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- Square Enix
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- Square Enix
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- Square Enix
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- Square Enix
Life is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection
Released On: Sep 27, 2022
66
5.2
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
All Platforms
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
66
33% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
61% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
66
33% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
61% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
6% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
The Life is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection invites you to re-experience two of the best narrative games ever made. Better still, the Switch port performs well with only a couple of hiccups here and there, meaning it’s a solid platform to experience the story of Max and Chloe on.
I want to believe that the Switch is capable of supporting graphic adventures, compelling stories, and riveting experiences that are expected from other consoles. For the case of Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection, I cannot help but express concern that this remaster is less of a remaster and more of a port of the original 2015 game, graphical artifacts and outdated loading times included. Yes, Life is Strange is an outstanding game and very easily one of the best written games I’ve played in my lifetime. The Arcadia Bay Collection comes with all the content associated with Life is Strange and Before the Storm. Switch owners should definitely play Life is Strange during their lives. But, if you own other consoles/a PC, then maybe you should consider trying Life is Strange on a platform that makes the game look and feel better than its original. If you already own Life is Strange, then this collection becomes much more difficult to recommend.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 28 User Ratings
5.2
50% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
7% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
43% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 28 User Ratings
5.2
50% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
7% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
43% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Life is Strange is a charming take on a supernatural teen drama, and while the story can feel bloated with plot lines at times, there is a lot for players to like. While being a compromised version of the remasters, the Switch version is still a competent port that ensures that players will get the whole experience with as few compromises as possible. However, players who don’t use handheld mode or intend to game on the go will experience long load times and visual drawbacks without getting any of the pros that come with acquiring the Switch version over any others. Life is Strange feels at home on the Switch and is an easy recommendation for anybody who hasn’t yet played through this quirky adventure.
Having the opportunity to get this collection for Nintendo Switch, and being able to live out the story of Max and Chloe anytime and anywhere is highly recommended. However, we believe that Square Enix was able to even further polish and improve the game by taking advantage of the unique possibilities that the console has to offer.
Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection features two great games, but the visuals leave a little to be desired. The story of Max and Chloe still hits you hard, but overall, it's let down by various texture and animation issues.
Life is Strange: Arcadia Bay Collection is a mediocre remaster and Switch port of two great games in the series. While the saga still holds up narratively, the gameplay experience is unfortunately greatly hindered by several issues.
Returning to Arcadia Bay has been pretty disappointing for me. The magic that I felt from the game in 2015 is gone as playing the episodes in quick succession makes their flaws all the more obvious. I would be unsure about recommending the best port of this game now, but my feelings on the Switch version specifically are far less complicated. This is not a very good port, and the baffling difference in quality between the original game and its prequel only makes that more blatant. If I could rewind time, I would go back and avoid playing this port so I could simply live with my positive memories of the original instead of confronting the serious letdown the remaster has turned out to be.
Summary The collection contains Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm. These two narrative adventures both set in the small town of Arcadia Bay (hence the name of the collection) and are renowned for their emotional stories, unforgettable characters, impeccably curated soundtracks, and compelling choice-based gameplay.
Rated M
for Mature
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch
Initial Release Date: Sep 27, 2022
Developer:
- Deck Nine Games
Publisher: Square Enix
Genres:
