For all the Life is Strange fans anxiously awaiting the release of Life is Strange 2: Chris Eriksen is coming to the rescue.
Chris is the protagonist of DONTNOD Entertainment’s newest narrative experience—The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit. He lives with his dad Charles in Beavercreek, Oregon, loves pancakes, and, typical of any nine-year-old, has an insane imagination. Chris’s imagination leads him through fantastical adventures as he transforms into the Awesome Captain Spirit, his alter ego. And he has more than just a creative, player-customized costume to back up his superhero endeavors. According to Chris, Captain Spirit “can bend all matter to his will,” giving players some interesting interactions.
In the new superhero interaction, indicated by yellow zaps and blue lightning bolts, Chris extends his hand and focuses all his energy on the object of interest, causing the screen to vibrate. The object is then transformed to Chris’s liking, some examples being a television turning on and milk being poured in his glass. Of course, clever cinematography later reveals the reality: Chris turned the tv on with a remote and his dad poured him milk.
Captain Spirit in the flesh
This separation between imagination and reality was constantly blurred in the demo, especially when Chris reaches the “Dark Door.” Taming the “Water Eater” that lives beyond the “Dark Door” is one of the quests listed on his “My Awesome Things To Do” sheet. He mentions that he hates going in there, and upon entering, it’s easy to understand why. The walls disappear and purple darkness surrounds you, a blob monster anticipating your arrival. Chris then has to use his supernatural powers to “tame” the Water Eater and make the room safe again. After he succeeds, he exits the room, telling Charles that “the water heater was down” and he “fixed it.” The ambiguity in what events actually transpired kept things interesting.
Beyond the supernatural, players observe the relationship between Chris and Charles. Charles is visibly struggling with being a single father—beer cans stacking up on the kitchen counter. Despite this speculated drinking problem, Charles remains an incredible father who takes care of his son and encourages him to let his imagination run wild. The love goes both ways: Chris is aware of his father’s struggles, and tries his best to help him around the house. Their relationship feels wholesome and warm, much like the rest of the demo.
Father-son bonding at breakfast
Although The Adventures of Captain Spirit features a younger, male protagonist unlike the rest of the Life is Strange series, it’s undeniably a Life is Strange title with a beautiful acoustic soundtrack, an emphasis on interactions/consequences, and characters you grow to love no matter how little time you spend with them.
Because the two-hour episode is set in the same universe as Life is Strange 2, players can find clues about Life is Strange 2 characters and stories. Like the other Life is Strange games, objects scattered throughout the world give you more insight on the characters. For example from a letter from Principal Wells in the garage, I discovered that Chris’s mom, Emily Eriksen, avidly supported her alma mater Blackwell Academy’s art program. Additionally, some of the choices and actions made in Captain Spirit will link to players’ Life is Strange 2 experiences.
The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit will release *for free* on June 26 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
