Some episodes or games are written better than others while some seasons could have been longer to flesh out the story. There are episodes that differ from each player and that is what makes the franchise unique in its storytelling. Here are the best 10 episodes of the Life is Strange series ranked, according to Metacritic.
10 Brave New World (79)
The second episode of the prequel, Before the Storm, “Brave New World” develops the bond between Chloe Price and Rachel Amber. Not only does Chloe deal with her future stepfather David planning to move in with her mother Joyce, but Rachel also has hopes of leaving Arcadia Bay with Chloe by her side. Taking references from Shakespeare from the episode title and including The Tempest, this episode is heartwarming at times, and dramatic when needed to be.
9 Farewell (80)
The thought of seeing Max and Chloe for the last time was simply put, bittersweet. Before the Storm includes the bonus episode “Farewell” that takes place before Max and her family leave for Seattle and Chloe losing her father in a car accident.
The episode acts more as to provide fanservice, but considering that the players grew attached to Max and Chloe, this was a beautifully done sendoff to the characters that make Life is Strange beloved to this day.
8 Awake (80)
When fans were able to play as Chloe, it was a big change as she never gained powers, unlike her best friend. It was Chloe’s way of words that would either help her way or she would have to find another option to get by. “Awake” helps flesh out the story of how Chloe and Rachel became close and what would eventually lead to the events thereafter. And even though Rachel is beloved by many at her school, she herself is not satisfied with her situation.
7 Roads (81)
Life is Strange 2 takes drastic measures to make the series take on a different turn. Instead of the player controlling someone who has powers, they take responsibility as the older brother of a sibling who discovered their powers after their father’s murder.
As Sean, fans have to be the influential brother to help Daniel make their way to their father’s hometown in Mexico while being on the run as they were accused of the disaster that accompanied their father’s passing.
6 Hell Is Empty (81)
Serving as the third and last episode for Before the Storm, the tension arose when Rachel accused her father of cheating, but he revealed that he was giving a goodbye to his daughter’s biological mother. This leads to wanting to Rachel to meet her somehow, but it comes with conflict along the way. Compared to the last episodes of the first and second seasons, this one does not have that big of an impact due to Rachel’s fate in the first game.
5 Dark Room (81)
“Dark Room” brings Max and Chloe closer to figuring out the disappearance of Rachel Amber while also having to deal with the End of the World party, which is run by Nathan Prescott and his family. After having to make a difficult choice in an alternate world, Max brings herself back to where Chloe is alive and well for now and figure out the evidence they have found for Rachel’s whereabouts.
4 Chaos Theory (81)
The mystery surrounding what happened to Blackwell students Kate Marsh and Rachel Amber has led Max and Chloe to investigate the truth. The third episode from the first season showcases the strong friendship the girls have and with the help of Max’s powers, makes things easy for them to leave without a trace.
But Max’s rewind powers can do more than just fix a mistake, as she can enter photographs as long as she’s in it, which leads to messing the time-space continuum even more.
3 Faith (82)
Episode four from the second season has Sean on his own as Daniel ran away to Nevada, but it will be hard to convince him to stay by his side. This episode tests the boys’ relationship as their absent mother, Karen, makes her first appearance after being perceived as an abandoning and selfish mother.
“Faith” is a compelling episode that deals with forgiveness and amps up the emotional levels of the brotherly bond between Sean and Daniel.
2 Wolves (83)
As the final episode for Life is Strange 2, “Wolves” does not hold back in amplifying the tension that is to come for the fate of Sean and Daniel. With seven different endings, the choices you make as Sean are very dependent on if Daniel can learn to be a better person by doing the right thing or choosing himself and his brother over everyone. If there will be a Life is Strange 3, after Tell Me Why, Dontnod will have a lot to do to improve themselves with the effort they put into this season.
1 Polarized (83)
Tying with Life is Strange 2’s fifth episode, “Polarized” goes all the way to bring the season to a closing. We witness Max’s internal conflict of the choice she will have to make, whether to sacrifice Chloe to save Arcadia Bay, or let the tornado destroy the town so her best friend can live on.
To this day, people are still split on the final choice and they both have good and bad points. It is logical to sacrifice Chloe to save more people, while the same can be said to protect a loved one from any harm.
Next: Tell Me Why: 5 Things We Already Know (& 5 Very Likely Possibilities)
