There should have been a high brotherhood bond/high morality ending

[Nightwalker]

I don't know what other think, or if the developer was just lazy and didn't want to add another ending. But I really really think there should have been an alternate ending if there was a high brotherhood bond and high morality rating.


If you really take a moment to think about it, if there was high brotherhood bond, then, if you told Daniel to break through the border, he could have done so in a way like "redemption" without causing harm, but also wouldn't jump out of the car because of the bond he had with his brother. It makes no sense that he'd jump out of a moving car because he both would have wanted to help and stay with his brother.

So yeah, the ending annoyed me and seemed contrary to how two people with a strong bond would behave, let alone a scared 10 year old boy with an older brother that's become a father figure. Great game, messed up endings. It shouldn't have just been based on morality. Choices are far more complex than that, and a game with moral ambiguity should have taken that into account.

Welp, we've got AI now, they could add the 5th ending and use AI to simulate the younger voice actors voices. Ha! Wouldn't that be nice? Oh I know it wouldn't happen considering how long this game has been out. We can dream, eh?

[Rachel D.]

The creators had a reason why they didn't make that ending possible because think again, that would make the game have a happy ending and it's a possibility they wanted the player to ponder on what's better rather than having both be possible.

[Nightwalker]

Oh I get that, but they are forcing an outcome that doesn't make sense, which is bad writing.

[smolNprecious]

Yeah that pissed me off too "I don't want to hurt people anymore" *proceeds to smash the car through several cops*. Like at that point just go with your brother since you ended up hurting people to help him escape anyways. it's just plain bad writing

[Nightwalker]

The only thing they got right was the excessively long sentencing for a minor --they do that crap in the USA all the time. In fact, we had one clown of a politician that was trying to make it where 14 year olds could be tried as adults and given life sentences, at least most Californian voters at the time were sane enough to strike it town. These law changes don't always make it to the people to vote on though. Yup, the US legal system is messed up. At least we're not hanging people right and left, unless you're in Texas.

But really folks Daniel should have been able to rip the guns out of the cops hands, have them spin around, putting them all in shock, pushed the cars away, and just have left and said something like "You mistrusted us. You hated us. You killed our Dad. We could have helped you, now you lost us." That ending would have made more sense, and been consistent with the way Sean and Daniel behaved in a high morality/high brotherhood bond. It still would have carried a powerful message with it.

[P1nkLem0n4d3]

What's weird is that based on the karma system, it's kind of backwards from what the player would assume when it comes to the way that it works.

[Nightwalker]

Originally posted by P1nkLem0n4d3:

What's weird is that based on the karma system, it's kind of backwards from what the player would assume when it comes to the way that it works.

Truth be told, had you turned yourself in this would have been a likely outcome outcome in most of the USA. Juvenile trials rarely ever go before a jury, and instead are tried by a single judge with their own agenda. This is one of the huge reasons why it is very important to pay attention to the judges and DA you're voting for each election cycle, because they can, and do, mess people's lives, especially kids and even custody battles.

Still, I don't think a high brotherhood/high moral Daniel would have thrown the cars at the barricade and jumped out. A high moral low brotherhood Daniel may have jumped out, but not one with a high brotherhood bond. That's why really think there should have been a 5th ending.

The path that is most natural to follow for Sean kind of does lend itself to a high brotherhood/low moral Daniel which is what will give you the blood brother's ending. I'm replaying it now from start to finish specifically for this ending.

[P1nkLem0n4d3]

Originally posted by Nightwalker:

Originally posted by P1nkLem0n4d3:

What's weird is that based on the karma system, it's kind of backwards from what the player would assume when it comes to the way that it works.

Truth be told, had you turned yourself in this would have been a likely outcome outcome in most of the USA. Juvenile trials rarely ever go before a jury, and instead are tried by a single judge with their own agenda. This is one of the huge reasons why it is very important to pay attention to the judges and DA you're voting for each election cycle, because they can, and do, mess people's lives, especially kids and even custody battles.

Still, I don't think a high brotherhood/high moral Daniel would have thrown the cars at the barricade and jumped out. A high moral low brotherhood Daniel may have jumped out, but not one with a high brotherhood bond. That's why really think there should have been a 5th ending.

The path that is most natural to follow for Sean kind of does lend itself to a high brotherhood/low moral Daniel which is what will give you the blood brother's ending. I'm replaying it now from start to finish specifically for this ending.

What I mean is that if Daniel listens to you a lot, he all of a sudden doesn't want to listen to you at all during the ending sequence, and vice versa. Sean turning himself in would certainly be a more realistic outcome, especially given that Daniel's powers wouldn't exist in the real world either, it's just odd that for the whole game, going to Mexico is stressed throughout the whole story pretty hard, which is probably why 80-90 percent of players try to go to Mexico.

[Nightwalker]

It looks like Life is Strange 2 was DONTNOD's last LIS game. They only made the two, then, from what I gather, Square Enix wanted to take artistic control over the franchise.... so this will be the last LIS game I play as well. At least it is ending on a good note.

In any case, looks like the whole point of these games is giving imperfect choices, all with imperfect outcomes. I get that, but there were other "imperfect" outcomes that would have made more sense. Regardless, I'm still glad I played this game.

[Qiana]

Originally posted by Nightwalker:

It looks like Life is Strange 2 was DONTNOD's last LIS game. They only made the two, then, from what I gather, Square Enix wanted to take artistic control over the franchise.... so this will be the last LIS game I play as well.

Well, the small prequel to "Life is Strange 2," "The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit," is technically an independent game, and so, technically, Don't Nod made three.

As for the future of the "franchise," I guess that it depends on you to decide over the "last LIS game," because, as the LIS taught us, "This Action Will Have Consequences"...

If you concentrate solely on "Life is Strange" in the title, then "Life is Strange 2" was the last Don't Nod game, but if you swap "franchise" for the more correct LIS "legacy"...

If we can trust the legends and big plans for the future, then the "Life is Strange Legacy" is alive and kicking. The same people who created LIS have big plans for the future.

Don't Nod was on the verge of bankruptcy when they created "Life is Strange." A cringy but relatable high school teen drama with two female characters in the main roles. No publisher they asked wanted to invest in such a "fail concept," and Square Enix was the only one ready to take their chance, alas, under their own terms. Don't Nod was forced to sell the franchise, and not only the game, if they wanted to prevent bankruptcy.

Fast forward: since LIS games proved to be successful, and since Don't Nod lost the "Life is Strange Franchise," but not the "Life is Strange Vision," "Life is Strange Legacy" (plans) took over. While "Twin Mirror" was more of a "Life is NOT Strange," "Tell Me Why" could easily be seen as a continuation of "Life is Strange (legacy)," "superpowers" included.

Don't Nod recently opened the second studio in Montreal (beside the one in Paris), which is supposed to build up on the past success and start the "Life is Strange Legacy."

It's the same team that worked on "Life is Strange" that created "Lost Records: Bloom and Rage," which is supposed to hit the gaming platforms some time in autumn and is supposed to be the first in a series of "Life is Strange Legacy" games.

Time will tell how well their plans will work. That said, personally, I don't expect them to be able to repeat the success of the original "Life is Strange" ever again, but despite that, that doesn't mean that we can't expect to get a few more enjoyable cringy, cheesy, poetical queer teen dramas.


⧉ References:
• https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-interview/
• https://www.eurogamer.net/life-is-strange-creators-discuss-leaving-their-hit-narrative-adventure-series-behind-building-on-it-with-lost-records
• https://www.gamesradar.com/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-from-the-creators-of-life-is-strange-involves-blending-reality-dreams-and-the-weirdness-of-the-unknown/
• https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/12/07/lost-records-bloom-rage-life-is-strange-dont-nod-game-awards/
• https://www.actusnews.com/en/dontnod/pr/2023/12/08/don_t-nod-announces-lost-records-bloom-and-rage-a-brand-new-narrative-adventure-game-developed-by-the-montreal-studio
• https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/life-is-strange-studio-return-to-teen-mysteries-with-lost-records-bloom-rage
• https://www.themarysue.com/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-the-creators-of-life-is-strange-are-ready-to-destroy-us-again/

[Rachel D.]

Originally posted by Qiana:

Originally posted by Nightwalker:

It looks like Life is Strange 2 was DONTNOD's last LIS game. They only made the two, then, from what I gather, Square Enix wanted to take artistic control over the franchise.... so this will be the last LIS game I play as well.

Well, the small prequel to "Life is Strange 2," "The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit," is technically an independent game, and so, technically, Don't Nod made three.

As for the future of the "franchise," I guess that it depends on you to decide over the "last LIS game," because, as the LIS taught us, "This Action Will Have Consequences"...

If you concentrate solely on "Life is Strange" in the title, then "Life is Strange 2" was the last Don't Nod game, but if you swap "franchise" for the more correct LIS "legacy"...

If we can trust the legends and big plans for the future, then the "Life is Strange Legacy" is alive and kicking. The same people who created LIS have big plans for the future.

Don't Nod was on the verge of bankruptcy when they created "Life is Strange." A cringy but relatable high school teen drama with two female characters in the main roles. No publisher they asked wanted to invest in such a "fail concept," and Square Enix was the only one ready to take their chance, alas, under their own terms. Don't Nod was forced to sell the franchise, and not only the game, if they wanted to prevent bankruptcy.

Fast forward: since LIS games proved to be successful, and since Don't Nod lost the "Life is Strange Franchise," but not the "Life is Strange Vision," "Life is Strange Legacy" (plans) took over. While "Twin Mirror" was more of a "Life is NOT Strange," "Tell Me Why" could easily be seen as a continuation of "Life is Strange (legacy)," "superpowers" included.

Don't Nod recently opened the second studio in Montreal (beside the one in Paris), which is supposed to build up on the past success and start the "Life is Strange Legacy."

It's the same team that worked on "Life is Strange" that created "Lost Records: Bloom and Rage," which is supposed to hit the gaming platforms some time in autumn and is supposed to be the first in a series of "Life is Strange Legacy" games.

Time will tell how well their plans will work. That said, personally, I don't expect them to be able to repeat the success of the original "Life is Strange" ever again, but despite that, that doesn't mean that we can't expect to get a few more enjoyable cringy, cheesy, poetical queer teen dramas.


⧉ References:
• https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-interview/
• https://www.eurogamer.net/life-is-strange-creators-discuss-leaving-their-hit-narrative-adventure-series-behind-building-on-it-with-lost-records
• https://www.gamesradar.com/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-from-the-creators-of-life-is-strange-involves-blending-reality-dreams-and-the-weirdness-of-the-unknown/
• https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/12/07/lost-records-bloom-rage-life-is-strange-dont-nod-game-awards/
• https://www.actusnews.com/en/dontnod/pr/2023/12/08/don_t-nod-announces-lost-records-bloom-and-rage-a-brand-new-narrative-adventure-game-developed-by-the-montreal-studio
• https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/life-is-strange-studio-return-to-teen-mysteries-with-lost-records-bloom-rage
• https://www.themarysue.com/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-the-creators-of-life-is-strange-are-ready-to-destroy-us-again/

That actually does explain why their games/projects are focusing on the same franchiase in some way or making a game similar to it they made bank from the game.

[Rachel D.]

Originally posted by Rachel D.:

Originally posted by Qiana:

Well, the small prequel to "Life is Strange 2," "The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit," is technically an independent game, and so, technically, Don't Nod made three.

As for the future of the "franchise," I guess that it depends on you to decide over the "last LIS game," because, as the LIS taught us, "This Action Will Have Consequences"...

If you concentrate solely on "Life is Strange" in the title, then "Life is Strange 2" was the last Don't Nod game, but if you swap "franchise" for the more correct LIS "legacy"...

If we can trust the legends and big plans for the future, then the "Life is Strange Legacy" is alive and kicking. The same people who created LIS have big plans for the future.

Don't Nod was on the verge of bankruptcy when they created "Life is Strange." A cringy but relatable high school teen drama with two female characters in the main roles. No publisher they asked wanted to invest in such a "fail concept," and Square Enix was the only one ready to take their chance, alas, under their own terms. Don't Nod was forced to sell the franchise, and not only the game, if they wanted to prevent bankruptcy.

Fast forward: since LIS games proved to be successful, and since Don't Nod lost the "Life is Strange Franchise," but not the "Life is Strange Vision," "Life is Strange Legacy" (plans) took over. While "Twin Mirror" was more of a "Life is NOT Strange," "Tell Me Why" could easily be seen as a continuation of "Life is Strange (legacy)," "superpowers" included.

Don't Nod recently opened the second studio in Montreal (beside the one in Paris), which is supposed to build up on the past success and start the "Life is Strange Legacy."

It's the same team that worked on "Life is Strange" that created "Lost Records: Bloom and Rage," which is supposed to hit the gaming platforms some time in autumn and is supposed to be the first in a series of "Life is Strange Legacy" games.

Time will tell how well their plans will work. That said, personally, I don't expect them to be able to repeat the success of the original "Life is Strange" ever again, but despite that, that doesn't mean that we can't expect to get a few more enjoyable cringy, cheesy, poetical queer teen dramas.


⧉ References:
• https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-interview/
• https://www.eurogamer.net/life-is-strange-creators-discuss-leaving-their-hit-narrative-adventure-series-behind-building-on-it-with-lost-records
• https://www.gamesradar.com/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-from-the-creators-of-life-is-strange-involves-blending-reality-dreams-and-the-weirdness-of-the-unknown/
• https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/12/07/lost-records-bloom-rage-life-is-strange-dont-nod-game-awards/
• https://www.actusnews.com/en/dontnod/pr/2023/12/08/don_t-nod-announces-lost-records-bloom-and-rage-a-brand-new-narrative-adventure-game-developed-by-the-montreal-studio
• https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/life-is-strange-studio-return-to-teen-mysteries-with-lost-records-bloom-rage
• https://www.themarysue.com/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-the-creators-of-life-is-strange-are-ready-to-destroy-us-again/

That actually does explain why their games/projects are focusing on the same franchiase in some way or making a game similar to it they made bank from the game.

[Edit (kinda): I never had a problem with the karma system because it's supposed to relate to the real world, sean and daniel are dealing with life's struggle while they are struggling with their "karma concept" (this is why Sean is the main character instead of daniel because Sean dictates how they should go about on life) another reason to consider, people in the studio thought it would be cool to have a karma system since Life is strange doesn't have that the only consequences would just involve relationship with chole.

[Marshall of the Templars]

Originally posted by Qiana:

If you concentrate solely on "Life is Strange" in the title, then "Life is Strange 2" was the last Don't Nod game, but if you swap "franchise" for the more correct LIS "legacy"...

If we can trust the legends and big plans for the future, then the "Life is Strange Legacy" is alive and kicking. The same people who created LIS have big plans for the future.

Don't Nod was on the verge of bankruptcy when they created "Life is Strange." A cringy but relatable high school teen drama with two female characters in the main roles. No publisher they asked wanted to invest in such a "fail concept," and Square Enix was the only one ready to take their chance, alas, under their own terms. Don't Nod was forced to sell the franchise, and not only the game, if they wanted to prevent bankruptcy.

Fast forward: since LIS games proved to be successful, and since Don't Nod lost the "Life is Strange Franchise," but not the "Life is Strange Vision," "Life is Strange Legacy" (plans) took over. While "Twin Mirror" was more of a "Life is NOT Strange," "Tell Me Why" could easily be seen as a continuation of "Life is Strange (legacy)," "superpowers" included.

Don't Nod recently opened the second studio in Montreal (beside the one in Paris), which is supposed to build up on the past success and start the "Life is Strange Legacy."

It's the same team that worked on "Life is Strange" that created "Lost Records: Bloom and Rage," which is supposed to hit the gaming platforms some time in autumn and is supposed to be the first in a series of "Life is Strange Legacy" games.

Time will tell how well their plans will work. That said, personally, I don't expect them to be able to repeat the success of the original "Life is Strange" ever again, but despite that, that doesn't mean that we can't expect to get a few more enjoyable cringy, cheesy, poetical queer teen dramas.

I know this reply is off topic, but games such as Tell Me Why and the upcoming Lost Records do feel they are Dontnod's "spiritual successors" to LiS.

That being said, if Tell Me Why is the "best" that Dontnod has to offer post LiS, then I personally am skeptical that they can pull off their ambitions of a Lost Records "universe"... whatever that means.

[Qiana]

Originally posted by Marshall of the Templars:

I know this reply is off topic, but games such as Tell Me Why and the upcoming Lost Records do feel they are Dontnod's "spiritual successors" to LiS.

That being said, if Tell Me Why is the "best" that Dontnod has to offer post LiS, then I personally am skeptical that they can pull off their ambitions of a Lost Records "universe"... whatever that means.

Originally posted by Qiana:

I don't expect them to be able to repeat the success of the original "Life is Strange" ever again, but despite that, that doesn't mean that we can't expect to get a few more enjoyable cringy, cheesy, poetical queer teen dramas.

LIS was set in an environment that anyone from 9 to 99 could relate to, and it was a unique mix of nostalgia, mystery drama, and real-life themes, plus it had that nice "time manipulation" mechanic that left everything open to interpretation. You could either explain everything as just a dream and memories, or you could use your imagination and create "1001" ways to manipulate time, to rewind, to jump... This fired thinkering and opened the space for "time wars".And it had good-looking characters. It helps people identify with the characters, or even fall in love with them. Sounds abstract, but it helps with "relatability". Technically, it ran on almost anything. It's going to be hard to replicate.

[Rachel D.]

There's a big reason why the creators decided to start with different characters rather than with the same ones (even if they did one in the future with max and chole or from the original it would only be a prequel)

It would be a fresh start if they started on a new franchiase.

[Marshall of the Templars]

Originally posted by Qiana:

LIS was set in an environment that anyone from 9 to 99 could relate to, and it was a unique mix of nostalgia, mystery drama, and real-life themes, plus it had that nice "time manipulation" mechanic that left everything open to interpretation. You could either explain everything as just a dream and memories, or you could use your imagination and create "1001" ways to manipulate time, to rewind, to jump... This fired thinkering and opened the space for "time wars".And it had good-looking characters. It helps people identify with the characters, or even fall in love with them. Sounds abstract, but it helps with "relatability". Technically, it ran on almost anything. It's going to be hard to replicate.

Agreed. If you ask me, the first LiS had a universality that transcended political ideologies. And yes, it is going to be a difficult feat for Dontnod to catch a second time around. I wish them all the best, but we will see once Bloom and Rage is released.