Fan Theory: Looking Glass [LIFE IS STRANGE]

[@kara-3217]

Reminds me of when Chloe said she wanted to drop a bomb on Arcadia Bay and turn it into glass...

[@blazikentwo]

''You broke my snow dome, thanks dude''

[@fish4435]

*gasp* THE BLIZARD

[@yapwenjing123]

Wolfy Guy AND IN 'OBSTACLES' THE GUY KEEPS SAYING THROUGH THE BLiZARD

[@Methylglyoxal]

"I'd like to drop a bomb on Arcadia Bay and turn it into fucking glass".

[@cozy71]

Amaterasu Man, even Ammy is here.

[@unicornpig9722]

Nathans Broken Tail light on his car....

[@taylorodell9927]

I love your Life is Strange theories. You can tell you actually research things you mention in videos before you make up a theory. After I watch a Life is Strange theory video that you post, I have to go through and look at the game again. Keep up the amazing videos! Are you guys excited for Ep. 4 as much as I am?!?

[@GeekRemix]

Taylor O'Dell I am dying to play ep 4.

[@taylorodell9927]

Me too! My mom also plays it & she is always talking about how me & Chloe are like the same person. We even share the short blue hair! (Which I had before I knew the game existed)

[@nightmare2nightmare]

Geek Remix Are you checking the LiS twitter as much as I am?

[@daniellemarotel9043]

omg that's awesome :D

[@ninninin656]

Argh, I watched this right before bed and now I feel creeped out!!!

[@danaprzy2326]

I ALWAYS GET CREEPED OUT BY THIS probably the music and the tone of voice

[@marissasucks6624]

What if the glass are hints that Rachel is frozen in time? You've expressed that she or Chloe might be writing the graffiti before, I think. The glass breaking might be her getting unfrozen; and somehow, she's causing the storm.

[@kellylusk1358]

Marissa Carbonell I feel the same way about Rachel Amber.

[@unicornpig9722]

Maybe it's the old hag behind the Two whales.

[@saulorns2544]

+Marissa Carbonell And she's dead. I know this is old and that you alredy know it but,I want to reply anyway.

[@toxicratpack7674]

+Saulo RNS would've been a cool ending though (or confusing if you didn't look for every detail in the game)

[@z0mbiebra1nz]

now after before the storm was made, i think rachel created the storm. in the tempest rachel doesnt let chloe have ‘liberty’. u can choose ‘so come with me’(sacrifice chloe) or ‘then ill run away’ (sacrifice arcadia bay) so i think rachel created the storm so chloe could join her in the afterlife

[@printffff]

The game just got seriously creepy

[@ItsAv3rageGamer]

'I just want to drop a bomb on Arcadia Bay and turn it into fucking GLASS'

[@missjackson7560]

Av3rage_Gamer It hurts that you didn't add a full stop.

[@kiba9961]

Av3rage_Gamer And after Chloe says that, it triggers her nightmare again.

[@unicornpig9722]

+Kiba Maybe that's Chloes power?? Maybe When Max was having her first nightmare she was Arguing with Nathan at a different Location or just thinking to her self. Chloe dying, Saves Arcadia Bay? Maybe the Prescotts wanted something With her?

[@Elenyiorene]

"Reflections have been thought to be windows to the world of the dead" GREAT. NICE. I'm home alone for the week and now I won't be able to look into mirrors again. ;_;

[@DivineTeaWithKejhane]

Elenyiorene Invite some friends over lol

[@Chunchunmaru18]

I always get sucked into your theories. Great video

[@danaprzy2326]

I always get scared in her theory videos but still choose to watch them

[@silentmoon6804]

The plant that you drowned is behind the glass seeking revenge

[@iridescent28]

Victoria: Louis Daguerre was a French painter who created "daguerreotypes" a process that gave portraits a sharp reflective style, like a mirror.

[@Aloyhero]

I wouldn't surprised if Rachel Amber was the woman behind the glass, but somehow was trapped there.

[@kellylusk1358]

BloodCroft i think Rachel Amber is trapped somewhere and only Nathan knows and she is trapped in time

[@gamey83]

BloodCroft Personally, my very first thought of rachel amber was that she was really max from an alternate timeline. As the game goes on I lose a bit more faith in that thought with each scene....but still. :p

[@hpatdh077]

Kelly Lusk We know she is in the dark room (trapped or by self choice?), and everything seems to indicate (she disappeared just like Max does to Chloe when she uses her powers) that that dark space is somewhere in a time-void or loop of sorts. Sometimes I wonder if she could be in a fetus?? like imagine if Max saw a picture of her own fetus and was transported back there...she wouldn't have escape since she wouldn't have a brain yet...

[@BlueSparxLPs]

Matteo Dyaus The simple answer is that a fetus is alive, and because it is a living part of you, rather than something without consciousness, she can theoretically assume that form if she were to focus on an image of her in her mother's womb.

[@BlueSparxLPs]

Matteo Dyaus Who is to say a fetus isn't sentient? In fact, that's one of the reasons that the topic of abortion is so controversial. The fetus in question is hers, so if there's an image of it, there's no reason why she wouldn't be allowed to jump into it, given the context of the game.

[@ilyPenn23]

*Episode 5 Spoilers* Mirrors confirmed relevant... the code scene in the nightmare.

[@TheCaptainRaccoon]

I mean, i'm not saying you're wrong about the glass breaking in the storm, but it could potentially be hail. Good theory though.

[@GeekRemix]

***** Do you know how much hail hurts? And do you know what hail sounds like? It doesn't sound like that.

[@TheCaptainRaccoon]

Geek Remix I live in North Dakota and we've had like 8 hailstorms recently. Sometimes it is mixed in with large storms and Tornado level of weather, which it just so happens my bases tornado siren has been getting a workout lately. It sucks to get hit by hail but that could be contributing to Max's fear and the fact that she is shielding her face as she is walking. When you wake up in that sequence you find yourself next to a fallen tree, a picnic table and a wooden sign, and a little bit in the distance a metal sign, it could be hail hitting those surfaces potentially.

[@jadaorth6870]

***** Hey, I live in South Dakota!

[@ScarlettRoseOfficial]

***** I think Nathan was in love with Rachel and somehow saw what happened to her and he's trying to solve the case by himself.

[@ScarlettRoseOfficial]

***** In fact, I have a theory: minimal-it.tumblr.com/post/121935089222/rachels-disappearance-explanation

[@mikehunt8355]

The mirrors are almost assuredly just part of how the Unreal Engine 3 renders reflections. With reflections, the game has to render more, so the the reflected image usually has lower detail.

[@GeekRemix]

Erik Fleischer then explain to me why in different episodes, the same rooms look different in the reflections. Why would they render it completely differently for different episodes. That is more work.

[@mikehunt8355]

The reflected room looks different because it's a lower detail version to save processing power. I've messed around a little with the Unreal creation kit

[@GeekRemix]

Erik Fleischer Then why would they have it be two different renders for the same area in different episodes?

[@mikehunt8355]

The 'same' areas like the girls bathroom in episode 1 and 2 are technically different set pieces.

[@PcGameGold]

Erik Fleischer Or the graffiti could be transparent sprites that paste over textures in the game engine and not rendered properly in the mirror, a glitch?

[@knobylobjones]

i'm so thirsty for episode four my throat feels like the Sahara

[@Egyptman09]

if this is not due to the game engine's rendering then these clues can actually mean something very important later. DONTNOD really are clever to do all this, not just the mirror things but everything else or otherwise we as fans are just thinking too much haha. great video :)

[@hallohello3981]

I have never noticed before that you can not see the graffiti in the mirror. ..after seven years and six times of playing. I got chills. Thank you:)

[@roguemetamorph6353]

It's always interesting to see all of your new theories and ideas in these videos. Some of my favorite are these LIS videos with all of the "catches" and mythology. You put so much work into them and they are always thought provoking. Great job!

[@jumarishernandez5627]

Really interesting! Every theory you have, I rethink the entire game.

[@TheTakataka999]

At the end of ep1 Chloe talks about getting arcadia into a glass, also the first time we save Alyssa the a window breaks, and max states later that we changed the course of that window's life.

[@merkoka6991]

I've watched seriously almost ALL of your Life is Strange theories, and this one more than any of them gave me CHILLS! Very well put together, and major props for the editing and choice/timing of the background music. I miss this game so much. SO EXCITED FOR SEASON TWO!

[@judithpiper4410]

I'm exited too, I just hope they make the right choice and stick with Max. If Dontnod uses a new cast season two will be a lost cause... in my opinion. Depending on how it looks I might not even buy it if that's what happens.

[@merkoka6991]

+Judith Piper Same here. If Max and pleasepleaseplease also Chloe aren't in the next season then I am going to be very upset. I'm probably still going to buy it either way, but I am very curious to see how they manage to make a season two considering where the first season ended off. LIS season two hype!!

[@KATinBLACK]

What if Max has eyes like a camera? When you look through a lens, you could see things that otherwise aren't there. Usually, that's metaphorical but that could be part of Max's power. Maybe she see the graffiti from another alt universe but in reality, it's not there so it doesn't show in the mirror Btw, great theory Mari

[@LanternsfortheDark]

Your theories are always so amazing, Mari! I WANT YOUR BRAIN AND YOUR ABILITY TO NOTICE THE TINIEST DETAILS!

[@wolfstargazer5401]

some people think those graffiti are messages about the future from Chloe that only Max can see

[@SunnyTacos]

You just have a new sub, I've been wondering about these theories a lot, I must have replayed the first 3 chapters 10 times already, I love how you put things in perspective, bless you heart

[@grinnydorr3481]

Anyone else is think the mirror thing is just mistakes in editing u know how long it would take to check over everything especially as little as reflective writing

[@GeekRemix]

James Grinstead They just make the same room twice and flip it. It's more work to change the opposite room than to just copy past it in reverse.

[@TheChocoXCheese]

Geek Remix But because the same rooms are used in multiple episodes with different sets of graffiti, they probably use the same graffiti-less room and just change the textures. Isn't it possible that they could have used the bathroom, added the graffiti textures, then forgotten to do the same thing with the reflected room? Not disagreeing with your theory though. I definitely believe glass and mirrors have a symbolic significance in the game. But since I've seen many games have trouble with mirrors, I can't help but think that particular thing is just a mistake.

[@hpatdh077]

TheChocoXCheese I really like and enjoy these theories, and wish they were true. But I agree with you in thinking they just forgot adding/erasing stuff.

[@Kebabscout]

Now we only need to add the song Through Glass by Stone Sour to the soundtrack. Even if it's inspired by something compeltely else, the lyrics, well, let's just say, go pretty much 1:1 with this. Love you and your theories. Keep up at being awsum :33

[@ShadowWolf767]

This is getting me excited for Ep 4!!!!

[@suckmyparanoidballs4754]

And when Chloe says, "I wish I could drop a bomb on Arcadia Bay. Turn it to fu**ing glass!"

[@MrMartechi]

And yet another theory that makes me feel like I should play the whole game another time to look for every mirror and glass window I can find to figure something out. You're doing an awesome job at pointing out so many details that were somewhat present to me as a player, but I never really thought about them. Thanks for that time and research put into these theories. They really make the game experience even more interesting.

[@juliamaxfalcon5483]

I love your Life is Strange videos. I watched all of them so many times:) Thank you for putting the afford in making them. They're AMAZING :D

[@DefallianceDi]

My favorite soundtrack, named Reborn

[@LarisB0427]

I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS IN MY SUBSCRIPTION BOX! I love these theory videos! I have quite a few of my own :)

[@Eccentrick218]

It's possible that we're actually playing with Max in "autopilot" mode. Whenever she goes back in time through a picture, she behaves without memories of the future afterwards. Maybe all the things missing in the mirror aren't supposed to happen, or are how the world is supposed to look without Max using her powers.

[@aravore2719]

Once again, amaaaaazing attention to detail holy crap!

[@abramat2996]

No way 😱😱😱 I love this type of videos. Hope the 4 will be released very soon!

[@daniellemarotel9043]

I really do wonder what was up with episode five's series of releveations like hearing the unexpected from characters blaming or begging max to be saved.

[@TheCreepersAlive]

+Geek Remix You should look into the scarf found in Samuels room thing and possibly check out the characters who wear stuff like that :)

[@alorable1391]

I live for your lis theories

[@luaevablue]

The new music you're using on your theory videos gives me goose bumps.

[@superultragraphicmoderngirl]

cant wait for your analysis on ep 4 trailer

[@daniellemarotel9043]

Mari be prancing on this theory and sobbing after episode five.

[@justin5558889]

What about the window broken when you tell Alyssa to dodge Zachary's football?

[@irismoth6921]

Dear everyone who has criticism of this theory. Cool. I have my doubts to. So does Geek remix. They make these to pool together more ideas. Even if it was an unintentional glitch that you can't see graffiti in the mirrors or whatever, I'm super happy that Mari is catching all this and presenting this information to think about. Thank you Geek Remix. I love your videos ❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamesbc4449]

The "Hole to another universe" thing is in Chloe's room too! Next to her desk

[@laurahahn3332]

It a bug. The programmer was lazy and forgot to check this in the episode 1 and 2.

[@Bloodanna]

There are even more references to glass and broken glass through out the game. There is the snow globe you break in episode one, the one with the deer that represents Rachael. There is Chloe yelling about turning the town to glass, partly because she wants to end it and partly because it would mean that all its secrets would be revealed. There is also the part where you can save Alyssa from the football (in the first episode) and if you do it flies past and breaks a window. (I believe it's Veronica's window and it's right after you reveal truths about things.) Max mentions this is "instant karma". There are also the windows on Frank's RV. You can write a message to clean them in their dust and later that same RV reveals a lot of things that were being kept secret (both because of the diner scene to get the keys and then inside the vehicle as well.) Not to mention there are the glass bottles you shoot in the junkyard and the fact that you can don't just save the bird (which could represent Chloe), but you save it from a window. And later chase a bird (not the same one, iirc) out a window that was keeping it trapped.

[@hollywoo81]

Loving the music

[@taytay32865]

Some of the lyrics from *"Glass Walls" by Nik Ammar*, that was played in the launch trailer *WHEN* mentioning : Chloe and Max reuniting for the first time, showing one of the first scenes in the bathroom (and mentioning it) , the breaking of one of the windows (from a basketball), and ending with the storm..ETC. "Do you believe in *destiny* ….and *fate* ?" "Do you say *now or never* …or *never too late* ?" *"Can't stop your light, from reaching my eyes"* *"Kingdoms* can rise and *fall* " *"I won't lose the key ,If you find the door "* "And when the *mist descends* ,and hope…. is gone " "*We'll freeze a dream* to last, until, another dawn." "Cause' when the *mountains fall*, and *crumble into dust* ." "Our bones may turn to stone, but hearts like ours don't rust Don't rust " *RACHEL*?! It shows in Episode 4 what happens to be a desert or some sort of wasteland (in one of the preview photos) Do you think this song may have some hints in it? Ahh, I can't wait anymore!! Thanks for the theory, I love how your theories always fit so well. :) This game holds many secrets that we will find out in the future. It truly is an *AMAZING* game. Keep up the good work!

[@brandonkeller478]

+geekremix something that is completely overlooked is the "Everyday Heroes" Contest. Mr. Jefferson always brings up max and her contribution (or lack there of). And the picture that max rips in the bathroom in Ep 1. Is emphasized due to the fact that it's shown in the 3 pictures when scrolled over Ep 5. Maybe everyone's so focused on Rachel Amber that everyone's overlooked the fact that maybe the answer was at the very beginning. With that picture being the minutiae. And also we may wonder, if the picture contains max looking at photos on the wall....... Who took the picture? (Remember max has an old camera)

[@gabbijackson]

Remember when u talked about when Chloe dodges the dies the other girls suffer like Alyssa remember when she got hit by the football well if she moves the foot ball hits the glass and breaks it that was like mind blown when that happen I was gasping I love this game I can't wait for the next episodes

[@Blitzentine]

(Careful to avoid spoilers) In the bathroom at the start of ep 4, there are multiple mirrors. When things return to normal, when returning to the bathroom one of the mirrors is gone. (Incidentally, the mirror that housed necessary supplies). Possible link.

[@RedWingedAngel02]

Wow, I adore this theory a lot!

[@SlowassSlothCharlie]

This is all very cool Mari and I think you could be on to something. Maybe there's two dimensions and one's on the other side of the mirror looking through the glass into the other and that's how things appear and disappear between glass. Maybe Max hopped into said other dimension with the photo and that's where Rachel's disappeared to because they both got stuck through the mirror like dimensions? I don't even know if this is making any sense. I should watch more of these, you always have such great ideas. Loved the Watchmen snippets too! :D Thanks Mari, I know you work hard on these things because it's a lot of information and editing and just brain searching even. :)

[@kampmichi8755]

All hail Mari and her awsome / crazy theories! If someone want's to claim that tecnical reasons make the grafiti disapear sometimes I would have to say that I doubt it. Creating a game object in a scene isn't hard and however they make the reflections at worst it would take another additional object at worst to make the grafiti appear.

[@calbedard]

I can hear the Dreamfall theme in the background.

[@AIRLINE500]

Ep. 5 confirms their theory. Congratulations! You were absolutely right about many things!!!

[@nursemain3174]

Life is strange is just amazing I love it

[@andreap8637]

Some people say that if you say "Victoria" 3 times in front of a mirror, she appears and criticizes your outfit. Now I'm creeped out D: Btw I love all your Life is Strange theories, you're amazing!! :)

[@liss_Th]

Mari siempre sacado el lado filosófico de los videojuegos

[@SunMysts]

This is going to be misplaced, but I remember in one theory about someone being at school before you in episode 3, you suggested that someone was there the night Chloe and Max broke in the school. However, in my playthrough I found that the pizza box and beer bottles are there on the first day, when you go to the parking lot. Samuel has been slacking. Also, if you look at chloes computer for the police report, the time lines up well with the them breaking into the pool. So im not sure if anyone else was there besides Victoria and creep-teacher. I just wonder if who reported it was important.

[@Cocoalamocoa]

I just wanna point out.. The "Dreamfall" music just made this perfect! Yeah not important and whatever.. but still a nice touch.

[@gottastartsomewhere5772]

I never noticed the graffiti disappearing in mirrors :o You blow my mind everytime Mari :D

[@chococake6386]

I love your theory vids~ they were the reason I subbed, along with your lets plays :D

[@cataciudad9938]

Brilliant, as always. I think the broken glass can be tied up to the "Chloe must die" theory. I mean, if Chloe is really destined to die, then it would be the end of the world, Max's world (Jeez, that sounded really cheesy). Anyway, I love your channel and your fantastic ideas. Take care, girls!

[@thenorseguy2495]

I've just replayed through all the 3 first episode. I can't wait for episode 4.

[@alysonrodrigues1492]

Another great theory. :)

[@KLOUDEDITS]

MARI.... U R A GENIUS! I WASN´T PAYING THAT ATENTION ON THE MIRROW REFLECTIONS!!

[@elijahwalker3427]

Love your theory videos!

[@sopranophantomista]

Huh, maybe, then, now that last sentence has started to ring in my head, the hurricane and tornado is the result of Max's turmoil from episode 4 finally manifesting into a physical, tangible real-world consequence.

[@WadeWallenstein]

You always have the best theories :)

[@Forbidden_Chocolate]

goosebumps all over my body.. And i'm still suspicious about that pazuzui thing..

[@lucasutbult6747]

Love your theories❤️❤️

[@lukebartholomew3686]

in episode 2 when max gets out of bed at the very start she doesn't apear in the reflection. although it is tricky to tell if she should be in the reflection or if the mirror is off angle, if you stand where her face was in the cut scene a reflection will apear

[@mimel]

Omg this gave me goosebumps

[@troyvolcko6519]

I have a little theory, in the end of either episode 1 or 2 Victoria throws a missing poster for Rachel, possibly because Rachel had a relationship with Nathan? or Victoria had a relationship with Frank? There has to be a reason Victoria would do that..

[@williamedwards3973]

Has anyone ever thought about how the "Oedipus" theory could be taking effect? That is that because Max saw the future, she is searching to fix it, and by attempting to fix it, she is causing what she sees in her vision? Just a thought...

[@MrsWackyJaqi]

I don't think I can brush my teeth tonight after this.

[@theedexter1996]

This is the best theory I have watched by u LOVE U!

[@katieusbrownius]

The mirror also holds the answer to one of the puzzles in episode 5

[@oniricPrj]

Kudos for the soundrack in the background ;-)

[@gabrielheilborn8477]

There is also the snow globes, "moments stuck in glass"

[@mjdemilla1896]

Living for the Dreamfall music

[@atteliaklein4040]

Awesome as always :D lis is delayed for another week and I'm crying I'm not sure if they are taking longer because of time they spent away or something bigger? 0-0

[@avianroyalty1158]

kit klein Maybe they're just going over everything to make sure there aren't bugs or whatnot - perhaps there was a mess-up that required them to completely redo parts of the episode... idk

[@PcGameGold]

kit klein As everyone is on this game like a rash they need to make it solid for release else they will get a ton of aggro!

[@atteliaklein4040]

Trailer is out! Nathan knows about the storm AHHH

[@avianroyalty1158]

kit klein Wait what? O.O

[@darkmerrygoround]

when i heard the thunder in the game, seconds later i heard it just outside :l also there was a part in the game dialogue when Max says "i am a camera", Furthermore, i think the saying "Eyes are windows through our souls" can fit in this theory as well.

[@reaj5743]

The epic music gave me feels

[@sharif47]

Just so you know, the pictures you take in the game are not captured in real time. They were just some saved pics that show up when you take the pic. That's why the bird probably didn't end up in the pic in Chloe's room.

[@lasalsssa]

I believe the side of the mirrors is the alternate timeline. The one Max is in now. Maybe if we look at a mirror in the next episode we might se the grafiti and other things that didn't appear.

[@cantwaitforalice]

The glass also breaks if you choose to help Alyssa in episode 1

[@themuffinlover6084]

I think mari can tell the future

[@Nitaveferor]

amazing theory

[@sekyaan4659]

Background music made me feel its sooooooooooo much important

[@Amanda-dn4ld]

I kept genuinely expecting the "hole to another universe" graffiti to matter. They show up everywhere!

[@KairosJN]

This is such a good theory

[@meganorbread8834]

I don't know if anyone has already said this or not, but Max also smashed her camera when she knocked it off the table in class. That might contribute to this theory?

[@danhorus]

The thing with mirrors is that they're probably programmed by showing a completely different room. In Episode 1 or 2, there was a mirror glitch in which you could see through the world, and it didn't look like it was the same one you were in: steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=384167048 Most of these are probably overlooked details when copying the finished main room to the mirror room, like they changed something to the main room and forgot to reflect (ha!) the change in the mirror room.

[@iateyouroreos5912]

The cover of the catcher in the rye is on Max's wall but with a different title

[@timowthie]

Ive been reading catcher in rye and I didnt even know it was one if its biggest influences.

[@Henry-hm7kc]

At the end of Episode 1 you see Chloe in her jacket touch Max' shoulder then it changes to her not wearing a jacket and on the floor with Max because she blacked out.

[@Pompidouchtrucking]

cant wait for more Theories!

[@danaprzy2326]

I want happy music