Quick Links

The very last decision in Life is Strange forces players to save Chloe or Arcadia Bay. It’s the biggest choice in the entire game, and as such, has the biggest consequences attached to it.

It’s impossible to talk about the consequences of choosing to save Chloe or Arcadia Bay without revealing the two different endings, so be warned that the following guide contains major spoilers for the closing moments of Life is Strange.

RELATED: Life is Strange: Episode 5 Photo Collectible Locations

Consequences of Saving Arcadia Bay in Life is Strange

Picture change montage of changing the timeline in episode 5 of Life is Strange Remastered

If Chloe is sacrificed to save Arcadia Bay from the oncoming tornado, Max will use the butterfly photo to travel back to the moment Nathan shot Chloe in Episode 1 of Life is Strange. Instead of stopping him, she will not intervene, and Chloe will die. This stops the tornado from forming, and Arcadia Bay and its residents will be safe.

Depending on players' decisions throughout the game, like whether Max blamed Chloe or took the blame in Episode 1, the pair will either hug or share a kiss before Max travels back in time. To get the pair to kiss, players should side with Chloe and show concern for her money trouble and safety throughout the game.

If Arcadia Bay is saved, the closing moments of the game show every major character attending Chloe's funeral. Mr. Jefferson will of course be absent, as he has presumably been apprehended by the police already.

Consequences of Saving Chloe in Life is Strange

Arcadia Bay destroyed by the tornado during episode 5 of Life is Strange

If Arcadia Bay is sacrificed to save Chloe instead, Max will rip the butterfly picture and throw it into the storm. This is a much shorter ending to Max's story in Life is Strange, and players don't know who survived the tornado as the camera pans over the huge wreckage from the storm.

Max and Chloe will not kiss during this ending, but they do share a hug while looking at the oncoming storm. At the very end, the pair is shown driving out of Arcadia Bay in Chloe's car.

Should You Save Chloe or Arcadia Bay?

Deciding between sacrific chloe or arcadia bay in episode 5 of Life is Strange Remastered

This is the most important choice in Life is Strange, but the only correct option is to pick whichever ending players feel is right. Although sacrificing the whole of Arcadia Bay just for Chloe might seem like the "bad" ending, Episode 5 makes a compelling case for why both options are viable.

The entire game has focused on Max and Chloe's rekindled relationship. Still, there are also a lot of moments with many other characters from Arcadia Bay and the Blackwell Academy students to consider when choosing between saving Chloe or Arcadia Bay.

There is no true sequel to the first season's events, and no canon ending. So players are left to choose whatever option feels best to them.

Life is Strange: Remastered Collection is out now for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia, with a Switch version releasing later in 2022.

MORE: 15 Story-Heavy Games To Play If You Love Life Is Strange