We’ll have to wait until September for the release of Life is Strange 2 but that doesn’t take away the fact that you can already experience a completely new adventure set in the Life is Strange universe. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is a free introduction to the world beyond Arcadia Bay.
A different setting
If you played the Life is Strange games before, you were introduced to Max, Chloe an Rachel, all living in Arcadia Bay were things went horribly wrong. The game had a serious impact on how story-telling games should function and to this date still serves as a perfect example of a story done right. The Sequel, however, will focus on a new group of people, spread over five new episodes. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit offers a small taste of what is yet to come.
In this free game, you’ll control Chris, a young boy with a vivid imagination. Chris lives together with his father but he often flees to his imagination where he has superpowers. In his imagination, Chris can move objects with his mind. It’s a suiting superpower for a young boy like Chris, I think we all wanted that power at one point in our lives.
A bittersweet story
At first, you’ll immediately like Chris. He’s an enthusiastic young boy who’s constantly optimistic. But there’s a darker layer to the story. The father is slipping away in alcoholism and although he tries to be there for Chris, it’s easy to spot he won’t get a father of the year reward. Instead of spending time with his son, he likes to watch the game on television while Chris has to do several chores around the house. It’s a hard story deep down but thanks to Chris’s never-ending optimism and his alter-ego ‘Captain Spirit’, things remain fun to follow.
The best part of the game is the exploration. You have a list of tasks you can complete but there’s no set order. You can explore the inside and the outside of the house while battling against evil monsters in your imagination. It’s great to see Chris running around in his superhero uniform, transforming his harsh reality into an imaginary one where he’s in full control of everything. While you’re in this imaginary world, things can get a little dark and thrilling too. The game found the perfect balance between a hopeful and dark story.
A look at what’s yet to come
Although it’s interesting to follow the story, it’s not that long. The game really serves as an introduction to what Life is Strange 2 will have to offer. Compared to the first game, this one looks a lot better and Chris walks way more naturally than our other protagonists of the franchise. Besides that, selecting objects and interacting with them goes a lot more smoothly than before. But that’s not all, if you look closely, you’ll find some clues to where the franchise is heading in the true sequel. I’m not here to spoil anything but it’s advised to take a good look at your surroundings in order to find clues for what will happen in September.
Conclusion:
You don’t have to expect a lot from this free game. It’s a small teaser of what’s yet to come and you’ll be done with your first playthrough in less than one hour. Don’t be mistaken, however, the game is packed with clues and hints so discovering everything will keep you busy for a while. Chris is an interesting character to follow and the story will connect with your instantly. It’s not the colorful story you might have hoped for, there’s a lot of darkness in here but that’s what really makes it interesting. Since it’s free for everybody, I can only recommend you to download it and see for yourself.
