Life is Strange Comparisons

Genre – crime, drama, sci-fi

Life is Strange features a variety of settings each creating a new and unique atmosphere, for example Blackwood Academy is busy and full of life yet comes across as a mundane, depressing place. In contrast, Chloe Price’s house, along with Max Caulfield’s dormitory feel much warmer and more friendly. Friendship and trust is present throughout the game and the use of the lighthouse and junkyard help to add to the intimate mood. These locations are also seen in the movie, Juno, with several scenes being just two characters sitting together either at home or on a park bench. Other similarities in areas include the high school and rich, suburban neighbourhood visited by Juno later on in the film.

The characters in LiS are mirrored in the novel, now a movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the

antagonist Max Caulfield and Charlie, is a shy introvert with minimal friends, their best friend is outgoing and wild, Chloe Price and Patrick, and the love interest is a little strange, but kind and sweet played by Warren in the game and Sam in the film.

Life is Strange follows the story of an 18 year old teenager who discovers she has the ability to rewind time and only reveals to her old friend and together they try to uncover the mystery behind what happened to Rachael Amber, a missing student, and who is behind it all. Similarly in the TV series, Smallville, Clark Kent, a young man, realises he has superhuman powers, but only shares his secret with a few people including his best friend Pete, and must stay hidden whilst trying to fight off his enemy Lex Luthor and stop him from harming anyone, much like David Madsen and Nathan in LiS.

Images common in both Life is Strange and the graphic novel, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, including a loud, crowded party, a diner and confrontations between 2 or more people. Costumes seen in the two media are also similar, with the antagonist usually wearing casual clothes such as jeans and a hoodie and the secondary character having coloured hair.

Themes present throughout Life is Strange and all these other media include ‘working together’ and ‘friendship conquers all’ as the main narrative in every story features at least 2 people helping each other to overcome an obstacle.