Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 81 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 67 | 97 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 78 | 119 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (37)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
“Episode 1: Roads sets Life is Strange 2 up for potentially great things, but the entertaining moments are extremely fleeting in what is clearly intended to be an emotionally-driven adventure that works to set the tone for what is to come, with particular value placed on the story of brotherhood. The supernatural element at play as the main plot device is interesting, but it again only works to serve as a teaser for what is lying further down the road for the brothers. Not as gripping as season one, but this short episode does its job.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Life Is Strange 2: Episode 1, Roads has the same je ne sais quoi as its predecessor, but it’s a different kind of game. This isn’t a series about teenage angst anymore, it’s about survival in a contemporary United States that’s more hostile than it’d like to think it is. Larger, more detailed environments and inconclusive moral decisions that have a direct influence on key cast members make for an impressive, brave opening. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Life Is Strange’s sequel is off to an impressively daring start, both in terms of the subject matter and creating a brand-new cast of characters.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“This first episode for Life is Strange 2 is one of the biggest surprises of 2018 so far. Dontnod Entertainment not only has improved its saga in a technical way, but the script and characterization for the game presents huge and delicate topics among the American culture. ”
read full review ↗ - 77
“Though its social criticisms feel broad and rather clumsy so far, its core story of brotherhood and fraternity between two believable characters is already enormously touching.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“As enjoyable as always, Life Is Strange is back with this second opus that brings new characters and renew the IP that can more easily welcome new players. Life Is Strange 2 still has some flaws but let's not forget this is only the first chapter of many.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The first episode of Life is Strange 2 looks very ambitious and promising. The change in the game's environment from urban to road-trip reflects its different but interesting story of survival and political drama and despite it's slow start, episode 1 includes all the small things that will probably make the entire season a big and unforgettable experience.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“This first episode introduces us to two new characters and a brand new story which feels like a breath of fresh air. It grabs you by the throat and you'll keep playing until you see the end of it which promises good things for episodes to come. DontNod nails the way they portray human behavior in its characters, the bond between brothers and an otherwise riveting narrative.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Life is Strange 2 strikes out on its own. In a amazing captivating first episode we meet the new central characters and begin an immensely interesting, and sad, tale.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Life is Strange 2 might be a different story, with different characters on a different location: other than that this has the same feel as the first series. Amazing.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The first episode highlights that the series still works at its best when it aims for its quieter, more poignant moments.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“With Roads episode, Dontnod once again proved how good they are in creating modern adventures and mixing them with sensational stories and over the top character designs. There are tons of improvements comparing to the previous version and while the ending of the episode could’ve been better, there is still much to enjoy from.”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
Push Square
Metro GameCentral
Atomix
IGN
Wccftech
DualShockers
BaziCenter…and 25 more tracked reviews.