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Life Is Strange

Choice-Based Narrative Game

Ratings

Age

16+

Category

Adventure

Languages

English

Life is Strange is a five-part episodic game that sets out to revolutionize story-based choice and consequence games by allowing the player to rewind time and affect the past, present, and future. You are Max, a photography senior who saves her old friend Chloe by discovering she can rewind time. The pair soon find themselves exposed to the darker side of Arcadia Bay as they uncover the disturbing truth behind the sudden disappearance of a fellow student.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

95/100

Life is Strange is more than a game; it's a deeply emotional experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. The mobile port is remarkably well-done, preserving the beautiful painterly aesthetic and the hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack. The touch interface for rewinding time feels natural and intuitive, making the central mechanic even more satisfying to use.

The story of Max and Chloe is handled with such nuance and empathy. It tackles heavy themes—bullying, loss, and the weight of destiny—without ever feeling exploitative. The branching choices actually feel significant, often leaving you paralyzed in thought before you commit to a decision. It’s a masterclass in narrative design that turns the mundane halls of a high school into a high-stakes supernatural mystery. If you haven't played this, you are missing out on one of the finest stories in modern gaming.

Dinsun reviewed on: Wed Feb 25 2026

Features

1

Award-winning storytelling

2

Unique time-rewind mechanic

3

Beautiful hand-painted visuals

4

Licensed indie soundtrack

Tips & Walkthrough

Gameplays

Screenshot

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Q&A

Yes, Episode 1 is typically free to play, with subsequent episodes available via In-App Purchase.

Ratings & Reviews

Invalid Date

Mixed Review. Caution: Contains spoilers
Sat Jan 22 2022 BrennaBiserka

I really liked this game in the beginning. The music, atmosphere, characters, and mysteries are very compelling. I liked the camera games. Max’s powers are fun in every way, and so I didn’t like the message in the last episode that the cost of using her powers had to lead to death or destruction. Shame, fear and depression dominated the ending, leaving a bad aftertaste. The game was addictive and exciting and I was very caught up in it, but it went from a charming story about friendships and growing up to a dark place where I hated to see the story go. I don’t think the many choices I made changed major things in the plot- just minor ones. I was disappointed in the end. I’m middle-aged, and so it was a treat to get to play an 18 year old. It brought up some good memories from that time of my life. At first it was strange, and then it became fun and nostalgic. I will give this review 4 because it was a highly creative, original, and captivating experience, but in some ways, it deserves a 3. There needed to be at least one way to avoid the dark outcomes for it to have been a 4. I want to add that for people who have experienced sexual abuse, hiding in the dark from someone with a flashlight is a difficult thing to endure just to get through to the ending. I think the game needs a trigger warning of some kind. I read several reviews where PTSD was triggered.

I have *ONE* complaint.
Tue Apr 16 2024 bad, unoriginal, name.

I don’t have the vocabulary to describe this game in a manner that will do it justice. Life is Strange is just that unbelievably incredible. I can say however, that it is one of the best, if not *the* best, games I’ve ever played. The reasons why are… difficult to articulate, but I think that it almost certainly deserved every award and 5/5 review it has received. I would have given it one as well, (a first for me) if not for two reasons: one, I am not convinced that there is such a thing as a perfect game; and two, episodes 2-5 are only available if you pay! I understand why that is so and, much as the paywall infuriates me, I can’t say that would have done anything differently. Still, if you ever have enough funds to do so, maybe make one or two more episodes available for free? I guarantee that it would make all of us who love the game, but lack credit cards, very, very, *VERY* happy. Thank you for reading this, and thank you so much for making such an amazing game. I hope that things will only get better in the future. With the highest respect, An anti-whaling part-time gamer.

This game is REAL!
Sun Dec 23 2018 Nate Van Der Linden

When I first started the game I had kinda low expectations but after half an hour of playing it, I couldn’t stop. Everything from the commentary, to the soundtrack is spot on! As for the story it’s awesome that you get to be a part of it. You have the complete freedom to make the choices you want in extremely dire situations, like pulling a trigger or saving someone’s life! Also, it’ll make you think hardcore, to find solutions to some crazy problems. I really love how this game points out to the player what kind of morals they have, and how good they are finding solutions. Even though the game is virtual it’ll pull you in and make you feel like you’re really doing it in real life. I promise this game with all its five seasons is totally worth the price and will get you feeling like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. If you have a pretty boring life (like me) and want some crazy drama, this game will give it to you! I just finished it and I’m on my way to play the next “Life is Strange””Before the Storm”, and I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. This game is REAL and you’re gonna love it! I promise. Just try it out ( the first season is free) and you’ll see what I mean!

Riotously infuriating update - PLEASE READ
Thu Aug 01 2019 WillDaBeast496

First and foremost—this is a beautiful game. I love absolutely every aspect about it. It is nearly perfect in every way. You’re probably wondering why I gave it two stars now. A few months ago, it said an update was required if I wanted to keep playing. When I tried to download the update, it wouldn’t work. I tapped it, an arrow orbiting clockwise appeared, and then the exact same thing popped up—an update is required. I went from place to place—at home, at Walmart, outside, in the passenger seat of a traveling car, and nothing changed. I made the conclusion that I should probably delete the app and then reinstall it, and that should reset whatever is wrong, so I did. But when I try to download the game, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENS. And now, I can never play this game again. What’s worse, I BOUGHT the second episode (the first one is free) before the update, and never got the chance to finish it. It’s been like this for a few days now, so I decided to edit my previous five-star review. I warn you, if you play the first episode of this game, you will be hooked, and you WILL download the episodes after (I only had enough money left in my iTunes account for one), but if you encounter this fatal flaw, you can kiss that eight dollars goodbye, because that’s how much you’ve wasted on absolutely nothing.

Great Game, but I got stuck in Episode 2 due to bug
Thu Dec 27 2018 guesswho!!

I purchased all episodes and I got stuck in Episode 2 after Max took the shower, listened to the conversation of Victoria and her friends and then needed to get back to her room to get dressed and pick up Kate‘s book. My problem is that I am unable to enter Max‘s room. The room is not activated. It does not show that it is Max‘s room (no white arrow saying „Max“) and there is no function to open the room. It looks like an inactive graphic. It is definitely Max’s room (room 219 with the white board saying „Max“). I tried to rewind time, I tried to go back to the last checkpoint, I quit the game and restarted it, I restarted the iPad, I even uninstalled Episode 2 and reinstalled it. Nothing helped. When the game continues at the last checkpoint I am standing in front of Max‘s room but I cannot enter it. It is obviously a bug and I can’t proceed, because I need to get into Max’s room before the game lets me leave the dormitories. Its a shame, because I would like to play the game over the X-mas/New Year break. I wont have time for it after. I contacted the developer and now I am waiting for a response. But my fear is that they are on holiday break as well. Keep you posted. Update. Did not receive feedback from developer yet. I will have to claim to get reimbursed, because I can‘t continue playing the game. Stuck in Episode 2.

This is my FAV game, but a bug has me stuck in Episode 4, end of 2nd to Last Chapter!
Tue Dec 11 2018 SLHart99

Love this game. Played before the storm, too. This ones better. Played great my first time through. I’m having a problem playing it the 2nd time through... making different choices and having the story play a bit different. The game way playing great until the 2nd to last chapter in episode 4 of the dark room. I’ve now restarted the game about 6 or 7 times. Every time I click on leave the party, Mr. Jefferson is announcing the winner and right before he does the game completely shuts down. It didn’t do it the first time I played the game through.. but it is now. Because I made new choices.. I want to see the new ending. And because I’m not playing in collector mode.. I can’t skip through to the next chapter. It’s only a short chapter that is mostly narrative, but if I go to episode 5.. the bonus.. it’ll take me to how I finished the game the first time. I offloaded the app. And it’s reloading again now. It’s my last hope for the game to fix. I wish there was a way to get a response through my email or on the App Store about how this could be fixed.

EDIT: JOURNAL WORKAROUND!!!The game is Five Star, but journal error makes unplayable
Mon Jan 17 2022 Colton Bauer

My original review will stay because the game still needs to fix the issue; however in the interim I found a workaround that someone suggested on Reddit. If you go into your display settings in the IOS settings app and change to zoomed, then you will be able to at least exit the journal, the screen is not perfect, but especially for those like me who have played the game on an older iOS device or have already paid for the game, this will make it playable. But it is not perfect and this issue very much needs to be addressed! First off, this game is absolutely beautiful! The choices have a real impact on the people around you and how people think about you and interact with you. I picked this up years later After my friend recommended it, and can B only regret I did not play it sooner. However, I originally played this on iPhone 7, and it worked wonderfully, but now I went to play again in my iPhone 13, and have the Same error as many others in that the journal cannot be excited or properly navigate. This is making the game unplayable, and now I’m sad. :(

not compatible with iphone 13…PLEASE FIX ASPECT RATIO!
Wed Nov 23 2022 Via.4man

life is strange is my favorite franchise ever, and i play it almost monthly. a few years ago i saw it was cheaper to buy it on mobile, so i did just that. granted it’s not a great port, but it’s still a playable and enjoyable game. when the remastered came out, i bought it on pc and deleted the app. well, i had a 9 hour flight coming up, so i redownloaded the app on my new iphone 13 in hopes to play the entire game. i couldn’t get past the first 10 minutes. the aspect ratio is all messed up, and it’s impossible to exit the journal. shortly into the game, you are forced to look at your phone (connected to the journal) and you can’t progress unless you press the exit button, which doesn’t exist if playing on iphone 13. this is ridiculous. dontnod or whoever runs this app, please fix this. i didn’t loose any money on it as i played it in the past, but someone who buys the whole game before playing could easily lose money. there are several other reviews stating the same thing as i, and if you encounter this error, i urge you to leave one as well. maybe if we get the rating down far enough or have enough critical reviews, they’ll have to fix it. and if they don’t, that says a lot about them as a company.

Some Youtube Videos found!

News found!

Life Is Strange Series, Based On Critically Acclaimed Video Game Franchise, Ordered At AmazonLife Is Strange Series, Based On Critically Acclaimed Video Game Franchise, Ordered At Amazon

The massively popular 'Life Is Strange' video game is being adapted into a TV series at Amazon — get details.

TVLine Tue Sep 23 2025

SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Life is Strange 2’, Plus the Latest Releases and SalesSwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Life is Strange 2’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for February 7th, 2023. As I mentioned yesterday, I had some things to take...

TouchArcade Thu Feb 23 2023

‘Life Is Strange’ Is Now On Android With Full Controller Support‘Life Is Strange’ Is Now On Android With Full Controller Support

Dontnod Entertainment's award-winning adventure game “Life is Strange” is now available on Android and comes with full controller support.

Variety Mon Jul 23 2018

[Update: Out now] Square Enix's graphic adventure 'Life is Strange' is finally coming to Android in July[Update: Out now] Square Enix's graphic adventure 'Life is Strange' is finally coming to Android in July

Square Enix's Life is Strange started its existence as an episodic graphic adventure game for PC and consoles back in 2015.

Android Police Mon Jul 23 2018

Deal: Square Enix's Life Is Strange is free on iOS for a limited timeDeal: Square Enix's Life Is Strange is free on iOS for a limited time

Unlike the PC and console versions, the iOS game comes with Life Is Strange iMessage stickers. On top of that, players can share their...

PhoneArena Mon Apr 23 2018

Life is Strange coming to iPhone and iPad on December 14 with exclusive new features, available now for pre-orderLife is Strange coming to iPhone and iPad on December 14 with exclusive new features, available now for pre-order

LONDON, UK – December 12, 2017 – Square Enix today announced that DONTNOD Entertainment's award-winning, five-episode narrative-driven...

Square Enix Press Hub Sat Dec 23 2017

‘Life is Strange Episode 1: Chrysalis’ Review – Square Enix Kicks This Series off With a Bang‘Life is Strange Episode 1: Chrysalis’ Review – Square Enix Kicks This Series off With a Bang

Set in the fictional Arcadia Bay, you play as Max Caulfield in this adventure. Max is a high school student at Blackwell Academy and the story begins with her...

TouchArcade Sat Dec 23 2017

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