Life is Strange
News, coverage and analysis tracking Life is Strange across the outlets.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Aphelion Review – A Stunning Yet Frustrating Sci-Fi Experience | Invision Game CommunityAphelion is a visually stunning but frustrating sci-fi experience from Don't Nod, featuring a slow-paced narrative and inconsistent checkpoint system. While the game boasts beautiful icy vistas and good voice acting, it lacks the character development and meaningful choices found in the studio's previous titles. Ultimately, it's a serviceable walking simulator with a standard sci-fi mystery that falls short of its potential.
How games can "queer the concept of time" - and help us explore, interrogate, and reinvent our relationship with life's many milestonesThis article explores how video games are examining the concept of 'queer time,' a non-linear and personal experience of life milestones often faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Games like Life is Strange, If Found, and Killing Time At Light Speed are highlighted for their narrative and mechanical explorations of identity, temporality, and societal pressures.
Report: Tencent mulling exits from multiple Japanese studiosChinese conglomerate Tencent is reportedly considering selling off minority stakes in several Japanese game studios, potentially at a financial loss. This move is part of a portfolio reassessment aimed at refocusing on user-generated content platforms. While investments in PlatinumGames Inc and FromSoftware are reportedly safe, the future of other studios like Marvelous remains uncertain.
Tencent is reportedly looking to back out of several studio investments like Story of Seasons developer Marvelous, but…Tencent is reportedly looking to divest from several minority investments in video game studios, including a 20% stake in Marvelous, the developer of Story of Seasons. This reassessment of its portfolio may involve selling stakes back to original management, even at a loss. Investments in studios like PlatinumGames and FromSoftware are reportedly unaffected.
Weekend PC Download Deals for June 19: GOG.com Summer SaleThis weekend's PC gaming deals include GOG.com's Summer Sale featuring discounts on titles like Hollow Knight Silksong and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. Steam and Epic Games Store also have various sales, with free games available on Epic Games Store and Amazon Luna. Humble Bundle offers several game bundles for different price tiers.
Life is Strange creator Don't Nod look to be in hot water as a financial report says they'll be out of cash by NovemberFrench game developer Don't Nod, known for the Life is Strange series, is reportedly facing a severe cash shortage and may run out of funds by November 2026. Despite releasing five games in three years, recent titles have not performed well enough, and minority stakeholder Tencent is not providing further funding. The company is exploring options including seeking external financing, accelerating a new game's release, or taking on work-for-hire projects.
Auditors warn Don't Nod will run out of cash by November if it is unable to secure financingFrench game developer Don't Nod is at risk of running out of cash by November if it cannot secure additional financing, according to its auditor. The company has sought capital from its largest shareholder, Tencent, without success, and has also failed to secure funding from other industry players. Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange, has previously restructured and made staff redundant.
Aphelion and Life is Strange developer Don't Nod in trouble as it struggles to secure funding for its next projectFrench studio Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange and Aphelion, is facing financial difficulties and may run out of cash by November as co-owner Tencent is unwilling to fund its next project or increase its stake. The company is seeking other publishers for funding, but discussions have not yet yielded commitments. This situation could lead to layoffs and a scaled-back development scope for its upcoming game, Project P14.- Life is Strange Creator Don't Nod Warned It Will Run Out of Funds This YearLife is Strange developer Don't Nod has warned that it will run out of funds by November of this year unless a new source of funding is secured. The company is seeking new investment to continue its operations.
The art of game writing in 'non-narrative' gamesVeteran game writer Emma Kidwell and narrative designer Harrison Pink discuss the role of writing and narrative design in games that are not primarily story-driven, such as strategy or multiplayer titles. They explore how even simple narrative elements can complement complex gameplay systems and enhance player experience.
For the sixth year running, Dontnod honors Pride Month by giving away an award-winning adventure gameFor the sixth consecutive year, Dontnod Entertainment is offering its narrative adventure game, Tell Me Why, for free throughout Pride Month. The game, which features a transgender protagonist and explores LGBTQ+ themes, is available on PC via Steam and on Xbox until June 30. Despite some criticism in past reviews, the free giveaway aims to support trans creators and charities.
Mixtape Isn't Just a Video GameMixtape is an artistic exploration of nostalgia and the coming-of-age experience, blurring lines between storytelling and multimedia art. Developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive, the game uses a curated soundtrack and vignettes to evoke the bittersweet emotions of youth and friendship. The article argues that such unique, artful experiences are vital for the evolution of the video game medium, even if they fall outside mainstream expectations.
Debate: What truly is the easiest character to cosplay?This article discusses the concept of the easiest character to cosplay, focusing on characters that require minimal effort and readily available clothing. The Sims is highlighted as a prime example due to the iconic Plumbob, while The Last of Us and Life is Strange are also mentioned as potentially simpler options. The author invites readers to share their own experiences with low-effort cosplays.
OPINION: Is Mixtape really a 10/10 game?This opinion piece questions the prevalence of 10/10 review scores for narrative-driven games like Mixtape, arguing that personal emotional resonance is often conflated with objective quality and innovation. The author suggests that while Mixtape is a sincere experience, it doesn't redefine the medium in the way landmark titles like Elden Ring or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild did. The article calls for a clearer understanding of what review scores truly measure in modern game criticism.
This very normal Half-Life mod lets you play as 'queen of spacetime' Max Caulfield, and it's convinced me that the next Life is Strange should be a full-on boomer shooterA new Half-Life mod, Half-Life is Strange, allows players to control Max Caulfield from the Life is Strange series. The mod integrates Max's powers and dialogue into the Half-Life universe, with the author suggesting the next Life is Strange game could be a full boomer shooter. The mod is still in development.
Mixtape Review | TheXboxHubMixtape, from Beethoven & Dinosaur, is a narrative adventure game that uses music to soundtrack pivotal moments in the lives of its three main characters. The game excels at exaggerating everyday events into fantastical experiences, creating a joyous and emotionally resonant journey. Despite minor flaws in dialogue and a narrow musical selection, Mixtape is a must-play title available on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC.
With Mixtape out today, the tiny number of coming of age games gets just that little bit biggerThe newly released game Mixtape, developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive, highlights the underutilization of the 'coming of age' genre in video games. While games like Life is Strange and Night in the Woods have explored this theme, Mixtape's focus on music and formative memories offers a refreshing perspective. The developers have opted against a DMCA-safe mode, emphasizing the importance of the licensed soundtrack to the game's experience.
Games Inbox: What’s the best video game to play when it’s sunny?Readers discuss their favorite games to play during sunny weather, with Super Mario Sunshine being a nostalgic pick despite its European release date. Other topics include potential Star Wars Jedi 3 announcements, the feasibility of a large-scale Lord of the Rings RPG from Warhorse Studios, and the challenges of making retro games appealing to modern audiences. The discussion also touches on the Resident Evil movie's accuracy, Microsoft's shifting stance on exclusives, and Roblox fans' rejection of AI graphics.
A 'major studio' is in talks to adapt Aussie indie The DrifterStory Kitchen co-founder Dmitri M. Johnson revealed that a major studio is in talks to adapt the Australian indie point-and-click adventure game, The Drifter. Johnson, who is also a BAFTA voter, was inspired by the game's story and initiated discussions for a potential adaptation. The Drifter has received critical acclaim, including Game of the Year at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2025.