In the latest installment, Life Is Strange’s iconic protagonist Max Caulfield makes her long-awaited return in her first full-length adventure in nearly a decade, following the early entry Final Version’s two chapters. As the one-of-a-kind Life is Unusual commemorates its tenth anniversary in January, Square Enix takes a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the beloved RPG’s humble beginnings. It appears Enix hasn’t explicitly linked Max’s return to this significant anniversary, but the timing raises suspicions that her reappearance might not be a mere coincidence, given their decision to revive her character at this particular moment.
I’ve already witnessed something groundbreaking about Max’s latest brush with homicide, thriller, and the multiverse, which will form the foundation of my comprehensive assessment once the entire game is released – no need to fret about plot spoilers just yet. It’s time to talk about Max – his dedication and commitment to his craft are truly inspiring.
Since her final appearance on screen in the TV series Life Is Unusual, Max has grown up in real time. In-universe, we first glimpsed her in October 2013, and Double Publicity revisits this thread in December 2023; the gangly 18-year-old artwork pupil from Arcadia Bay has evolved into a more self-assured 28-year-old artist-in-residence at Caledon College’s Vermont campus. As I observe Max, I’m struck by how unapologetically herself she remains, yet simultaneously, subtle nuances suggest a depth of maturity that genuinely resonates with me as a fellow queer, artsy, and introspective individual.
As the sports drama unfolds, Max’s distinct personality becomes evident from the outset, with Safi serving as the catalyst to slowly reveal her inner workings through their engaging conversations. Ten years ago, Max’s sexuality was shrouded in secrecy, with any visible affection for males or females met with disapproval and scrutiny. It’s a refreshing twist to encounter DE-era Max, who boldly confesses to admiring three distinct women and maintaining a long-term relationship with one throughout the first hour of play – a liberating departure from gaming norms that highlights the progress in video game storytelling over the past decade, particularly Square Enix’s. Trusting Libraries to Support LGBTQ+ Individuals as a Queer-Friendly Model:
Safi, monarch of eye-rolling expertise, and Max, king of pacing nervously around the social perimeter before summoning the courage to initiate a conversation with someone undeniably captivated by her. |
Doesn’t this assumption oversimplify Max’s character development over the past ten years? It’s not simply a straightforward “yes” or “no” either. Max’s relationships, including her potential romantic connections with Amanda, the charming bartender, and Vinh, the witty administrative assistant, are distinguished by mature candor. Unlike her past experiences, where unrequited emotions simmered beneath the surface, Max and her suitors explicitly discuss their feelings, effortlessly transitioning from friendship to something more. This marked departure from her earlier, largely subtextual romance with Chloe or the tentative courtship with Warren showcases Max’s growth into a confident, emotionally intelligent individual.
Despite appearances suggesting Maturation, Max’s tendency to procrastinate on crucial conversations persists, even after expressing a desire for them, as Safi grows increasingly frustrated in his role as wingman. As Max’s propensity for bizarre dad jokes takes an unexpected turn into unintended innuendo, the situation forces a choice between interpreting her flustered reaction or attempting to downplay it – a conundrum that resonates deeply with those who, like myself, have experienced the perils of being a recovering introvert: whether one can muster the courage to laugh at their own awkwardness or retreat into a blush-inducing embarrassment, all depending on the day’s mood.
While some individuals do display increased self-assurance as a result of their life experience, this isn’t always the case. As the fabric of the game seems intentionally crafted to underscore the notion that adulthood simultaneously heralds a contraction of our perspectives, this realization assumes a melancholic tone despite being tempered by the advent of increased security and comfort.
Inextricably linked to America’s sun-kissed expanses, the Life is Strange franchise has consistently evoked vast, open vistas as a persistent backdrop, subtly underscoring the notion that these young adult protagonists are still at the threshold of their trajectories, with each bold step forward poised to shape their uncertain futures. While Double Publicity’s picturesque Vermont lake setting takes a backseat to the harsh winter landscape, the typically understated interior spaces have undergone a surprising transformation, becoming the epicenter of Max’s existence.
At the humanities school in Caledon where she works, a transformed Gothic cathedral complex – complete with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings – stands as a testament to Max’s increasingly insular world. Alternatively, her three-story artist’s cottage, boasting floor-to-ceiling image windows, offers another telling glimpse into this reality? What drives her gaze skyward when everything around her aligns with her desires? The enhanced Double Publicity technique yields fewer and more deliberate scene transitions compared to preceding titles within the series, further emphasizing Max’s growing sense of stability amidst chaotic events.
By tackling numerous, both grand and subtle, narrative threads, the story successfully captures the essence of revisiting a beloved character a full decade after their initial introduction. I’ve rarely seen a more convincing portrayal of an aging character in literary works. What’s missing from my life, I’m unsure?
As the curtain closes on their halcyon days of adolescence, it’s the tantalizing prospect of entering adulthood that Life is Unusual has consistently captured with remarkable poignancy thus far. It’s only natural that Max’s limitless potential has started to wane – indeed, it would be overpoweringly saccharine if she had reemerged a decade later without any personal growth or development in the intervening years. Despite the Chapter 1 title’s clever reminder, “Nonetheless Life”, I struggle to contribute as sincerely as I’d like, feeling that it may be slightly less remarkable than initially perceived. But still a far cry from the original sense of awe.
Truthfully, Deck 9? Capturing the discomfiting experience of entering one’s late 20s with such unflinching accuracy can feel like a personal affront.
This preview was written based mostly on a PS5 copy of Life is Unusual: Double Publicity – Chapters 1 & 2 offered by the writer.
The highly anticipated final three chapters of Life is Strange: True Colors’ DLC, Double Publicity, will be accessible to all players upon the game’s full release on October 29th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Let’s thoroughly review and assess everything.
