\n<\/p>\n
Life is Strange: Reunion lives up to its name in more ways than one. Players return to Caledon University, the setting of the previous game, Double Exposure, to unravel a new mystery alongside much of that game\u2019s cast. Max Caulfield\u2019s time-rewind powers from the first Life is Strange are back in full force. And, of course, fan-favorite character Chloe Price makes her grand return to the series after over a decade-long absence. Retreading these familiar grounds offers nostalgic fun and some effective emotional beats. However, Max and Chloe\u2019s swan song also lacks the exciting freshness of its predecessor, and its core mystery takes some frustrating missteps.<\/p>\n
Reunion is a direct follow-up to Double Exposure, taking place nine months later. It’s the least newcomer-friendly entry due to how much its events hinge on having played the 2024 adventure and, to a lesser extent, the first Life is Strange. Although Reunion opens with a cinematic recap of Double Exposure\u2019s pivotal moments, character development and characterization of its cast are largely lost. The game doesn\u2019t spend much time re-establishing the snoopy journalist Loretta or the sly and secretive Vinh, and my interactions with these characters were largely colored by knowing how they behaved in Double Exposure. If you haven\u2019t already, I highly recommend playing the last game before embarking on this new journey.<\/p>\n