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 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 15 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 86 | 123 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 85 | 164 |
| 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 (34)
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.
- 80
“We weren't particularly sold on the first two episodes of Life Is Strange, but we could see the kernel of potential that was hiding beneath the surface. Episode 3, Chaos Theory is where that promise finally bursts to the forefront, delivering an almost perfect balance of tense storytelling, organic dialogue, and improved gameplay, all while setting up a potentially brilliant follow-up episode. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“In the shadow of the incredibly powerful second episode, the midpoint in the series is a solid episode that felt for large parts like it was waiting for the next big thing to happen. Thankfully, Dontnod did just that with an almighty twist in its final few scenes that has you on tenterhooks with the seemingly infinite possibilities the story now holds.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There’s a lot of downtime at the start, but another shock ending does little to dilute what is the best piece of interactive storytelling so far this year.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Taken as a singular entity, Chaos Theory is not Dontnod’s best work, but there are still some interesting moments to be had should you choose to play.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“Dontnod is proven with Life is Strange that has the capability to create an excellent game based on narrative. The third chapter let us know more about its interesting characters and has one of the best finals in the game and in the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Those who like mysteries and point-and-click adventures do not want to miss what Life is Strange has to offer.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The people at the center of this story are so engaging that I’m starting to outright ignore awkward dialogue, because the emotional gravity of its storytelling is so much stronger than the irregular out-of-place line or questionable dialogue delivery.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Dontnod outclasses its former self with the best episode of Life is Strange yet. You'll be thrown on an emotional rollercoaster that won't leave your head anytime soon. On to the next!”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The twist at the end of “Chaos Theory” is nothing less than staggering in its audacity.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“Chaos Theory vastly surpasses previous episodes, offering a unique and thrilling experience that fans of graphic adventures and great stories won't want to miss. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Chaos Theory can’t escape the shadow of its superior predecessor, but that’s not to say it’s a bad experience. Once you power through the dull fetch quests and irritating Chloe Time, it manages to provide some powerful moments and the best ending of any episode so far.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Prior to this episode, the pace of Life is Strange was a bit all over the place with a very slow first episode and a rushed, but exciting, second chapter. With this third episode, Dontnod seems to have found the balance in character development and furthering plot points.”
read full review ↗
Push Square
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
DarkZero
Atomix
ActionTrip
IGN
Kill Screen
Hobby Consolas
GamesBeat
Arcade Sushi…and 22 more tracked reviews.