PlayStation 4 Critic Reviews

Hell is Empty perfectly pays off what was built up in the first two episodes while also providing a bridge to the original series. Acting as a prequel series put Before the Storm in a tough spot, but the third episode shows that you can pull of a lofty goal like that near-perfectly. It’s a fantastic conclusion to the prequel series and a must-play for anyone who enjoyed the first two episodes. You’ll see proper payoffs to many things here, while the main game serves as a payoff for other storylines and characters introduced in this series — allowing this self-contained part of the tale to do its own thing without having to wrap up every part of the narrative.

It may lack the mechanical variety and elegant sophistication of say, What Remains Of Edith Finch, but despite that, Before The Storm still manages to be one of the finest gaming experiences in undoubtedly one of the medium’s best years.

The overall story stayed interesting throughout, the characters were complex, the bigger themes were brilliant and it was a generally emotional and expertly executed second trip to Arcadia Bay.

We've enjoyed learning about Chloe and Rachel, and we think this is a great ending for the series. This particular episode prioritizes narrative over gameplay, but we think it works, and we can only say that Deck Nine has done a great job creating this prequel.

Even with some foibles, Hell is Empty does a fantastic job filling in the blanks of what happened before Chloe was reunited with Max. As a fan, its references to the original shed light on how many things came to be, such as Chloe's transformation. Yes, I knew the conclusion, but it still has enough interesting developments to keep me invested. Before the Storm accomplishes what so many prequels fail to do; it tells its own story that leaves you content, while also connecting to the original game in a meaningful way.

Before the Storm does do some fantastic work of setting the brickwork for the original game.

Badass and at the same time lovely story that will reach our hearts if we empathize with Chloe and Rachel. The perfect prequel for a thrilling story with a characteristic graphic and sound design. Treating the figure of secondary characters so masterfully, the whole world of Arcadia Bay feels alive and will make us feel inside.

Deck Nine has lived up to the expectations and has crafted a perfectly fitting ending to Chloe Price’s journey. Although Life is Strange: Before the Storm could have had a couple more chapters, “Hell is Empty” is a more than enjoyable finale to the prequel.

The powerful last episode of the prequel series.

A solid ending to the powerful Life is Strange prequel series, Hell is Empty delivers all the emotional beats that you would expect as Chloe and Rachel’s adventures come to a close.