Life Is Strange 1, 2(kinda) and Double Exposure Reveal Livestream Spoilers Ahead!!!
Max is genuinely so traumatized no matter what ending you choose. Girl watched Chloe die, saved her, was attacked by Nathan, stalked by Nathan, investigated a murder, saw her best friend’s, best friend’s dead body, was kidnapped and drugged, possibly watched her friend commit suicide/talker her friend out of it, went through the nightmare sequence which was a whole thing into itself, and so much more, not to mention the end choice.
With the upcoming game, Double Exposure, I’m really interested to see how Max’s trauma carries over into the game. Obviously im hoping she’s healed, but considering the blackout that happened after taking a picture of the owl in the extended gameplay, I’m seeing traces of possible PTSD with the flashback.
While that could be interpreted as an event from the future, it could also be seen as a flashback, as the dialogue seems familiar to the end when Max reflects on the tornado.
“Max!” -Possibly Chloe calling for her or someone else?
“I cause this! I caused all of this!” -I could be wrong, but that sounds more like young Max then the more matured voice we see in Double Exposure.
Anyways, that’s all on that part.
I’ve seen a lot of people worried about Chloe not making an appearance, possibly having an offscreen break up.
“Is this about the blue haired girl whose picture you keep in your wallet?” -Safi in reference to a picture of Chloe
“We were just friends —— We were high school sweethearts” -Choices in response to this question.
I’d like to start off by saying, both options are in past tense. Chloe and Max’s connection, while romantic, is also rooted in a deep platonic love as well that blossomed into something more. If nothing else, they would’ve stayed in touch as friends.
I’d also like to point out that Safi says BLUE HAIRED GIRL.
In LIS 2, there is a photo of Max and Chloe (depending on players choice at the end LIS 1) where Chloe is alive, with Max, and with green hair. So if this is considered canon, which is likely, then Chloe doesn’t have blue hair anymore. In the livestream the photo Safi possibly references is also seen, and it’s Chloe with her old hairstyle in a Polaroid format, and not one that Max took. If they had just broken up, it would be more logical for Max to have a newer one, in digital format, considering that’s what she uses now. Not to mention that I believe in another scene there IS a digital photo that Max holds, paralleling the scene of her holding the Polaroid one.
Anywho, I think it’s safe to assume that this scene with Safi is taken from the Bay ending, where Chloe is no longer with us.
It’s worth mentioning that Max may just not want to open up to Safi about such a traumatic and personal part of her life just yet, considering she’s only known her 6 months.
In conclusion, Chloe is going to be in the game, at least objectively for sure, as the creators directly stated they honor the players decision. If no ending is canon, then they obviously wanna appeal to the player, which would include honoring the bond between Max and Chloe that the players love and cherish.
I may be looking too far into this, trying to hold out hope, but I’m going off of what I’ve got. So excited for this game!!!