Arcadia wahey
- by Sammy Barker
Life Is Strange: Reunion currently looks poised to buck the trend of recent releases in Square Enix’s narrative series, as the title has rushed to an 85 on Metacritic.
Just for context here, the publisher didn’t send any pre-release review code out to media, citing spoilers as one of the reasons. We received our copy on launch day, and aim to bring you our verdict ASAP.
But some sites have already finished the story and have submitted their reviews. And everything seems positive so far about this send-off for Max and Chloe.
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That’s actually quite a surprise because dev Deck Nine had appeared to write itself into a corner with the more mixed Double Exposure, and obviously there’s been a lot of debate about how Reunion deals with the ending to the original game.
It seems like the studio may have nailed this one, though. Here’s the consensus so far:
Game Rant – 9/10
From the moment Life is Strange: Reunion begins to the very last choice, that answer is woven into every conversation, every contemplative moment, and every relationship. The answer lives in the same way Max Caulfield and Chloe Price navigate the weight of their pasts, the burdens of their present, and the uncertainty of their futures. And by the time the credits roll, it’s clear the answer to my question was always meant to be felt, understood, and ultimately accepted, one way or another.
DualShockers – 8.5/10
Life is Strange: Reunion feels like something I wasn’t sure we’d ever actually get—a sincere, tender, and heartfelt goodbye to Max and Chloe that understands why people fell in love with them in the first place. It’s far from perfect, with its technical hiccups, underdeveloped side cast, and that lingering illusion of choice holding it back from true greatness. But where it truly matters, it delivers. The mystery narrative holds its ground with a slew of twists and red herrings thrown at you. Most importantly, the emotional depth (finally) lands with a kind of honesty the series has been chasing for a few years. This isn’t about surpassing the original; it’s about making peace with its past. And somehow, against all the stacked odds, Deck Nine manages to pull that off in a redeeming fashion. If you’ve been on this journey since the beginning, it feels like closure, the kind that quietly sticks with you long after the credits roll as you’re waving goodbye.
Game8 – 8.4/10
Life is Strange: Reunion delivers a carefully crafted send-off for longtime fans, full of emotional depth, nuanced character relationships, and a story that rewards attention to the smallest details. While the gameplay can feel limited and technical hiccups occasionally distract, the strength of the narrative, the exceptional audio, and the quiet, intimate moments carry the experience. It may not be flawless, but Reunion is a heartfelt farewell to Max and Chloe.
Have you started playing Life Is Strange: Reunion yet? What are your thoughts on the story so far? Let us know below.
As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.
