LIFE IS STRANGE SERIES | GAMEPLAY Q&A | SABRINACHERRY (Engels / English)
09-09-2022

Hello everyone and welcome to the very first gameplay Q&A! In this blog post I'm going to answer your questions about how I completed the popular game series called: "Life Is Strange". I will also tell you why I went for a certain choice.

In my previous blog post about the series, I noted the correct order of how to play the games. So if you're curious about this, all you have to do is click the button that takes you to my talk about the series.

This gameplay Q&A actually just happened. After I released my Life Is Strange talk in both Dutch and English, a lot of questions suddenly flooded into my inbox about how I had played the games and how I had handled certain parts of the story. So it seemed sensible to me to share everything in 1x in a blog post to save a lot of panic.

ATTENTION! This post contains plenty of spoilers! So if you want to keep the games a mystery to yourself, I don't recommend reading this post in its entirety, just go to the reading part of the game you're currently working on. In my opinion, this series is much more beautiful when you actually know almost nothing in advance and experience everything for the first time.

 

General questions (for information) :
1) How did you come to play the Life Is Strange games?
I discovered the Life Is Strange series through a game on steam called "Tell Me Why". The game was put together by the same makers and the gameplay is also very similar to that of Life Is Strange, but doesn't belong to the series. If you're a big fan of the Life Is Strange series, I definitely recommend playing that game too. Incredibly good story!


2) What song would you give Rachel Amber and Chloe Price?
Surf Curse - Freaks
I think the song suits both of them very well. In particular the lyrics: "I dream of you almost every night. Hopefully I won't wake up this time".


3) What game would you rather be or want to be a character in?
Life Is Strange : True Colors

 

4) What is your favorite Life Is Strange couple ship?
Alex Chen + Ryan Lucan
Don't get me wrong. I like all possible couples (except in Life Is Strange 2), but Alex and Ryan? Damn! ^.^

5) What is your favorite song from the Life Is Strange series?
Milk and Bone - Natalie
This song is used in Life Is Strange 2 as the end of chapter 3 approaches. The perfect song for the brothers! I know a lot of songs that appear in the Life Is Strange series. Except for the songs made specifically for it. So I think it's unfair to pick a song I've known for a long time.

Life Is Strange 

1) Hi Sabrina! As a result of your blog post I started playing Life Is Strange myself. So far I really like it and I'm definitely going to finish the whole series, but I don't understand how to create certain dialogues. Sometimes I can't go any further and find it difficult.

Hello! I can well imagine that you sometimes find it difficult. I also struggled with the gameplay at first, but eventually it fell into place. Basically what I've done throughout the game is going back in time as much as possible. Not with everything, but where I felt it was necessary. This is to discover other consequences as well. The great thing that you will encounter is that a non-playable character will eventually tell you something that can be important. Eventually you will see a small hint in the screen, such as that you have discovered a new dialogue. Rewind to the dot and then you can confront the non-playable character again.

 

2) I've played Life Is Strange and I'm in tears for real! Continue with the prequel! I have a hunch, but who is "the doe?" that occurs in the game?
Rachel Amber! Once you find her, "the doe" will disappear.

 

3) I'm not clever at puzzles or I'm totally overlooking something, but I'm really not getting out of Max's nightmare! Do you know how to get through this?

Uhm, I'm not exactly sure where you are regarding her nightmare, but I can definitely give you some hints! If you are in the beginning (where you have an endless corridor and rooms) then you have to look carefully who Max represents.

You first start by running to a wooden table. This is located at the door of the general bathroom. There is a key there and you have to take it. Then look at the number on the key. Use the key on the door with the number on it and go through it. Then there is a flash and Max stands as Rachel Amber. You can walk around and wait until you hear everything. It's kind of like, "I step into life through Rachel Amber's eyes". You are supposed to find Rachel Amber's bedroom. Once you've found it, you'll go through this one too. Victoria Chase enters the picture and you see her world on the walls. Queen V seems to be hated a lot and she doesn't realize it herself... Find her bedroom and eventually you have to go through Max's own bedroom. If you've managed to do this so far, you'll end up in school where everything goes backwards. Follow "the doe" and you will slowly go to a maze that you have to go through.

 

As for the maze, unfortunately I can't give many tips, because you'll really have to find the way yourself. It is important that you do not get caught. You can either wait, walk around and hear what everyone has to say about Max (you) or you can choose to go through as quickly as possible. If you get caught or you can't get through because someone is in your way, you can use Max's gift. In the maze you have to be very alert!

 

4) Okay, this may sound really weird, but for a virtual character, he's really HOT! It doesn't surprise me at all that all students love him so much. Although we know why Victoria flirts with him, but oh well. What do you think?
I think this is precisely the pitfall. Personally, I don't think Mark Jefferson as a virtual character is HOT, but I can well imagine that a large number of female or gay players of the Life Is Strange series find Mark handsome as a virtual character. Why? Even though I don't think he's handsome, he's got something. He just has something that will draw you to him and he knows how to use this to his advantage to make sure all students trust him. In doing so, you start to think that he is not a "person" who harms people.

 

5) Which is the best ending to choose?
In my opinion, Life Is Strange doesn't have the best ending. Both endings have a tragedy. Choose the tragedy you can live with as Max.

Life Is Strange : Before The Storm

 

6) OMG! No matter how many times I try, some backtalk challenges are impossible! How do I get through this? Do you maybe have some tips?
A tip the makers give you is that you should listen carefully to what that "person" has to say to you. Look for keywords in those sentences and then respond to them. I won all the backtalk challenges, but I have to admit that some are quite difficult. With some, you should actually try to respond from Chloe's perspective. What would Chloe say? Remember that Chloe isn't good with certain situations. Use this to your advantage!

 

7) Hey Sabrina, do you know how I can get Rachel to meet her mother Sera? James Amber really is a douchebag! Unbelieveable! What is your opinion about him?
Oh, I totally agree with you about James Amber. Can't believe what he's done! If you ask me, Sera is the bigger person in this story. Despite what he did to her, she never said a bad word about him. I thought he should get his karma and finally confessed everything to Rachel. He got what he caused, I say.

 

Regarding Sera and Rachel....I had absolutely no idea that this was actually a secret ending. I got this ending right after the first time. What I actually did is ask Rachel for her bracelet. Apparently this increases the chances of getting this ending. The reason I asked her for her bracelet is because I am "old fashioned" in this area. I think if you care or love someone very much in terms of friendship, then you can give away something of yourself. You leave a piece of yourself with someone as a keepsake. That was actually my idea behind the choice.

When Chloe meets Sera in the final chapter, strike up a conversation with her. Sera will list all sorts of things to make sure you, as Chloe, don't qualify her with Rachel anymore. This is because of what James has done (not only in the past, but also now what comes into the story). I as Chloe did everything I could to talk her down. Make sure you don't say goodbye to her. Make Sera think when she runs away from Chloe. Finally she emerges in a nice white dress and a flower. Finally daughter and mother!

 

8) What was a real foreshadowing for you? Do you think the moment matters to the players currently playing the game?
Oh my God! The moment of Samantha and Nathan in the hospital. Before you walk into Rachel's room, you can walk through and you will hear a conversation between Samantha and Nathan. Nathan is visiting her and says he feels bad. Then Samantha tells Nathan that she thinks it is sweet that HE wanted to take a picture of her. He did respond with of course, but watch his tone. At that moment, bells actually started ringing for me. It must have started here with Nathan. That slow insanity.

 

9) If you look closely at Rachel, you can see that the creators have really put a lot of thought into her appearance and personality. What do you think Rachel has in common with her mother when it comes to life?
Both Rachel and Sera sought an escape at a young age, but they never got it. The only difference is that at the time Sera sought her escape by using drugs. Rachel sought her escape through humans.

 

10) Which choice did you ultimately choose? Tell the hard truth to Rachel or protect her?
I have chosen to tell the hard truth. I thought James Amber couldn't get away with this without accepting the consequences. He got what he caused.

 

11) This is a question that is actually outside the game, but as a Cherry I thought I should just ask. Suppose someone from the past wants to come back into your life in a positive way. For example, someone from high school who misses you terribly or has always wanted you in life. How would you feel about that?
I would be open to it. Regardless of who it is. If someone wants to come back positively in my life, he or she is welcome. It can certainly be discussed. If it is someone who has a lot of regrets, then I am willing to listen to him/her. Regret grows as you get older and no matter how many times you try to put it away, you cannot escape regret. In the end you have to give in.

Life Is Strange 2

 

12) How can I get a romantic ending with Lyla instead of Cassidy or Finn?
You can't get a romantic ending with Lyla unfortunately, but you can get her in the end where Sean meets Lyla again after 15 years (see photo). This is only possible if Sean's morality with Daniel is good enough and you choose to send Sean to jail. In addition, you will only see Lyla if you have interacted with her enough throughout the game. So call twice and interact with her profile page.


13) How can I escape the hospital without hurting anyone?
That's a very good question, because that's what went wrong the first time. I realized when I continued to play with a second save what I was doing wrong. First of all, you need to open the window, but you can't do this with your hands. When the window is slightly open, you can inspect it. Look around and to the side. When you're done inspecting, go to the bathroom and try to get a bar loose. Then go back to the window and use the bar to open the window all the way. Then two options will appear. You go through it or back in the room. So choose to walk on the ledge. Walk slowly up the ledge until you reach the jetty where you can escape. Once you get to the jetty, you can do whatever you want. This will prevent it from becoming difficult to get out of the hospital.


14) I haven't played Life Is Strange 2 yet, but is it true that it features a character from the previous game?
Yes that's true! But I won't tell you who it is. The only thing I can tell you, it is a he (^.^)

 

15) Hi! Like the girl above, I haven't played Life Is Strange 2 yet. Can it be compared to its predecessor?
Hi!!! When it comes to gameplay, it can certainly be compared to its predecessor. The gameplay of the Life Is Strange series is visible in all parts including prequels. (except the first part, which is slightly different due to the fact that you can rewind time) When it comes to the story, I have to disappoint you that it is not at all comparable to the predecessor. Life Is Strange 2 is not the sequel to the story of Life Is Strange, but comes with a completely new story!

 

 

 

 

16) Finn or Cassidy?
With all due respect, but neither of them. Both characters fit into the story of Life Is Strange 2, but I didn't find either good love interests for Sean at all. Both of them felt very unnatural. Can't put my finger on the sore spot, but both feel more like normal friends to Sean. This is very personal by the way. You might like Finn or Cassidy for Sean while playing! (^.^)

 

17) Hi Sabrina, do you know how I can get the "Blood brothers" ending?
You only get this ending when the morality between Daniel and Sean is low and they both choose to cross the border into Mexico. It is seen as a bad ending as the brothers switch to doing crimes. However, many fans see this ending as a happy ending, as it is the only ending where the brothers are happy and at peace together.

 

18) What is your favorite ending to Life Is Strange 2?
Blood brothers, I have the same opinion as most fans about this. I just secretly wanted Lyla to be there. I ship Sean with Lyla.

 

19) How can I get the right ending in Life Is Strange 2?
To be quite honest there isn't really a proper ending in this game. Everyone has his or her own opinion about the different endings that can be discovered. You influence your end with the brothers through morality. If the morality between Daniel and Sean is high, you can get different endings than when it's low. So it's how you bond with Daniel. Unfortunately I can't explain it well. This is something that every player has to discover for themselves.

Life Is Strange : True Colors + Wavelenghts

 

20) OH YES! I'm finally at the number 1 favorite of one of my favorite bloggers! The beginning really scared me! I'm now back at the chapter where the festival started. According to my journal I missed a lot the first time, but I don't understand what I missed.

Life Is Strange : True Colors is slightly different from the previous games. In this game you have side quests that you can complete and with this you get the collection complete in the story which consists of memories. My number 1 tip in this game is to walk/run around every chapter and wherever you are with Alex's power activated. This way you will discover the most memories. Also, you really need to take this game as realistically as possible. So walk around each chapter carefully. Whether in Alex's apartment or on the street.

 

At the festival chapter you have several side quests that you can do before you go on stage (so talking to Ryan). You can go into the Black Lantern and comfort Duckie. You need Alex's gift for this. On the street you meet the couple who don't dare to say to each other that they like each other and want to form a couple. Help the couple FINALLY express their feelings to each other. Watch their aura change next (^.^)
Finally, you can run to the other side of the village, where the bus stop is. There you see Riley standing alone with a trolley. When you speak to her, you find out that Riley didn't dare say goodbye and takes the bus to go to school. However, you are faced with an important decision. Are you going to tell Riley about Eleanor or are you going to let Riley chase her dreams?

 

 

21) Now how can I make sure everyone is behind me at the end of Life Is Strange : True Colors?
Try to maintain as close a relationship as possible with all non-playable characters. With Eleanor, it's very important that you didn't tell Riley about her condition. Agent Pike is behind you (Alex) if you have convinced him that the truth is far more important than the enemy. He has finally gathered his courage and doesn't let fear walk over him. Charlotte and Duckie really speak for themselves. You should have a good relationship with both of them. Ryan is a tricky one. Basically instead of you asking him if he will believe you, you should actually tell him that you are terribly sorry. Ryan will accept the apology and fully support you. This is important anyway if you want to end up Alex with Ryan and not Stephanie. Stephanie will be the first to stand behind you.

 

22) I'm going to ask THE Stephanie question : Boys or girls?
For me? Boys, hahahaha! But that doesn't mean I don't really like it when the rest of the world shows their own sexuality. I just love it when people can share it freely (^.^)

 

23) Which love path is actually the most interesting to choose for Alex. Stephanie or Ryan?
I think both paths have something interesting. There are a lot of fans who chose Stephanie because we know her from Before The Storm of course and Stephanie is a really nice girl, but I chose Ryan because I think he and Alex have more chemistry. It's a personal choice. Maybe you don't like Ryan at all (Alex).

 

24) What is your favorite text from Life Is Strange : True Colors?
I especially like the text messages between Stephanie and Ryan. I think I laughed the hardest at the text message from the LARP in which Stephanie indicates that she has plans for Ryan and Ryan also ends up in the most crazy outfits, hahahaha! XD