Life is Strange 2 looks to be a very interesting game- which is what you would expect from Dontnod after how deftly they handled the original. Everything we know about it seems engaging- it follows the story of two Hispanic brothers on the run across the American west coast, as they try to make it to Mexico in search of better life. We’ve even seen some of what the gameplay will be like.
But for all that we know of the game, what we don’t know about is the supernatural power or hook. The original Life is Strange had its protagonist, Max, being able to turn back time. We have already been promised that Life is Strange 2 will have a power, too- but we have also categorically not been told what that might be.
“There is, there will be a supernatural element in Life is Strange 2 for sure, but as with Life is Strange the power, or supernatural element, is linked directly to the story and the heart of the character, so for us it’s not cool stuff to do, but maybe a metaphor, a way to show something in Life is Strange,” Life is Strange 2 writer Jean-Luc Cano told GameReactor.
When asked if it will be an actual gameplay mechanic, like the time turning was in the first game, he said, “You will see, but what I can tell you is in Life is Strange, Max didn’t want to grow up, so her power to rewind time and change her choices was directly linked to what she is. In Life is Strange 2 we keep that in mind and change it a little bit. Life is Strange 2 is about education and brotherhood, so the power to deal with it on narrative… stuff. But you will discover it by yourself.”
It sounds super intriguing for sure- I wonder what it is, and I hope it is as compelling as turning back time in the original game was (which managed to add such a great spin to the usual cinematic adventure game formula). That said, as I have said before multiple times, Dontnod did so well with the original game that they have the benefit of the doubt on this one. Life is Strange 2‘s first episode launches on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on September 27.