The Case

When you view life through a lens, all sorts of weird and wonderful things can happen. Though, it seems, for Max Caulfield, there’s a distinct propensity of former and shocking lack of the latter. Life is Strange has already thrown some harrowing developments at us, what with rumours of systematic sexual abuse and an impending tornado set to wipe Arcadia Bay of the map. So, what does Chaos Theory bring to the table? Do we even want to know?

The Trial

Actually, episode 3 is rather more upbeat than the two preceding it. That’s not to say it’s all hearts and flowers, but in this world we take what small mercies we can get. Let’s get the basics out of the way first. The game looks and plays just like the others, with the sporadic da’Vinci pose people still popping up from time to time, but far less often now. The lip syncing remains as awkward as ever, and a previously overlooked issue has annoyingly persisted. Each time I load the game, my key bindings and graphics settings reset to defaults. Which is rather irritating, but honestly the only real complaint that can be made.

Now that all that’s out of the way, I’m just going to say it outright. This is the best episode of the series to date. Thematically the mid-point fits in as a perfect, well, mid-point. After the initial rush of excitement and drama from episode 1 and, especially, 2, everything settles down significantly. Giving us some much needed respite to gather our wits and start to really process what all is going on. The main chunk of the episode featuring Max and Chloe getting to know each other all over again and enjoying some genuinely touching moments of camaraderie.

More importantly than this, however, we finally have some much needed character development for several of the side characters who have, up to this point, been presented as nothing more than cardboard cut-outs. Nathan, for example, has a few moments to show that he’s not just a neurotic asshole. He still is a neurotic asshole, but there’s enough of his background revealed to show that he’s...not so much sympathetic, but at least pitiable. Someone who really is feeling the pressure of his life, as opposed to just revelling in perceived power.

He reminds me quite a lot of Andy, played by Emilio Estevez, from The Breakfast Club. Which is funny, because Frank, the creepy trucker guy, actually kinda’ reminds me of Bender. And he’s someone else who is fleshed out significantly in this episode, another large chunk being devoted to poking into his life and learning, amongst other things, that he is a keen dog lover. The crotchety mutt that guards his truck being a rescue dog that he spends a great deal of his (presumably) ill begotten gains tending for. This is something of a theme throughout most of Chaos Theory’s playtime. Building on what we know and, more importantly, what we think we know to throw everything onto a slant.

There are further developments to Max’s rewind ability as well. Where the previous episode showed her limitations, in the form of nosebleeds, this shows her range. A pivotal scene being when she learns she can step back much further via the use of a photograph. Much like the second entry in the The Butterfly Effect series (which sucks, but eh) which is something I have been saying was a major influence for DONTNOD from the beginning. The specifics of what happens next...that’s something you really should see for yourself. But suffice it to say it, quite literally, changes everything. With the ramifications even leading to Warren hooking up with Stella. Which is the smallest development, so make of that what you will.

The full gravity of events actually makes this a very difficult episode to talk about without giving away massive spoilers. But, honestly, that should be taken as a huge compliment. DONTNOD really have set themselves up to produce one of the best episodic game series’ on the market today. Perhaps not quite to the level of rivalling Telltale, not yet, but certainly standing up to compete with ease. Providing they don’t screw it all up with a shitty ending. Still a possibility I’ll grant, but one that I am increasingly in doubt of coming to fruition.

As it currently stands, Life is Strange has already served up three consistently improved episodes of clever, nuanced writing and superb pacing that promises to deliver in every way we could hope, and several more we can’t even conceive of. With Chaos Theory once again clocking in at a sold three hours, there isn’t even a complaint to be made for scale. Leaving us with a shining example of narrative gaming done right.

The Verdict

There are only so many ways one can say the same thing. So let’s just say, if you don’t have Life is Strange in your collection yet, and you are even remotely interested in story based games, you owe it to yourself to buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Case Review