There are many reasons to love the full remaster of the first two games coming this fall.
And with that remaster, an age-old debate will once again spark: which pairing is better for heroine Chloe Price? Both she and her two potential romantic interests, childhood friend Max and first love Rachel, have beautiful, profound relationships throughout the course of the games. Ultimately, it's up to fans to decide which pairing is the best, but there's plenty of good things to say for both outcomes.
Pricefield: Best Friends For Life
The friendship between Max and Chloe was one of the most iconic things about the first game. Their childhood bond was stronger than most, and even after Max left Arcadia Bay and fell out of with Chloe, they were able to pick up as if no time had ed once she moved back.
Bonds like theirs are special. For them to continually choose to love and depend on each other, even after all the horrible things that have happened between them, speaks to the depth of their connection. No matter what, they will never not be Max and Chloe - the true pirate queens of Arcadia Bay.
Amberprice: "My Angel"
That said, after her father ed away, Chloe was left with nobody. Although Max mourned with her, her anxiety kept her from reaching out for five years after she moved to Seattle. Meanwhile, Chloe's mother, Joyce, was struggling as a working, single mother. Chloe was headed down a dark path...until one miraculous night, she met Rachel Amber, who saved her from a fight.
This was one of many reasons that Chloe called Rachel her "angel." Even with all her comparative privilege, Rachel never hesitated to go to bat for Chloe, even if she knew it wouldn't go well for her.
Pricefield: The Punk And The Hipster
From the offset, Max and Chloe couldn't seem more different. Max is a shy, reserved photographer with a love for folk music, while Chloe is brash and upfront, thriving most in a mosh pit. They're a little like night and day.
But these differences are what make their relationship so well-balanced and sustainable. Chloe helps Max get out of her shell and feel more confident about herself, while Max's gentle nature helps Chloe mellow out and get in touch with her feelings. In a lot of ways, they really need each other.
Amberprice: Junkyard Queens
Rachel had a reputation for being kind of a wild child, and that suited Chloe just fine. More than fine - it suited her perfectly, as Chloe had a bit of a reputation, too. Together, they wreaked havoc wherever they went and were always guaranteed to have a good time.
While this had some destructive consequences at times, overall, Chloe deserved someone who could keep up with her and her antics without judging her. Rachel could do all of this, and then some.
Pricefield: Partners In Time
With Max's rewind powers and Chloe's gungho attitude, these two could accomplish a great deal in just a small amount of time. Even as only amateur sleuths, they were able to uncover all the sordid, awful things going on in Arcadia Bay.
This goes to show how in-sync Max and Chloe are: their differences are less a hindrance to each other than a boon. More than that, they always have each other's back, with Chloe following Max through hell and back, and Max saving Chloe from certain death multiple times.
Amberprice: Come, Spirit!
Rachel had an undeniably magnetic personality, and it seemed like everyone either wanted her or wanted to be her. She was so engaging that she was even able to win over the standoffish Chloe, who was an adamant loner at the time they met.
And while some fans attribute this to Rachel's manipulative side, it cannot be denied that she felt just as drawn to Chloe as Chloe was to her. She didn't have to intervene in that first fight, or potentially have Chloe ruin her star performance in The Tempest. But she did it all for the sake of having Chloe be in her life.
Pricefield: Come Back Down To Earth
At times, Chloe's emotions would get the best of her. She'd freak out and start to spiral, feeling compelled to do something destructive. Anyone else would have either reprimanded her or gotten out of her way - but Max was always the one who stayed there with her, telling her what she needed to hear and keeping her grounded.
Although Max thought of herself as a clueless geek, she could be quite perceptive and mature, which helped her navigate these hard situations with Chloe tremendously.
Amberprice: Fire Walk With Me
For better and for worse, Chloe and Rachel were forever bonded by some horrible things that happened to them. From Chloe's meltdown at the junkyard to Rachel straight up getting stabbed, there are significant markers in their relationship that cannot simply be erased.
Yet somehow, that makes their dynamic all the more memorable. Their explosive hijinks were characteristically Rachel and Chloe, and the memories helped keep them close even as they got older and met other people.
Pricefield: SuperMax
Finishing with an honest look at both girls, it's easy to see that Max is a sweet, earnest person. She only ever tries to do right by others while staying true to herself. While at times she can be painfully insecure, socially awkward, and oblivious, she always manages to bounce back when it counts, brushing bullies off her shoulder and sticking up for her friends.
Her bravery is what saved countless people in Arcadia Bay, including Chloe, who has always seen in Max what Max could not see herself: a talented artist, old soul, and everyday hero.
Amberprice: Lionness
As for Rachel, there's a reason why she was so popular with just about everyone. While her looks definitely contributed to her popularity, she was also incredibly empathetic and people-smart, which allowed her to get along with nearly everyone she met and understand them without bias.
While at times this does make her somewhat of an unreadable social chameleon, and while she can be a bit spoiled and bratty, she's ultimately a well-intentioned teenage girl with a unique, fiery spirit. Rachel was special, and nobody knew that better than Chloe.
