The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

This emotional tale will tug at players' heartstrings while engaging them in a larger adventure surrounding a little boy who's going through a very challenging time. Like anyone needing a break from reality from time to time, Chris could use a little escapism. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit tells the story of the fantasy he creates to cope with the world around him. Players take on the role of an observer, guiding Chris' journey and discovering bits and pieces of his family life along the way. From the start, it's hard not to feel empathy for his situation and admire how, in spite of the issues he faces, he keeps his attitude positive. What the game lacks in fast-paced action or mind-bending puzzles, it more than makes up for in heart and emotion. In many ways, it feels less like a game and more like an interactive movie.

While Captain Spirit is a self-contained story, it also serves as an introduction to the Life Is Strange 2 game. Some of the choices you make here will affect events there. And it's also a story that's meant to be played multiple times, which is good because it's a pretty short experience. From start to finish, Chris' story clocks in at about two hours. That might be hard to swallow if this was a full retail release, but if you look at it as one chapter in a greater story (and a free chapter at that), it's a great way to visit the Life Is Strange universe and to introduce newcomers to the emotional journey that usually comes with it. Still, even on its own, Captain Spirit manages to do something amazing. It genuinely pulls at your heartstrings as you view the world through the prism of Chris' imagination. And when the credits finally roll, you'll be left with a sense of hope -- and a desire to learn what's still to come.