It’s safe to say that fans of Life Is Strange are looking forward to its titular sequel. From the narrative-driven journey centered around Max Caulfield and Chloe Price comes Life Is Strange 2, a compelling and arduous story of two brothers. The sequel comes with the familiar charm of the first game, a heart-wrenching narrative, and more areas to explore.

DFTG had the opportunity to get a hands-on impression of Life Is Strange 2, the highly anticipated sequel to follow the emotional and story-driven narrative of Chloe and Max. This time however, the team behind the award winning franchise introduces two new main characters – brothers Sean, 16, and Daniel Diaz, 9. Players will explore several new locations as Sean, while Daniel is an intuitive AI that seeks out new finds and objects. This presents opportunities for interactive dialogue and scenes. One of the first areas the brothers will explore is a dense forest area in the Pacific Northwest and the boys must learn to live off nature and what she has to offer, and scavenge where they can. 

In terms of gameplay and control, Life Is Strange 2 is smoother in comparison to its predecessor. One of my critiques of the first game pertained to its clunky and awkward, but forgivable maneuvering. Since it was a narrative-driven experience, it’s one of those features that could be improved, but didn’t take away from the overall experience. The sequel vastly improves gameplay controls for more natural movement and interactions with the environment.

Facial expressions and eye movements are still awkward however. Emotions don’t always coincide with the phenomenal voice acting work the studio means to portray, but there’s only so much animators can get right without physical actors and motion capture technology. Keeping in mind that DONTNOD’s focus is on an impactful story, progress, and meaning – staying true to what the loyal fan base knows and loves.

Will there be heartbreak or heartache? Yes, if the first 20 minutes of gameplay revealed last month wasn’t evidence of this already. Players can build relationships and bonds with new characters and most importantly, the one with Daniel. With that said, there’s no right or wrong way to go about Life Is Strange 2, but each action will reap consequences – good and bad. Taking a candy bar from an abandoned car for example – what might that entail down the line? You’ll just have to find out.

For those who don’t quite know what Life Is Strange 2 is all about, here’s what we know. The story starts in Seattle, WA when a tragic incident drives two young boys from their home. To escape the vigilance of authorities, Sean and Daniel head south to their father’s hometown of Puerto Lobos, Mexico. As revealed in the gameplay trailer, the death of their father leave the boys orphaned. To makes matters worse, Sean must come to understand the powers bestowed upon him and just how to control it.

Along the way, the Diaz brothers will meet unforgettable characters as seen in The Adventures of Captain Spirit, the free to play demo released earlier this year. Players assumed the role of Chris, a 9 year old boy with an active imagination, a troubled family history, and a superhero alter ego. At the tail-end of the demonstration, the young boy meets the Diaz brothers, but he’s just one of the characters Sean and Daniel will encounter.

For now, that’s all DFTG can reveal. The team at DONTNOD have outdone themselves once more, offering a compelling and emotional journey that fans of the franchise will want to get their hands on as soon as possible. As a fan of the first game myself, the sequel only offers more to love and cherish with improved visuals, environment to take in, and a heart-wrenching story of growth, grief, and brotherhood.

What are your thoughts on Life Is Strange 2 so far? Are you preparing your mind and body to embark on a new adventure DONTNOD has in store? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or start a conversation on DFTG Facebook page. To stay up to date on gaming news as it happens, follow us on Twitter! Here’s some of our latest:

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The first episode of Life Is Strange 2 arrives September 27th, 2018 for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.