後悔ばかりの人生を力強く歩む「ライフイズストレンジ2」

"Life is Strange 2" is an adventure game for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam published by Square Enix, in which the story changes depending on the player's choices.
Developed by DONTNOD Entertainment of France, the game was released globally in September 2018 and in Japan on March 26, 2020.

This game takes place three years after the previous "Life is Strange" game.
I think it would be interesting to start with "Life is Strange Before the Storm", another story in which characters you may have missed appear in unexpected places.
Of course, you can also start from "2" without any problems.

Because one choice does not determine your life.

This phrase is also the catchphrase of the game.
It sounds positive, but if you look at it again after seeing the ending, you may see a different meaning.
Issues related to racism, gender identity, and history are also heavily dealt with in the story of "Life is Strange 2".
The story becomes more profound when you consider the links between these themes and the real world.

Issues Linked to Real Life

The main characters, an older brother (Sean) and younger brother (Daniel), are on a long journey across the western part of North America to Puerto Lobos, Mexico, their father's hometown.
The story takes place in the United States in 2016-2017 and Sean and Daniel are second-generation Mexican Americans.
After the Trump administration took office, the issue of building a border wall reflects the situation since then.

While it is unlikely that the majority of the American public is of extreme mindset, the story also features racist and xenophobic Americans.
In this context, the possibility of minorities becoming antisocial is also dangerously portrayed as Daniel gains powerful forces in the case at the beginning of the story.

Morality

The older brother (Sean) = your choices as a player will change the morality of the younger brother (Daniel).
The system is based on your choices, but it also strongly influences what you value.
I can't say too much about it because it would be a spoiler, but this feature is also a major key word that holds the fate of the story.

For example, there is a scene in which Daniel's best friend Chris jumps in front of a police car to save his brother.
At that moment, depending on whether he helps his best friend Chris or just runs away to avoid being caught by the police, it will affect his trust in Sean and Daniel's morality.
Will he use his psychic powers to protect the people he cares about, or will he be okay with more people knowing about his powers because of it?
Some of the choices you make can be the turning point toward the ending, so you will be faced with the dilemma of whether or not to use your powers when you need them.

What do you recommend in "Life is Strange 2?"

As we enter the year 2020, the effects of Corona are spreading across the country.
In the midst of this, some of you may be confused that the rules of the world are changing every other week and what your boss is saying is changing every other week at work, and some of you may be wondering how long this situation will last.

It is important to think about what you want to value in the future and make choices in order to live in unstable times.
Through "Life is Strange 2", you can experience how your choices will affect your future.
The main character, the older brother (Sean Diaz), awakens to his special abilities after an incident. He sets rules to protect his younger brother (Daniel Diaz), and as they interact with each other, communication becomes difficult and they begin to drift apart.
The psychic ability can be used to get out of a pinch, but it is also a difficult ability to use, as it carries the risk of being caught by the police at the same time.
Also, you have to communicate with Daniel's feelings, so you have to make "choices" while considering what is important to you.

Two Wolves

This motif symbolizes the main characters, the elder brother (Sean) and the younger brother (Daniel).
It appears at key points in the story, so I think it will be interesting to examine it as you go through the story.
The story of the wolf brothers in the synopsis picture book, which connects the chapters, also changes with each chapter, so pay attention!
I also recommend that you look up "The Two Wolves of the Cherokee Nation" after the story is complete, as it adds depth to the story.

The Devoted Brother

In the prologue, the older brother (Sean) is a bit of a brat to his younger brother (Daniel).
However, an incident forces him to leave the city where he lives, and as the two move from place to place, a bond is formed. Even so, there are times when they cross paths with each other, but the subtle nuances of their relationship are somewhat familiar to those who have a younger brother or sister as the eldest child.
It is similar to the relationship between superiors and subordinates and the interactions between people in love.

Relentless reality

Depending on which character you are emotionally invested in, your view will vary, but you may have a lot of feelings for the main character, Sean, who is often controlled by the player. Really, even adults have a hard time making decisions in this situation.
The way the brothers, then 16 and 9 years old, confront the situation is courageous.
The ending gives you the satisfaction of having finished watching one quality movie.

Extra

A free demo version of "Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit", the prequel to "Life is Strange 2", is available.

The main character in "Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit" is Daniel's best friend Chris.
It is a prequel, so it is recommended to play it before starting the main storyline.
The saved data will affect the main story and will expand the world of the story even more.

Finally, we would like to conclude by saying

What do you think of "Life is Strange 2"?
If you are interested, please give the game a try.

In the last part of the game, will the brothers be able to reach their father's hometown?
There are a total of seven different endings.
Please travel with the brothers through choices that are the complete opposite of those in the first round, paths that you obviously would not have chosen on your own.
It will give you a chance to reconsider your own identity.
Let's adventure through the strange destiny together with your siblings.

Text by Masako Yamamoto