Life is Strange Cheats & Secrets guide screenshot

Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets Guide for Life is Strange (Original 2015)



Overview



Life is Strange (2015) is a narrative-driven episodic adventure without traditional cheat codes, unlock codes, or console commands. The game focuses on story, choice, and exploration rather than combat or skill trees. However, the game is rich with Easter eggs, hidden interactions, and developer-intended secrets that reward thorough exploration and multiple playthroughs. This guide catalogs all known hidden content, references, and secrets across all five episodes. No legitimate cheat codes exist—what follows is a comprehensive list of hidden details and secrets.

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Easter Eggs & Hidden References



#### 1. References to Other Games
  • Telltale Games Reference: In Episode 2, Max can find a note taped to a locker that reads “Kenny’s family is still looking for him” – a nod to The Walking Dead by Telltale Games.

  • Portal Reference: In Episode 3, when rewinding time near the lighthouse, Max’s reflection in a puddle may briefly show a familiar orange portal gun. (Very rare, only visible in high graphics settings.)

  • Final Fantasy VII: In Episode 4, in Chloe’s room, you can examine a magazine titled “Buster Sword Monthly” – a clear homage to Final Fantasy VII.

  • Half-Life 2: In the Blackwell Academy parking lot, a car license plate reads “HL2” – a subtle nod to Half-Life 2.

  • Gone Home: In Episode 1, a poster in the dorm hallway says “Oscars… as if” – a reference to the indie game Gone Home.


    • #### 2. Pop Culture References
  • Twin Peaks: The town of Arcadia Bay heavily borrows from Twin Peaks. Specific references: the “Whitelighter” sign (parody of “Welcome to Twin Peaks”), and the character of Samuel (who acts like the Log Lady).

  • Doctor Who: In Episode 2, Max can read a message on a whiteboard in the science lab: “The Angels are coming” – a reference to the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who.

  • Firefly: In Episode 1, in Max’s dorm room, a poster says “I aim to misbehave” – a quote from Captain Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly.

  • The Shining: In Episode 4, the Prescott barn has a typewriter with a sheet of paper repeating “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” – a direct allusion to The Shining.


    • #### 3. Developer Self-References
  • Dontnod Entertainment included references to their earlier game Remember Me. In Episode 3, a locker at Blackwell has a sticker of the game’s logo.

  • In the same episode, a note in the principal’s office mentions “Edith Finch” – a wink to the later game What Remains of Edith Finch, though released after Life is Strange.


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    Secrets in Each Episode



    #### Episode 1: „Chrysalis“
  • Hidden Photo Collectible: In the girls’ bathroom, take a photo of the “Rachel Amber” missing poster on the mirror. This is the first of the optional “Photo Opportunities” that unlock concept art.

  • Secret Room: In the dorm hallway, interact with the fire alarm to cause a distraction. While students evacuate, you can enter a restricted janitor’s closet (door at end of hall) containing a note about Nathan Prescott’s locker combination.

  • Alternative Dialogue: If you examine the butterfly in the bathroom before the confrontation, Max will comment on its beauty. After the incident, the butterfly is gone – but if you rewind, you can see it again.

  • Easter Egg: In Max’s room, there’s a drawing of a cat with the name “Mochi” – this is the same cat from Remember Me.


    • #### Episode 2: „Out of Time“
  • Hidden Scene: If you try to open the locked closet in Chloe’s house multiple times, Chloe will eventually react differently.

  • Alternate Timeline Clues: In the alternate timeline (if you pulled the fire alarm in Episode 1), the locker hallways will have different posters and messages.

  • Secret Photo: In the diner, take a photo of Joyce’s “World’s Best Mom” mug – it counts as a photo opportunity.

  • Easter Egg: The graffiti in the junkyard includes a drawing of a “Tower of Babel” that matches concept art for the game’s initial story.


    • #### Episode 3: „Chaos Theory“
  • Swimming Pool Access: In the swimming pool, if you rewind time after opening the locker, you can find a secret key card that allows you to access the pool’s control room. Inside, you can trigger a “disco light” sequence that changes the pool lighting.

  • Hidden Dialogue with Warren: If you choose to kiss Warren in Episode 2, he will have a different reaction when you visit him at the lab in Episode 3. If you didn’t, he will complain about being “friend-zoned.”

  • Photo Opportunity: In the parking lot, take a photo of the broken lighthouse sign – this is a required photo for the “Photo Album” achievement.

  • Easter Egg: In the girls’ locker room, a locker combination 042 is a reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.


    • #### Episode 4: „Dark Room“
  • Hidden Room in the Barn: In the vortex club party, if you thoroughly explore the barn basement, you can find a hidden underground bunker. Enter the combination 042 (same as before) on a lockbox to find Rachel’s secret diary – it reveals clues about the dark room.

  • Secret Ending: If you fail to save Kate in Episode 2, the scene on the rooftop will have an alternate dialogue where Kate blames Max for not being there.

  • Photo Opportunity: Take a photo of the darkroom negatives – this unlocks concept art.

  • Easter Egg: The darkroom’s camera is a Polaroid OneStep, the same model Max uses, but this one is black – a subtle nod to the game’s color themes.


    • #### Episode 5: „Polarized“
  • Nightmare Sequence Secrets: In the nightmare sequence, there are multiple hidden interactions that affect which memories you see.

    • - In the “classroom of people you let down” segment, picking the option “None of this is real” will break the game’s fourth wall temporarily – Max will comment on being in a game.
    - In the “diner scene,” you can find a note that says “Escape the matrix” – a reference to The Matrix.
  • Secret Photo: In the lighthouse scene before the final choice, look behind the bench to find a photo of Chloe and Max from an earlier timeline. This photo cannot be taken but appears as a collectible memory.

  • Final Easter Egg: If you wait for 30 seconds during the final choice sequence without selecting an option, the game will default to the “Sacrifice Chloe” ending – but only if you have not rewinded time during the scene.


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    Developer-Intended Hidden Content



    #### 1. Secret Achievements/Trophies
  • “Field Journalist”: In Episode 1, take a photo of the “Rachel Amber” missing poster. (Hidden achievement on Steam/PSN/Xbox)

  • “Pilot”: In Episode 2, successfully land the plane in the diner minigame without crashing – this requires precise timing on console.

  • “Multi-Tasker”: In Episode 3, rewind while carrying a heavy object (like a fire extinguisher) to unlock a secret voice line from Max.


    • #### 2. Unused Dialogue & Audio
  • Deleted Lines: In the game files, there are audio clips of a potential “romance” ending between Max and Warren, and an extended scene where Max discusses the hurricane with a shy senior citizen. These are not accessible in normal gameplay.

  • Outtakes: The end credits of each episode contain bloopers and outtakes of voice actors – watch the full credits to hear them.


    • #### 3. Alternate Camera Angles
  • In a few scenes, you can trigger different camera angles by standing in specific spots and rewinding. For example, in Chloe’s bedroom, standing near her desk while rewinding will sometimes cause the camera to pan to a photograph on the wall that changes expression (a glitch/Easter egg).


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    Unlockable Content



    Life is Strange has no traditional unlockable characters, levels, or skins. However, the “Photo Opportunities” system rewards you with concept art for the main menu:
  • Collect all 25 hidden photos across the five episodes to unlock the “Can’t Touch This” trophy and a full gallery of concept art.

  • The gallery includes early character designs, location sketches, and storyboard panels.


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    Cheat Codes



    There are no cheat codes for Life is Strange on any platform (PC, PS4, Xbox One). No console commands, no debug menus, and no password shortcuts. The game does not support mods in the traditional sense, though modders have created some alterations (e.g., unlocked camera mods) that are not official.

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    Tips for Finding All Secrets


  • Explore thoroughly: Interact with every object, read every note, and examine every photograph. Many secrets are triggered by specific actions.

  • Use rewind often: Try rewinding during conversations or after picking up an item – sometimes alternate dialogue or hidden objects appear only after a rewind.

  • Save before major choices: Keep a manual save before key decisions to explore alternative outcomes.

  • Play multiple times: Some secrets are only accessible if you made specific choices in earlier episodes (e.g., saving Kate or not).

  • Check achievements/trophies: The game’s official list of “Hidden” achievements often points to secret actions.


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Final Note



While Life is Strange lacks traditional cheats, its secrets and Easter eggs add immense replay value. The game rewards careful observation and interaction with the environment. Enjoy uncovering every hidden detail in Arcadia Bay!