morality.

The game covers instances of racism against Sean's Mexican American character, and involves coming-of-age issues concerning Sean. Sean is forced to make adult decisions often, and the player is forced to really contemplate their decisions because they will affect the story in different ways.

There are many paths this game can take, depending on the choices of the player, and that is the true wonder of this game.

Creative Use for a Library Program:

Decisions made in the game affect the characters future. This seems like a good tie-in for a diced based role playing game similar to Dungeons and Dragons. I would buy a kit that would allow library staff to create our own scenario's for the game. 

Potential Challenge Issues:

The game does have violence in it, with a very disturbing incident of a familial death by gunshot. There are also several instances of characters using profanity, and the use of marijuana and references to sex. The game is highly dramatized but it does deal with larger issues of race, and is an excellent coming-of-age story. Common Sense Media rates the game for 16+, and parents should know the contents of the game ahead of time.