Life is Strange 2: Episode 3 - Wastelands

Life Is Strange 2: Episode 3 still has a problem with pacing and may put off players who aren’t diehard fans of this series. But for those willing to forgive some of its more mundane passages, this episode delivers a pretty compelling denouement and hints at better things to come.

Life is Strange 2’s third episode is not quite as good as the second episode, but is better than the first. It’s the shortest episode thus far and has the least gameplay comparatively, but its writing is very strong. It doesn’t have quite the thematic coherence that ‘Rules’ did, but it’s still very well made. The characters are interesting enough to feel relatable but eccentric enough to feel special, and it drives home the distinct feeling of being someplace far away from everything that used to make Sean and Daniel feel safe — still, the characters are welcoming enough for them to feel safe.

Despite its supernatural themes, Life Is Strange almost always delivers an honest moment instead of a sensationalized one. There's something far more relatable about a teenager mumbling apologies after their "first time" instead of dancing down the street to the tune of "You Make My Dreams Come True," and it's these moments that truly solidify your investment in Sean.