WhenLife is Strangefirst debuted in 2015, no one really knew the success it would accumulate. In fact, there’s a very good chance thatLife is Strangeactually helped Dontnod Entertainment a lot because of its acclaim and success. The first game and its episodic set up led to the release of a prequel,Life is Strange: Before the Storm, and a sequelLife is Strange 2, which had a different cast than the original game. There are a few elements that tie all these games, as well as the rumoredLife is Strange 3, together, but one stands out among the rest - representation.
The originalLife is Strangeis now known across the LGBTQIA2+ community because ofcharacters like Chloe Priceand the relationship she can develop with the protagonist, Max Caulfield. The brothers showcased inLife is Strange 2are of Mexican descent, and though it wasn’t a mainline game,Life is Strange: Before the Stormalso had LGBT representation. Though nothing has been confirmed about the rumoredLife is Strange 3, it’s possible that the franchise will continue to do what it’s always done best - give representation to marginalized groups and individuals.
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Previous Life is Strange Games
Depending on the decisions players makethroughoutLife is Strange, Max Caulfieldcan end up having a romantic relationship with her childhood best friend Chloe Price or her other good friend Warren Graham. Of course, romance isn’t the main point of the game, but it definitely fits in a story about a teenage girl trying to navigate her feelings in the mixed up world around her. While no labels have ever been put on Chloe’s sexuality, she’s definitely part of the LGBT community in some capacity, having an ambiguous relationship with Rachel Amber inLife is Strange(or not so ambiguous inLife is Strange: Before the Storm).
Life is Strange 2allowed players to get to knowthe Diaz brothers, an older and younger brother named Sean and Daniel, respectively, who are of Mexican descent on their father’s side. Having been abandoned at a young age by their mother, they were raised by their father Esteban. Though the brothers have a tumultuous and sometimes tragic story, it’s still important that two young People of Color (POC) are given the spotlight in the game. The boys also journey down the west coast from Washington state to try to get to their father’s hometown of Puerto Lobos, Mexico, which can be a successful or unsuccessful mission based on player choices.
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Life is Strange 3
The newLife is Strangetitle has not been confirmed, but it’s rumored to be in development under code nameLife is Strange: True Colors. Supposedly, the lead will be an Asian-American woman and the story will revolve around her discovering her ability to read minds. Supernatural powers wouldn’t be new to the franchise, though it would be the only time since the first game that players could control the character that possessed the powers. Dontnod’sLife is Strangehas dealt with time travel and telekinesis in the past, but never mind reading, which would make for an interesting story.
It’s also fantastic to see another POC get the lead role in aLife is Strangegame. Sometimes, trolls online like to complain about “forced representation,” but there’s nothing “forced” about telling a story from the viewpoint of someone who’s not only Asian-American, but a woman as well.ThoughLife is Strange 3hasn’t been confirmed yet, if these rumors remain true, players will be in for a great game that will be interesting in both content and the characters involved.
Life is Strange 2is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
