Life is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized

 Xbox One
Life is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 87 Ratings

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  • Summary: In Episode 5: Polarized Max learns that time is impossible to control as she moves inexorably towards the most agonizing decision of her life. Arcadia Bay, meanwhile, is preparing to weather a huge storm as Life is Strange comes to a gripping and gut wrenching conclusion.

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Life is Strange - E3 2015 Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. DarkStation
    Oct 28, 2015
    100
    It’s a meaningful and beautiful creation far more entrenched in the human experience than any other game I’ve played.
  2. ZTGD
    Oct 23, 2015
    90
    This final episode does some really interesting things, wraps up everything in an emotional way, and leaves me thinking about it even hours after seeing the final scene. If you haven’t played through this game yet, do yourself a favor and do it. Hopefully, you’ll feel the way I have throughout this adventure.
  3. XGN
    Oct 22, 2015
    90
    Finally we know the whole story about Max. It's difficult to make a decision in the end. But this is the best chapter.
  4. Gamestyle
    Oct 30, 2015
    90
    Max and Chloe’s adventure comes to an excellent end.
  5. InsideGamer.nl
    Oct 28, 2015
    83
    There is less gameplay in this last episode, but the story ends perfectly, accompanied by intense cut-scenes and the biggest choice you ever had to make in this game. The soundtrack is brilliant, the key characters are relatable and the game offers a lot of entertaining elements, that we will remember for a long time.
  6. We Got This Covered
    Oct 26, 2015
    70
    Polarized may have trouble determining whether it wants to be a movie or a game, but it's still a solid ending to a very good episodic series. There's a lot to like about this conclusion, even if parts are a bit messy.
  7. Destructoid
    Oct 20, 2015
    60
    Despite finding issues with this chapter at every turn, I found myself more or less fulfilled with the conclusion -- although, I firmly believe that's an enthusiasm for Life is Strange as a whole as opposed to this installment alone.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. cobaltskky
    Nov 28, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Omg, I shipped Max and Chloe so hard. I am so glad that the queer undertones were that - undertones. As high schoolers, these girls are still inventing themselves and it's great that they didn't use hard and fast labels to describe themselves. As a lesbian myself, it was so awesome to see a game studio delicately and respectfully handle the story of two young women developing their sexuality. Their relationship wasn't based on physical intimacy - it was based on love, solidarity, and a shared history. The writers captured very well the tumultuous whirlwind that is a relationship between two girls! Bravo to them! I would love to see another installment, but I simply don't know how they would do it without stripping the luster off this first installment(re: how the Matrix Reloaded corrupted the experience of watching the original The Matrix). There will always be a special place in my heart for the story of Max and Chloe.

    PS I cried so many times playing this game!! Good cries!! X'''')    … Expand
  2. Aias23
    Oct 25, 2015
    10
    This is how games should be. Not mindless exercises but instead engaging, thoughtful, emotional. This game grows with you. Well done toThis is how games should be. Not mindless exercises but instead engaging, thoughtful, emotional. This game grows with you. Well done to DoNotNod. Please support this game. It is not a AAA title, but it will give you so much more pleasure than your standard winter big studio release. GOTY 2015 for sure… Expand
  4. busbfran
    Oct 22, 2015
    10
    A down Right Chilling adventure about the butterfly effect, well done DONTNOD (The developers of Remember me). You have created one of theA down Right Chilling adventure about the butterfly effect, well done DONTNOD (The developers of Remember me). You have created one of the best episodic stories to date. Polarized is an emotional conclusion to a Stella series.… Expand
  5. PlanetJigsaw
    Oct 20, 2015
    10
    This is game can be described as an emotional roller coaster and this episode is the final fall before ending the ride. The game is amazingThis is game can be described as an emotional roller coaster and this episode is the final fall before ending the ride. The game is amazing from the second you start episode one to the end of episode 5. This episode alone made me question my own morals due to the end decision. I literally had to sit on my couch for 15-20 minutes thinking over life itself. This episode contains the hardest decision out of all in the entire game.… Expand
  6. eeyk
    Oct 20, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really like Ep1 Ep2 Ep3 Ep4 and 50/50 Ep5.
    Because at the end you can choose Death for you best friend or Death to all your friends.
    That isn't fair at all! if you choose to Save the town your choices doesn't matter at all.
    if you choose to save your best friends yout choices maybe make a sense in an Season 2.

    But i doubt it.

    Overall good game, nice story i did enjoy the year with the game.

    Best regards.    … Expand
  7. RShackleford
    Oct 22, 2015
    0
    Once again, this game is derivative garbage.

    Bioshock Infinite does Bioshock Infinite much better than Life is Strange does Bioshock    Once again, this game is derivative garbage.

    Bioshock Infinite does Bioshock Infinite much better than Life is Strange does Bioshock Infinite.

    Horrible writing, shallow teenage-dream stock characters, and that holier-than-thou "high art" atmosphere, what a bunch of crock.

    If the purpose of this game is to satirize, parody, and make fun of it's own playerbase/ subject ( Millennials), than I recant and give it a 10/10!    … Expand

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
91
#91 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015

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