How “Life is strange” finale open path for me to become myself.
Disclaimer. Below spoilers to “Life is Strange” game of Dontnod Entertainment ( It’s not like spoilers almost 5 years past but still… )
I believe it was October 2016 when I played “Life is strange”.
The outside was an overcast day. I playing episode 5 of the game. Chloe and Max were on the lighthouse cliff already. The storm is raging in the bay. I should make a decision. Arcadia Bay or Chloe Price.
I was ready to make it. Chloe should die for the sake of other people. I will make that choice even though I like this person so much! While playing the game I go through so many stories with her. I was happy, sad, enraged, and warmed as well, while the plot progressed. Beautiful writing of character personality and how she opens to me through the story. She seemed so alive. It touched my soul. I couldn’t hurt her at the other timeline ( you know what I mean), don’t have the power for that! Still, she should die, so the other can live?!
I believe so. I make choices like that for many years in other games. Damn, I believe that I should do it the same way in real life if the event of life and death will occur before me! The prosperity and benefits of many are more important than the life of one person.
I believe so until that moment on a cliff.
I stop myself halfway on clicking the WRONG answer. I thought “ What if instead of Chloe will be a person that now is a center of my life?!” Chloe was that person for Max, at that moment, I believe this. So I should think the same way, as Max at that moment. I pause the game. Turn my head and look at my wife. We were married since august. I think that I look at her minute or two until she notices.
— What’s wrong? She asks me.
— Nothing. Just thoughts.
Events of the entire game go through my mind. First meeting after a long time on parking. Hiding in Chloe's room. Shooting bottles on the dump. Breakfast in the “Two whales”. The pool. The kiss. Many others. But instead of Chloe my wife.
I think it’s was one of the hardest inner struggles of my life so far. My logical generous thinking clashes with feelings that I perceive. Logic failed this battle, first for so long time.
Immediately after I understand that I couldn’t sacrifice my future wife no matter what. I rip apart photo with butterfly and throw it into the storm. Arcadia Bay should be destroyed so the Chloe can live.
That particular moment shows me, how blind I was towards my own decisions so far. I remind myself about some events of my life and figured out that many decisions that I took were mostly beneficial or helpful for others but not me.
Pick Chloe instead of Arcadia Bay means to make a strong egoistic move! I did it and it feels different. I feel better after that. Even though my decision was destructive towards the city.
I grab that feeling and hold it deep inside me. It’s growth a long time and recently becomes a little tree that gives fruits of its struggling. I start to make things that benefit me more. Things that I want to do a long time. I do what is good for me.
All of that feels so good. But it’s not mean that I destroy some city in real life by creating a huge storm… I hope so… But also, it’s mean that I not always should think about what other people should thoughts about my decisions, deeds, etc. Until I don’t harm them directly I can do whatever I want! Their disagreement only rise up my self-esteem!
Thanks to Dontnod Entertainment for that game. It’s remarkable how people can create such a product that can push you to change the way you live!
