The Powerful Message of Life Is Strange 2

Completing Life is Strange 2 was a reminder that there are many people out there who suffer from injustices and, in many cases, severe mistreatment from others to this day. While we normally don't get too political, this game hit really close to home for both of us despite our different backgrounds and experiences.

To catch everyone up here on why this game was a such a big deal to us and without giving away any spoilers (because it is a legitimately good game), it follows two Mexican American brothers (ages 9 and 16) who endure a tragedy outside their home in Seattle.

Due to unknown circumstances of the tragedy, the two brothers flee in fear to find refuge in Puerto Lobos, Mexico, where their father is originally from. The game basically tells the story of their journey while you, the player, influences how the story plays out based on your decisions when difficult situations arise and the consequences that go with those decisions. Throughout their journey, they experience many hardships occasionally made even harder due to their ethnic background despite being American citizens. The game tells a beautifully tragic story and highlights some of what minorities have to endure on top of everything else life typically throws at you in the modern political climate of the United States.

In addition to that, not only does this game do a wonderful job showcasing racial injustices, but also sheds light on a myriad of other social issues many face in the US as well as around the world. Whatever your political views, this game presents you with circumstances and situations that people live through each and every day - that's the main message here.

Growing up, we dealt with some of the negative experiences the brothers went through or at the very least felt part of what they were feeling because of who we are and what we look like. We remember those times somebody told us to "go back to your country" or gave us dirty looks when we walked into public places. It was always so confusing to us growing up. Nush, being from a first generation Indian family in America and Doza being from a Hispanic family in the South, have had to deal with the ongoing notion that we don't belong here or feeling like the odd ones out at times. It's ironic since we were both born here in the US.

It's almost surreal when you realize as a child that you are different and people treat you differently because of it. We've experienced much of the same 'hatred' at worst, and being 'put up with' at best. Intolerance knows no age nor is it limited to any part of life whether that be childhood, adolescence, or adulthood either. Unfortunately, there have always been people who have treated us differently at every walk of life. Even now, we are always looking over our shoulders when we go out in public together, just waiting for the sneering eyes of onlookers and gossipers alike.

Finishing this game has inspired us to be more open about who we are and what we go through. We don't want to limit ourselves when it comes to sharing because that would just be disingenuous to some extent. And if anyone else reading this is going through something similar whether it be because of your race, the way you look, or something else other people try to alienate you for, you aren't alone and we are so sorry you are going through this. It does get a little better but only because of the bravery of others to speak out against the negativity. The other part, of course, is just learning how to push through it and spread love instead of hate.

If you'd like to see our full play-through, that in part inspired this Glob Blog post, you can watch it below. Just a heads up though, it does get pretty heavy (if this post didn't indicate that enough lol).

Here's to a more open-minded year.