Ending 1: Sacrifice Chloe
What Happens When You Pick This Ending
If you choose to sacrifice Chloe, Max will jump into the photo of the butterfly and return where it all started. But instead of rewinding time to save Chloe from being shot by Nathan Prescott, Max will let her die and let the events play out as they were supposed to. Nathan and Mr. Jefferson will be arrested and no one after Rachel Amber gets hurt by Mr. Jefferson. However, Chloe is definitely dead this time and Joyce, David, and Max will mourn her loss.
Pick This Ending If You Want to Be the Hero
Chloe is probably right when she delivers her end game speech that her existence is what is causing all of the environmental problems in Arcadia Bay. She needs to accept her fate. It was her destiny to die that day in the bathroom with Nathan and Max. Every time that Max tried to save Chloe by using her power, she has failed. Over and over again we’ve watched Chloe die. Pick this ending to accept Chloe’s fate. Let her die like she was supposed to and restore balance to Arcadia Bay and the timeline.
Let’s not also forget that because Chloe was shot by Nathan, the police eventually apprehend Nathan and by virtue of investigation, Mr. Jefferson. Thus, all of the horrible things Mr. Jefferson did post Rachel Amber never occur. Finally, in comparison to the ending where Max sacrifices Arcadia Bay, Ending #1 gets a lot more screen time and much more detail, which may convince some that this is the “true” canon ending. We see further ahead into a future where Joyce and David bury Chloe as Max and her friends attend the funeral. A blue butterfly lands on Chloe’s coffin during as if to assure Max that she made the right choice. It’s bittersweet for sure, but Arcadia Bay’s and Max’s future looks bright as a result.
Pick This Ending If You Hated Chloe’s Guts
Not everyone likes Chloe. As a matter of fact, some people hate Chloe. She’s kind of a dick to Max for a lot of Life Is Strange. Max goes out of her way and literally turns back time to protect her, but Chloe still gives Max a verbal lashing a number of times throughout each of the episodes. So if you’re tired of Chloe’s BS then go ahead and let her get shot. Everyone else is safe now and you won’t feel any worse for it.
Pick This Ending If You Want to Cry and Feel Depressed for at Least a Week
Despite this being arguably the “true” “happy” “canon” ending, it’s still sad as all hell. Chloe, the person that you have spent five episodes trying to protect, is dead now. It was a sacrifice that Max and Chloe both decided was the right thing to do, but it doesn’t make it any less depressing. You’re going to have to relive that scene in the bathroom with Nathan and Chloe. You’re going to hide behind the stalls again and just listen to your best friend get shot and killed, and do nothing about it. Even if you were to intervene without using your powers, it wouldn’t change anything. Chloe was meant to die and even though you saved Arcadia Bay, if you cared about Chloe at all, you’re going to feel pretty bad.
