Life is Strange, a choice-and-consequences, narrative, adventure game, was kind of a sleeper hit. When it was initially released, it wasn’t very successful; however, later on, people started taking notice of the game, it attracted a lot of attention, and it became a huge hit.
The game focused more on the development and growth of the characters rather than action or puzzle solving, completely opposite from the majority of games.
As its popularity grew, developers took notice and were inspired to create other games that are similar in nature. If you’ve already played Life is Strange and you’re looking for another game that mimics the experience, read on for 15 great alternative titles.
Life is Strange Game Features
 Release Date: | 30 January 2015 |
 Developer: | Dontnod Entertainment |
 Publisher: | Square Enix Europe |
 Platforms: | Android iOS Google Stadia Linux Microsoft Windows OS X PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 Xbox 360 Xbox One Nintendo Switch |
 Genre: | Graphic adventure |
 Setting: | Real World |
 Game Modes: | Single-player |
1. Oxenfree
Like Life is Strange, Oxenfree is a narrative game that has attracted the attention. A teenage protagonist named Alex is the star of the game. Upon departing for a weekend getaway to Edwards Island with three of friends and her stepbrother, the trip starts out relaxing, but the relaxation comes to an abrupt stop when the group encounters powerful ghosts.
Alex, her brother, and her friends are able to create time rifts and suddenly, the larger group splits into smaller groups that are scattered across the island. From there, the game really takes off, as time is bent and rifts are created that are not only experienced on the island, but that affect Alex’s personal life, too.
Players discover a hauntingly cryptic past on Edwards Island; however, the island isn’t the only place where Alex encounters ghosts, as she discovers that she has a few ghosts of her own.
During the game, you’ll need to face reality and help Alex make the best decisions. The storyline is highly interactive, the action is engaging, and the characters are well-developed. Oxenfree is available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
- Developer: Night School Studio
- Publisher: Night School Studio
- Initial Release: January 15, 2016
- Platforms : PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Android, Linux, iOS
2. The Last of Us: Remastered
When discussing gaming in the early part of the 2010s, The Last Of Us is pretty much guaranteed to come up in conversation. The game, which was released in 2013, made waves, as it redefined what storytelling meant in a video game.
The Last of Us is a zombie-horror game, a genre that certainly wasn’t anything new when it was introduced; however, what is new that this game introduced was a meaningful, moving storyline. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game follows the story of Joel and Ellie, two survivors.
The characters, who are not related, find one another and team-up in an attempt to survive. Joel is brave and strong, and Ellie, though she is young, has a tremendous amount of wisdom and heart. The pair join forces, and the game follows the pair as they travel across the United States.
As you’d expect from a zombie-horror game, successfully making your way from one location to another is challenging. To survive, the pair has face their fears. To feed themselves, they must kill, and they need to find and use weapons to protect themselves from enemies.
While it isn’t a graphic adventure game, The Last of Us does a great job with its themes, which include humanity, family, and loss, which really bring the game life and make it engaging.
- Developer: Naughty Dog
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release date: July 29, 2014
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
3. Firewatch
If you’re looking for a game that offers a unique atmosphere, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that can compare with Firewatch. If you’re a fan of Life is Strange, you’re definitely going to enjoy Firewatch, as it shares a lot of similarities, aesthetically pleasing landscapes, philosophical questions, and of course, cliffhangers.
Firewatch, which was released in 2015, follows the main character, Henry, who has recently been hired by the Wyoming Wilderness Watch Group. It’s a first-person game that immerses players into Henry’s new daily life.
Alone, bored, and feeling a sense of concern, Henry can’t shake the feeling of danger, which looms over his head. Throughout the game, he brings his concerns to his supervisor, Delilah, throughout the game. Henry’s life is constantly evolving throughout the entire duration of the game.
Firewatch is engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking. It’s available on Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
- Developer: Campo Santo
- Publisher: Panic Studios
- Release Date: February 9th, 2016
- Platforms: PS4, PC
4. Beyond Two Souls
If you’re looking for an alternative to Life is Strange that’s a bit heavier, you should consider Beyond Two Souls. The stars of this psychological action game are Hollywood actors, which makes it different from other games on this list, and helps it really pull on your heartstrings.
The main characters of the game are Jodie (voiced by Ellen Page) and Aiden (voiced by Willem Dafoe), and when Jodie learns there’s a connection between herself and Aiden, she discovers that her destiny is a whole lot grander than she ever dreamed.
The decisions that Jodie makes bear heavy consequences. Aiden, a supernatural entity, and Jodie’s connection to him, can put her and her loved ones in harm’s way.
As you play, you’ll need to help Jodie make her decisions, and as you do, you’ll see the story unfold in a visually pleasing, wonderful way.
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Publisher: Sony
- Platforms: PS3
- Release Date: 8th October 2013
5. Night in the Woods
In this alternative to Life is Strange, you’ll play Mae Borowski, a college dropout who is attempting to find her way in life. The game is set in the fictional town of Possum Springs, Mae’s hometown. As she explores Possum Springs, Mae discovers that things changed a lot after she left for college, and these changes may not be for the best.
The primary change that Mae discovers is the difference in personalities and behaviors that her family, friends, and neighbors are exhibiting. Possum Springs feels cold and it’s just “off”, which leaves Mae feeling very uneasy.
Mae realizes that due to these changes, she might not be able to find the escape that she was hoping for in her hometown.
Similar to Life is Strange, Night in the Woods is endearing and comical. The storyline and characters are well-developed, and the game examines things like relationships, mental wellness, and dreams to life in a new way. This game can be played on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC.
- Developer: Infinite Fall
- Publisher: Finji
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, IOS, Android
- Release Date: February 21, 2017
6. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is another great alternative to Life is Strange; however, it isn’t like any of the other titles we’ve mentioned thus far in that it is definitely a horror story.
The game starts with Paul Prospero, the protagonist who is a detective by trade, receiving a letter from Ethan Carter. Upon reading the letter, Paul quickly realizes that Ethan is in trouble and he rushes to Ethan’s hometown, Red Creek Valley.
As soon as he arrives, Paul realizes that there is way more at stake than Ethan’s well-being; his own well-being, as well as the safety of the entire town are in danger.
You’ll play the game as Paul, and as you move throughout the story, you’ll have to use detective skills, as well as supernatural powers, which will help you pull the pieces of Ethan’s story together – which ends up being a piece of the puzzle all its own.
7. What Remains of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finch conveys the two main ingredients that make a graphic adventure game appealing and successful: love and grief. In fact, we might be so bold as to say that What Remains of Edith Finch is one of the best alternative to Life is Strange on our list.
Giant Sparrow, the creator of the game, made What Remains of Edith Finch as a collection of stories, which examine the life and death of the members of a family that is cursed. Ever member of the family has his or her own unique story to tell, and you’ll experience these stories unfold as you play the game.
Edith Finch – the main character of the game and who you will play as – is motivated to uncover her and her family’s past, which current frustrations that she is experiencing have sparked her desire to unearth the past. Edith is the only member of her family who is still living.
She believes that there is a lot more to her story than she knows, and she’s determined to find out. To find the answers she seeks, she goes her family’s old home, which is located in Washington.
Running only about three hours, the gameplay isn’t very long; but nonetheless, What Remains of Edith Finch doesn’t skimp on narrative. Edith discovers that her family’s history is very rich, and that it lives on forever.
8. Last Day of June
Like What Remains of Edith Finch, Last Day of June is one of the best alternatives to Life is Strange on this list. Acclaimed by critics, this graphic adventure game does a wonderful job of highlighting the humanity that joins people together.
Carl and June, a young couple who are deeply in love, are the main characters of the Last Day of June. The game follows the pair as they embark on a magical adventure. Their lives, which are deeply interconnected, end up in tragedy when June dies in a car accident, leaving Carl alone. The death of June unleashes the game’s heart and soul, and you’ll go through Carl’s heartache and grief throughout the story.
During Carl’s journey, he must solve puzzles and make challenging decisions. It’s evident that Carl desperately wants June back, but he must decide how far he is willing to go to get her back.
The love, loss, and changes that this game brings to life make Last Day of June a timeless story that you’ll be sure to remember forever. It’s available to play on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC.
9. The Walking Dead
Though it might not be the first game that would come to mind when you’re seeking a game that’s similar to Life is Strange, believe it or not, The Walking Dead by Telltale has a lot in common with Life is Strange.
While there isn’t any time-travel in this game, and the premise of this game is surviving a zombie apocalypse rather than the multiple issues that are at the foundation of Life is Strange, nonetheless, The Walking Dead is an emotional story; hence why it has a feel that is similar to Life is Strange.
The Walking Dead is a series, and the first game in the series is definitely where you’re going to want to start. That’s because, as you would expect, the first game introduces both the world and setting that you’ll be navigating, as well as the cast of characters, many of whom have recurring roles, throughout the game.
You’ll play as Lee, a man who has committed himself to protecting a child, Clementine, from the dangers of the post-apocalyptic world.
While you’ll encounter a lot of threats throughout each episode, the most important decisions you’ll make concern how you’re going to manage maintaining your relationships in the middle of chaos.
Similar to Life is Strange, the choices you’ll have to make in The Walking Dead seem to be inconsequential, but each one will end up having a huge impact on the end.
10. Until Dawn
A mega-hit by Supermassive Games, Until Dawn is another narrative-based game that is an excellent alternative to Life is Strange. Though the model of this game is a bit different, as it’s more like an interactive horror movie, it’s highly engaging and explores many of the same themes as Life is Strange.
Another major similarity is that like in Life is Strange, player choice drives what happens in Until Dawn.
While there are similarities, it’s important to note that there are distinct differences. Apart from the fact that it’s like an interactive horror movie, in Until Dawn, you’ll take on the roles of several characters, and there’s a good chance that you’ll find out that some of the decisions you make could end up being life-threatening.
If you enjoy Life is Strange and you aren’t afraid of being scared, Until Dawn is a great alternative to consider.
11. Before Your Eyes
At the most basic level, Before Your Eyes is a pretty interesting game, as the premise of this game is looking back at life after death, and you’ll do so while being accompanied by a psychopomp.
Of course, Before Your Eyes isn’t the first game to do this; however, the entire premise of looking back at the decisions you made throughout your life in order to gain a better understanding of where you are now definitely makes Before Your Eyes similar to Life is Strange.
What’s really sets Before Your Eyes apart, though, is the technological step forward that it takes, which is really quite revolutionary. Rather than a controller or a mouse and keyboard, Before Your Eyes is driven by a webcam.
The webcam quite literally tracks your eyes (hence the name), which allows you to look around and connect with glances instead of with just your fingers.
While this strategies isn’t perfect and there are some issues, it’s still revolutionary and makes this game very unique. If you’re seeking a game that is totally one-of-a-kind that has lots of heart, then you should definitely consider giving Before Your Eyes a try.
12. Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit, which also goes by the name Indigo Prophecy among some players, is an earlier rendition of a 3D narrative game. It’s the first real attempt by the developer, Quantic Dreams, and you can see a lot of similarities between the foundation of this game and games like Until Dawn and Detroit Become Human (two games that are also great alternatives to Life is Strange); namely, this similarity is the very heavy QTE experience.
What makes Fahrenheit different from Until Dawn and Detroit Human, and what makes it more similar to Life is Strange, is the relationships, which are complexly interrelated, as well as emotional trauma, in order to navigate the game.
As you play Fahrenheit, you’ll be in control of three characters: two police officers and someone who is suspected of murder. As the game progresses, you’ll discover that you’ll be working at odds against yourself as you alternate between the three characters. That said, however, you’ll also see dramatic growth in the characters.
Fahrenheit takes a power supernatural twist pretty early on in the game before it jumps off the rails completely at the end. Nonetheless, the super-impressive relationship between the characters definitely adds to the excitement.
13. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit
A lot of the alternatives to Life is Strange are heavy, which is why The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is so unique – because it’s much more lighthearted.
Released in 2018, points and beats in the plot of this game are very similar to Life is Strange; however, distance from the series is maintained, as stories and characters that are better-suited for a younger, teenage audience are presented. As such, if you’re seeking a game that is similar to Life is Strange for your teenagers or younger brother or sister, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is an excellent title to consider.
The story begins with Chris, a 9-year-old boy who has a very active imagination. Chris lives in Oregon with his father, and their life is pretty ordinary; however, both father and son hold onto the pain and grief of losing Chris’ mom. As such, Chris feels like his reality is pretty dull, and he seeks to escape it and find meaning and adventure. He assumes the identity of a superhero named Awesome Captain Spirit – his alter ego – on his adventure.
As you’d expect from a child’s story/ game, Captain Hero encounters lots of adventures and costume changes as he travels through the story and attempts to save the day.
14. Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human was created by the Quantic Dream team. As you can probably guess from the title and if you’re familiar with the creator, it’s a science fiction game, and we included it on our list of alternatives to Life is Strange because it requires a lot of decision making.
Detroit: Become Human examines the future of humanity: transhumanism, the merging of man and machine, as well as robots. Then the robots become fully autonomous, they become physically and mentally advanced, and their abilities are a serious and dangerous threat to the human race. As you can imagine, the game really takes off from there.
As you play, you’ll have the ability to shape the future of a future world that runs the risk of being controlled by robots. You organize chaos and speed it up; the decisions are yours to make, and you can shape the storylines of the characters, too.
The storylines in Detroit: Become Human are cynical, yet the gameplay is quite ambitious. The best features of this game is building new worlds that intertwine the lives of the characters; for instance, the decision of one character has a distinct impact on the life of another character, just like in real life.
These features, along with a variety of endings, make Detroit: Become Human a super-engaging and entertaining game that’s a great alternative to Life is Strange.
15. Vampyr
Rounding out our list of the best alternatives to Life is Strange is Vampyr. In this game, you’ll travel back in time to England in the early 20th century, where you will discover what it meant to live a powerful, yet damned life. You play the part of Jonathan Reid, a doctor who is on the frontlines as flu sweeps across the nation.
At first glance, it might seem like a pretty simple game to play; however, in reality, it’s actually quite complex. Not only is treating patients challenging, but the fact that Dr. Reid is also a vampire, a secret that you probably guessed from the title of the game, makes things even more complicated.
Dr. Reid is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in that his personalities switch, and you’ll have to help him balance those personalities: that of a good doctor and that of a blood-thirsty vampire. Reid wants to help people and find a cure, but his lust for blood is difficult to contain.
Conclusion
Life is Strange is one of the best narrative, choice-and-consequences, adventure games.
Whether you’ve finished playing the game and you’re looking for something similar or you’re interested in finding something that’s a bit more appropriate for younger players, you will be sure to find a great alternative (or several) that will meet your interests and suit your needs in the 15 titles described above.
Each of these alternative games shares similarities with Life is Strange, though there are marked differences in many. Nonetheless, you’ll be sure to find hours of action, adventure, and thought-provoking entertainment with any of these titles.
