DONTNOD and Square Enix have announced that the season finale of Life is Strange 2 will be released on December 3. Leading up to its release, they have provided details on how the choice and consequence system works in the game and how it is different from the first game and other games that have a similar system. The developers said: “as we approach the #JourneysEnd, we wanted to take some time to deep dive on one of Life is Strange 2‘s most important, but also misinterpreted systems. We hope that this added insight will help you guide you in your decision making as you start Life is Strange 2 either for the first time or on a repeat playthrough.”
Life is Strange 2‘s choice and consequence system is centered around Daniel. While other choice and consequence systems act like “if you choose these specific three or four options you should get outcome x”, The system for Life is Strange 2 and Daniel is far more complex. However, the developers did stress that the traditional branching system is present in the game, it isn’t focused on Daniel, but on the secondary characters in the game and the relationships you build with them.
The added layers of complexity with the system revolving around Daniel comes from morality and brotherhood. Daniel’s morality state determines how he acts in any given situation. Does he act in a kind and considerate way, or is he entirely selfish, without regard for other people’s feelings or safety? Daniel’s brotherhood state determines how he responds to what you, as Sean, teach and ask of him. Does he trust you to make the right choice for the two of you, or will he disregard what you say because you’ve been unable to win his trust?
There are no right or wrong choices. The developers said “the choices you must make in Life is Strange 2 are, like in other Life is Strange games and life in general, imperfect options.” Some decisions that are made will improve Daniel’s morality while they can have a negative impact on Daniel’s trust in Sean, you and vice versa. The developers also explained that opposing choices aren’t just mirrors of each other. For example, choosing option A, which may increase Daniel’s morality doesn’t mean that option B reduces his morality by the same amount. Every choice is weighted individually and entirely on its context. Choosing the opposite of a choice that would have affected Daniel’s brotherhood and trust may not impact his brotherhood either negatively or positively.
Major choices in Life is Strange 2 will have a greater impact on Daniel’s education but smaller choices can outweigh the bigger choices. So far, the game features over 50 individual choices that can push Daniel in different directions whether it’s becoming moral/amoral and/or trusting/not trusting. The choices you make can be seen throughout the game by Daniel’s behavior.
The ultimate outcome of the Life is Strange 2 story reflects the accumulation of all your previous choices with regards to Daniel. His actions and demeanor are determined by what you taught him throughout the season, in interactions big and small. This will be important, particularly when he reaches a point where he may well assert his independence and start making big decisions of his own.