This Will Come Back to Haunt You: Choice and Time in Life is Strange

Abstract

Let me introduce you to someone. Her name is Max Caulfield, and she is the star of Dontnod Entertainment’s Life is Strange. That’s a better name than what I assume was the original draft version’s: Max Caulfield and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Max is having a rough time. She’s just discovered she has the power to rewind time while retaining her awareness of events. It just happened to be triggered by witnessing the death of a long lost friend. But all is not lost! Max’s power is used in the game in precisely the ways you imagine it would be: to fix mistakes. Did you give the wrong answer in class? Rewind and give the right one. Say something unintentionally offensive to a classmate? Rewind and say something flattering instead. Sometimes the stakes are a little higher. See a girl get shot right before your eyes? Go back and ring the fire alarm, providing the distraction she needs to escape.