We continue our series on the episodic adventure game Life is Strange, with episode 2.
This episode of the podcast does deserve a trigger warning for discussion of sexual assault, rape and suicide. Not necessarily connected or in that order. The discussion got a bit heated in the middle over one of the choices in the game and the implications several of us felt that they reflected in the real world.
I know my measure of what a good game is from the viewpoint of a work of art is not necessarily one should cling to, but I find the as a general measure, the amount and quality of discussion a work can generate between a group of good intentions is a reflection on the work’s quality.
I’ve waffled on what I’ve felt towards Life is Strange, with these early episodes feeling a bit uneven standing alone. But the later episodes and the discussions I’ve finally got to have with my peers has improved their stature in my eyes. As much discussion gets distracted by off sounding slang and potentially soap opera style plotting or whatever else talking points get bandied about, I find that a lot of the core — the themes and emotional resonance — of the art and craft get pushed to the periphery. I feel like so many, those who like it and hate it, are ill equipped to actually talk about it as a work of art, if the discussions I see and hear are any indication. It’s not just this game, I feel preconceived notions drive a lot of criticism, even the well written criticisms, where those judgements and not after the fact consideration is the final say. Everything else is just excuses to make the game fit the mold. It’s not just Life is Strange, just the latest and most obvious example of this being done.
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“I’d rather of of ‘oh wells’ than a life of ‘what ifs.’”