Life is Strange: Reunion — How to Prep for the Jan. 20 Reveal and the 2026 Launch

This caught my attention because Max and Chloe returning together is exactly the kind of emotionally charged reunion that defined the series – and the leaks plus a PEGI listing mean this reveal could answer big questions about continuity, platforms, and whether Deck Nine or Dontnod are at the wheel. Below is a focused prep guide so you don’t miss a frame of the livestream and can move fast once pre-orders go live.

Life is Strange: Reunion – Essential Prep Guide for the January 20 Reveal and 2026 Launch

• What to expect: Official reveal livestream on January 20, 2026; leaks/PEGI point to Max reuniting with Chloe and rewind mechanics returning.
• What matters: Platforms (PS5 appears in PEGI), developer confirmation (Deck Nine likely), release window and pre-order extras.
• How to act: Set up for 4K livestream, follow official channels, and have purchase paths (PSN/Steam/Xbox) ready post-reveal.

{{INFO_TABLE_START}}
Publisher|Square Enix
Release Date|Reveal: Jan 20, 2026 – Game: 2026 (TBC)
Category|Narrative adventure / single-player
Platform|PS5 (PEGI listed); PC/Xbox Series X|S likely; Switch unconfirmed
{{INFO_TABLE_END}}

Quick prep checklist (15-60 minutes)

• Set a reminder: Jan 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM UK.
• Open the official Life is Strange YouTube channel and enable notifications; have a backup Twitter/X and Discord tab for live notes and developer replies.
• Update firmware (PS5/Xbox), test your internet (aim 50Mbps+), and clear 60GB of storage if you want to preload quickly after pre-orders open.
• Create or verify Square Enix account / link Steam/Epic to avoid purchase friction.

Main analysis — what the confirmation and leaks actually mean

The official announcement of Life is Strange: Reunion plus a scheduled reveal stream confirms Square Enix is pushing the series back into the spotlight. The important details will be whether the studio confirms Deck Nine (the team behind True Colors and Double Exposure) or Dontnod (original creators). Deck Nine has been handling the series’ recent entries, which makes them the likelier candidate — that matters because Deck Nine’s design choices lean into expressive visuals and character-driven scripting, while Dontnod historically pushes more experimental structure.

Leaks and a PEGI listing suggesting Max uses her rewind power to protect a university campus fit a conservative continuation of Max’s arc: returning her to a setting where choices and their immediate replays are narratively useful. That’s promising for players who want the mechanics fans loved in the original Life is Strange, but it also raises questions about stakes — rebooting familiar mechanics without fresh consequences risks replay fatigue unless the story or systems evolve (parallel timelines, branching permanence, or enforced costs for rewinds would be welcome innovations).

Platform coverage is the other headline. PEGI pointing to a PS5 listing is significant but not definitive: Square Enix often lists platforms early and expands. Expect PC and Xbox Series announcements during or shortly after the reveal; a Switch cloud version remains plausible given past ports, but full native Switch performance is unlikely if the game leans heavy on ray-tracing or higher-fidelity visuals.

Practical steps to take during and immediately after the livestream

• Watch the stream in 4K if possible and note timestamps of platform, dev, and release-window mentions.
• If pre-orders go live, prioritize the store you’ll use (PSN/Steam/Xbox) to enable one-click purchase; expect Standard/Deluxe tiers and likely early-access or cosmetic bonuses.
• Save the trailer locally for frame-by-frame analysis (respect copyright: short clip sharing allowed under community rules).

What this means for fans

If Reunion reunites Max and Chloe the way leaks suggest, expect strong emotional beats and debate over narrative choices — the Pricefield community will dissect every line. For those catching up: replaying the original Life is Strange and Before the Storm is sound prep (choice continuity matters). Also watch how Square Enix positions release windows and platform deals — any day-one Game Pass or timed exclusivity would shift accessibility and community behavior.

TL;DR

Square Enix will reveal Life is Strange: Reunion on Jan 20, 2026. Prepare by updating devices, following the official channel, and linking your storefront accounts so you can pre-order quickly. The PEGI leak suggests PS5 and a Max/Chloe reunion built around rewind mechanics — promising if the game adds meaningful new consequences to that power. Watch closely for developer confirmation and platform windows during the livestream; those are the details that will determine whether Reunion is a safe, satisfying sequel or just comfortable nostalgia.