'Life is Strange 2: Episode 2' falters in an otherwise worthwhile journey

There's a unique difficulty to reviewing episodic games that differs from episodes of a TV season. As an experience, episodes of video games feel much more like playing hours of a self-contained vignette, rather than one segment of a whole.

And unfortunately, Life is Strange 2: Episode 2: Rules does not hold up on its own. Yet still, the goodwill from its wonderful premiere episode, combined with what it does get right, make the episode easy to give a pass on the rest of the game's sheer promise and potential.

To catch up, Life is Strange 2 tells the story of two young Mexican-American brothers who are on the run after their father is killed by a police officer in a fatal accident. In the latest chapter of their journey, they're seeking refuge from the law at their distant grandparents' home after years of no contact.

Oh, and there's the telekinesis too.

Episode 2 revolves around big brother Sean helping little (super powered) bro Daniel learn his way around those newly discovered powers. The reveal in Episode 1 left us on a high note of anticipation, since it's something of a return to how the first Life is Strange uniquely explored the idea of super powers which can't necessarily make you the all that powerful or heroic.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Unlike Max's rewind capability in the first game, though, Daniel's telekinesis doesn't necessarily do a whole lot to either deepen the story or the choice mechanics.

Going back in time created a fascinating tension for Max's decision making, since she could often see then reverse the immediate effects of a path she chose. But in Life is Strange 2, the powers aren't yours -- and worse still they don't really engage with many apparent themes or ask questions about the nature of fate, reality, or responsibility.

Then again, that could all change. Maybe as the two brothers get closer to their destination in Puerto Lobos, the telekinesis will play into their family history or be part of the mystery surrounding their estranged mother. Who can say.

Regardless, the relationship between the two brothers remains the core strength of Life is Strange 2. Yet even then, the strength of their moments together makes one wonder why there's even any need for all the supernatural stuff anyway when it gets so much of the grounded reality stuff right.

Even while developing the brothers' relationship further in Episode 2 by placing Sean in more of a parental role, the game doesn't give the two much time alone. shatters the solemn, intimate loneliness of their trek. The first episode captured Sean and Daniel in intimate moments of only having each other left to stave off survival.

More characters crowd the important interactions of Episode 2, and most of those characters aren't very pleasant to be around. In fact, this episode is the one that sees the triumphant return of everyone's favorite child-hero, Chris from DONTNOD's one-off prologue to Season 2.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

But instead of feeling like a cool melding of two worlds I've grown to like and feel affection for, the integration of the two plots feels sloppy and forced. Instead of a seamless merging of two disparate stories, it reads more like two separate stories passing like ships in the night.

Life is Strange 2: Episode 2 never quite gets where it wants to go. Certainly, dramatic events happen, but on an emotional level the tone remains largely flat.

As a whole though the issues with Life is Strange 2: Episode 2 feel likely self-contained. The core foundational relationships , if not totally reinforced by this next level in the floor plan.

In an episodic game, there are bound to be growing pains that we watch the studio tackle in real time as the season carries on. All in all, I wouldn't discount what DONTNOD has in store for us just yet.