Life is Strange 2 Deserved Better

[@FoxyAreku]

Daniel having a string of choices in the game that he chooses based on the morality you taught him was my favorite thing about this game. So cool.

[@ellaelliott4415]

Yeah, I led him astray though so I feel a bit guilty. But it’s such a smart choice

[@FreakyKARMA]

Life is strange 2 is one of my favourite story games ever and is on of the best story games i EVER played. cried at the end of the last 4 chapters by far

[@heyimseven]

LIS1 will always be my favorite but LIS2 has a special place in my heart. I love how Dontnod tried to do something new, compared to Deck Nine playing it safe

[@ellaelliott4415]

THIS. Gah, I miss Dontnod

[@Snookie1988]

exactly.

[@miglepon9303]

I never understood hatred for this game. I love ALL the characters and theei interactions. Also it's nice how in LIS2 every choice you make matters, because of Daniel. And the ending feels like you actually earned it

[@ellaelliott4415]

Totally underrated. As a person of color who’s faced racism and stereotypes and fear and feeling so out of place after life events, while sometimes I felt like it was a little overdone, I liked this game. The storyline was good. My favorite parts for sure are the parts where they briefly found peace at their grandparents’ house, the moment of calm they had while at the weed farm. As much as I wanted that normalcy for Daniel, I knew that with the powers he had and how hard they’d fought to get as far as they did, Blood Brothers was the best ending. Shawn was still totally out of his depth but we see him change and mature a little. They’re strongly connected, even though it was very hard and at times tumultuous. Shawn fought so hard for his little brother, even though the choices I made for them made Shawn look like a horrible influence. The idea of them being broken apart somehow at the end was just unbearable for me. I really liked this game. The voice acting stressed me out a little but most of the time it was good. It’s a wild ride for sure

[@plutobug2]

this is SO well written. and it’s so nice to hear someone put it into words

[@BTbenTR]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed :)

[@LaNaRiYu]

Well said! I can understand people’s disappointment as they were expecting a sequel, but that’s not what LiS2 is. It’s a beautiful and rich standalone game. I completely obsessed over this game over the past few months. I didn’t play it when it got out, and I had no expectations. The story, the characters and the dynamics between them were so compelling, and the music is perfect, I became attached to it all like few games manage to do. Thanks for this summary, I agree with you that it definitely didn’t deserve the hate that it got.

[@BrynosaurusRex]

Love the Life is Strange series, however 2 will always remain my favorite as it has a special place in my heart for being an emotional brotherly tale where player choice impacted this entry the most.

[@faithree3716]

I started playing Life is Strange 2 myself! And I absolutely adore everything about it. It's such a tragic and difficult story with amazing characters. It's so realistic and I felt so immersed through out everything. Especially how every little decision matters. It's definitely my favorite game I've ever played. ❤❤❤ I definitely didn't have the same complaints that the playthroughs I watched had. Like, I actually like how the episodes are so different from each other. That is the whole point of running away!! Thank u for this vid!!

[@Caitlyn777-e1x]

also the soundtrack in this mfing game needs an oscar

[@ellaelliott4415]

OMG it’s perfect

[@Caitlyn777-e1x]

@ellaelliott4415 you wont believe when i tell you i know every inch, ever melody every background melody in "into the woods" listened to it possibly 1000 times now, i can tell you i heard a singer there

[@Logan-dn6uv]

This game is so overhated

[@STRAYFOX]

I loved this game and thought Jonathan Morali's score was absolute perfection. I think the release structure waiting 4 months between episodes really hurt the game, especially when there wasn't much to necessarily theory craft while we waited as the next episodes ended up being entirely new locations/new characters. I know there's a million external factors and this is purely pedantic but it is crazy comparing how many locations & characters there are in LIS2 compared to Double Exposure. I miss those large vistas and cinematic montages too, something else deeply lacking in DE and only really occurred in the optional "Moments of Calm". And that's enough of DE comparisons before I feel sad again haha. Looking forward to Lost Records :)

[@BTbenTR]

Will definitely be making a video on Lost Records when it releases!

[@Lef2005]

As someone who played the game for the first time in 2024 with no prior knowledge, I'm glad it took 4 months for each episode. Every episode is polished and the game ages better because of the time it took to make.

[@Snookie1988]

I will always love LiS1 because of the story and the characters (especially Max). Life Is Strange 2 is an equally great game for me, though. And in terms of gameplay and decision-impact, it's even the better game in my eyes. I think it's a shame that so many people I talked to either didn't want to play the game at all because Max and Chloe weren't there anymore or stopped playing after episode 1 because it was too boring for them.The only thing I have to criticize about LiS2 were the two love interests. But this game is much more about family and cohesion than love affairs. For me, Life is Strange 1 and 2 are among the best games I've ever played. It's a shame that DeckNine couldn't hook me with the last two titles like DONTNOD did.

[@J32-h9n]

Growing up is realizing life is strange 2 is the best game in the series

[@ramio1983]

Life is Strange 2 was my personal favourite- it took so many risks and chances and implemented them WELL. The new world per each episode, meeting new characters, the Brotherhood dynamic and choices having actual meaning were all amazing aspects of the game barely matched in the others. All the games have their qualities though but for me the Wolf Brothers certainly deserve more love in this franchise.

[@lachdownproductionsyt]

Bro hit us with the lanterns scene twice! This game is DontNod's Magnum Opus. I can't say enough good things about it, love the video bud!

[@BTbenTR]

The lantern scene once just isn’t enough! Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed :)

[@Dolphin2048]

their magnum opus is the first game

[@lachdownproductionsyt]

@@Dolphin2048 the first one was great. I just think they perfected LIS with the second game. I really wish they had been allowed to run with the franchise at least one more time to see what they could do.

[@AnotherEmi]

I love this game! I can never decide which I like better between this and the first game. The plot in LIS 1 is one of the best plots in any game (or even any media) I have ever experienced. I personally didn't care that much for the characters, though, and found them plain or annoying at times. I know, controversial opinion. However, I would die for Sean! He is by far my favourite video game character and Daniel honestly also deserves better. Of course he's annoying, but that's the point, he's a child! He handled situations just like a child would and he's been through some of the most horrible things imaginable so how could anyone be mad at him for "acting out"? The only things I really don't like about this game is what happens to Mushroom😭 and the timed choices.

[@snubnosedmonke]

thank you for breaking down this amazing game. it's a shame it's so overlooked, as i enjoyed it greatly, and i feel the emotional storytelling of the bond of the two brothers was such solid writing

[@dshaun54]

This game wrecked me emotionally.

[@ellaelliott4415]

As it should 😭

[@rebeccascales7075]

Life is strange 2 is the best one of all in my opinion... Majorly underrated and overhated!

[@honeybunbun.]

I really do hope this game has a renaissance of sorts, it's so sad that people had preconceived notions of what it should have been or let one aspect throw them off entirely. For the people who it hits for, this game is just incredible. Thank you so much for this video!

[@kejuancornell3570]

Life is strange 2 is my favorite one I like the brothers story

[@ellaelliott4415]

I got the Blood Brothers ending because after all they went through, they deserved to escape

[@kejuancornell3570]

@ellaelliott4415 that's my favorite ending the blood brother

[@davidschutz4262]

Subjectively LIS1 is my favourite, but objectively LIS2 is the best in the series if that makes sense🤣

[@nathanriver1556]

Life is Strange 2 is so underated

[@Caitlyn777-e1x]

thanks man, die hard pricefield fans make me sick to my stomach

[@ellaelliott4415]

I feel like in Double Exposure they tried too hard to cater to fan service. And I chose (probably incorrectly) to save Chloe so they got their little cameo where David was talking about them after Arcadia Bay Edit: I thought LiS was the perfect ending for the two of them. Double Exposure ruined that ending

[@Caitlyn777-e1x]

@ellaelliott4415 wait since when was lis an ending...can you elaborate 🙏

[@amberharris28]

Lis 2 is one of my favorite games ever a beautiful game

[@bluesyrupgc4224]

I didn’t like LIS2 as much as LIS, but I stand by the fact that Captain Spirit and LIS2 Ep 1 and 2 are freaking masterpieces, with Captain Spirit being my favorite entry of the franchise.

[@ellaelliott4415]

Definitely!

[@sadshel1363]

everyone’s hating on a LITTLE BOY who is forced to live in such horrible conditions but when it comes to the whining young adult - everyone is loving her i cant with this fanbase i love lis2 so much and its a shame that this game got so little love

[@vamphorror666]

Bawled like a baby throughout this one 🥲

[@ellaelliott4415]

I got SO mad at times

[@KingMasey]

Amazing video, finally someone who voices my exact thoughts with this game.

[@cobrabear6497]

Best in the series

[@wickdaline8668]

If LIS5 ends up going the crossover/ensemble route, as allegedly teased in DE, we may see these two brothers again really soon.

[@sirmcfluffy9256]

amazing video my man always good to see a fresh new take on this game given it was quite panned on release, would love to see your take on the last of us 2

[@BTbenTR]

Haha, maybe one day, will have a video on Part 1 sometime next year for sure

[@vonniestewart4416]

my favorite

[@justsomeone5432]

Life is strange 2 is best in the series

[@Tuskbumper]

My two problems with this game was the "reason" the brothers ran away and the ending choices for this game. But i understood what they were going for. Despite everything the game wasn't awful but its funny to think that they could gave just not ran and it would've been fine.

[@SilentTrip]

It is unfair how much hate this wonderful game got. It ticked every element of great storytelling for me.

[@WGUG4]

LIS2 Isn't a bad game at all, i really like the first two chapters, but god i can't deal with more then that The main reason is mainly daniel being a Brat, i hate how at every start of the chapter, all character development just fades away and daniel just go back to being an annoying brat, i don't wanna deal with a kid irl, i don't wanna deal with a kid in a videogame neither

[@jtdarelli2362]

I'll admit, Life is Strange 2 got kind of a raw deal - what with people complaining about silly things like 'not playing as the character with the power' or 'not playing as Chloe and Max.' Stuff that really shouldn't have made a difference at all. But the game was bad. Like, even for a Life is Strange game. (SPOILERS) There's an old trope known as "the Idiot Plot" coined by Roger Ebert, who described it as "Any plot that would be resolved in 5 minutes if everyone were not an idiot." This entire game is essentially a 12-hour idiot plot. No one in this game acts like a human being. Instead, they're all caricatures of broad stereotypes and cartoonishly dumb bigotry. The antagonists - of which there are a _lot_ of, because seemingly everyone and their dog in the entire country is out to get these two kids - are so over the top and silly, it makes me feel like I'm in a 90's anti-drug PSA. It's like every character in the game has schizophrenia going from casual conversation one second straight to "ARE YOU A MURDERER?! HANDS ON THE GROUND MOTHERFUCKER!" The switch is so jarring that I actually burst out laughing a couple of times. The road trip setting seemed like a nice change of pace considering we had 2 games back-to-back taking place in the same town, and so now we get to travel all over the place. Except the story seems hellbent on taking all the worst possible aspects of a road trip plot without any of the charm or character growth. There are dozens of forgettable mini plots ranging from 'insane cult leader' to 'working on an illegal weed farm' that play just about no role in the conclusion of the game whatsoever. These scenarios carry on for way too long, including a point where you're literally just trimming leaves for five minutes straight. Like, it's not a cut scene. You _have_ to sit there and trim a freaking plant for five whole minutes. Unskippable. Side characters are more forgettable than ever. LiS 1 was usually hit or miss with the characters. Some were very memorable, for better or worse, such as Victoria or Frank or David, while others were so obviously zero-effort shoe ins that were just there to fill space. In Life is Strange 2, pretty much all the characters are the latter. No one sticks around for more than a few scenes and so building a bond with any of them is pointless. What's worse is because the plot _needs_ to move forward, your reputation with these characters hinges exclusively on whatever 'big decision' you make at the end of each chapter, making the 3+ hours you spend talking to them even _more_ pointless. The only exception would be their birth mother, who is actually somewhat interesting, but again, no one sticks around very long, and she disappears just as fast as she arrives. Then of course, the main characters. I've heard all the praise for the relationship between these two and I seriously don't see it. Like with all the other characters, 90 percent of your interaction with your brother doesn't matter. Instead, your dynamic is dictated by a handful of big choices that usually come at the end of each chapter. The endings are all incredibly unrewarding - ironically, the 'bad' ending ends up being the most satisfying, with both brothers sticking together and making a new life in Mexico just like they planned. Coupled with the terrible voice acting, emotionless character models, atrocious dialogue, and overall poor writing, Life is Strange 2 isn't just the weakest Life is Strange game - it's probably the weakest choice-based game I've ever played period. What holds it back is its hardheaded dedication to tell _it's_ story rather than letting you and your choices actually matter. There's no effort in making characters or antagonists relatable or realistic or even just entertaining. Everything is treated as a tool to deliver its over-arching message, which yeah, don't be racist. Solid message. But the game itself is a slow and shallow experience that shouldn't have been more than a 3 hour DLC if it was worth existing at all. The game almost bankrupted the franchise as a whole and it's easy to see why.

[@Dolphin2048]

Wait doesn't it have 5 mainline titles

[@jay-no9qq]

This game had potential but I think the shift in target audience, and a dramatic shift in setting hit hard. The original audience at least to a degree enjoyed a murder mystery in your hometown, with lesbian subtext between childhood friends, plus you use rewind powers where you can open up new dialogue options which was a good way to make point and click games fun. Verse life is strange two had a stronger focus on brotherly love. Which includes raising and Tolerating an annoying child. The powers this time around feels way more plot devicey which little to none live gameplay implantation. And the romance in lis2 felt hallow at least for me. And a road trip story made it hard to grow attached to anyone or any location since the only person who sticks around is Daniel who you may end up hating. I mean I did. Overall i think there are many valid critiques for this game but I think there was potential here to redefine what life is strange game is if it had better writing.

[@SirFunky]

Shame, this game got akot of hate for not including lesbian children making out. That's all lis fans care about these days

[@mimimendez80]

For real… LIS 1 the story line was good and bearable that part about the choices for partner… but the new one double exposure is filled with that agenda with a lame story line.. not to mention the way they presented holidays with that demonic krampus stuff

[@arnon85]

I don't like the premise of lis2. I don't see the reason for diaz brothers to run away. There seemed to be an unexplainable explosion of some sort, what would the police even charge them with? They'd probably just move under their grandparents' custody.

[@MyChannel-on9wc]

Nah this game was poo poo. Terrible writing and the emotional aspect was so forced like the dog dying. Cheap

[@KingMasey]

The dog’s death was purely there for teaching Daniel whether it’s ok or not to take revenge on something or someone after it takes away somebody you love.

[@H3rmon861]

And in comparison Kate’s s••cide attempt was peak writing with nothing cheap whatsoever, right?😅

[@KingMasey]

@@H3rmon861 if I remember correctly, Kate’s suicide didn’t have that many consequences afterwards apart from some different dialogue and you get a scene where you visit her in hospital. where as Daniel taking revenge on the Puma or not dramatically affects what kind of person he becomes when his power gets involved and thus becomes one of the biggest decisions in the game as it affects your ending in LiS2.