Life is Strange: Before the Storm

I really couldn't be happier with what we've been given. Deck Nine gets Life is Strange, but more than that, it capitalizes on the material to make it even better. By the end of this first episode, I was not only awe-struck, but a little misty. Completely blown away by the sheer quantity (four hours!) and quality of this first episode, I absolutely cannot wait for the next two installments in this three-episode series. I may know what's going to happen, but it's all about the details. This is more than a love letter — it's a brewing tempest of adolescent insight.

Before the Storm made me care about Chloe and Rachel, giving me backstory into both of their lives before Max comes back. The journey is bittersweet, knowing the tragic events from the first game for both characters. As a prequel, Before the Storm succeeds because it tells its own story that leaves you content, while also connecting to the original game in a meaningful way. Deck Nine may not have a hand in the original, but it made sure to do Chloe and Rachel’s story justice, capturing the essence of Life is Strange while providing plenty of nods to fans.

Life indeed is strange. I was dead certain that Before the Storm simply cannot be good, but it turned out just fine. It’s really well-written, with fleshed out characters and some humor here and there. I applaud the writers for ditching science fiction elements, but I wish BtS was as good a thriller as it is a love story. [03/2018, p.58]

Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a masterful prequel, then.

The story and characters in Life is Strange: Before the Storm help to make it a valued addition to the universe. An alluring friendship between the two main characters is the key to its success. It’s just a pity that ineffectual player choice, weak adventure mechanics, and a lacklustre ending prevent it from creating a lifelong bond with the audience.

Due to the different scenario settings, Life is Strange: Before the Storm has to abandon the rewind system which is the most interesting part of the original LiS game. Therefore, this prequel might lack the originality and interactive quality. Luckily, Before the Storm only takes three chapters to tell audience a brilliant story. And the characterization of two different girls Chole and Rachel is impressive. Like the original story, the finale chapter is a mess. But still, Before the Storm is just a simple love story. Maybe most of players will not judge the logical problem as a very serious fault.

Very self-aware of being a prequel to a bestseller, Before the Storm puts fan service and farfetched melodrama above cohesive storytelling, resulting in a superficial and disappointing experience.

This game nails what it wants to be and is suprisingly just as good, if not better (?) than the normal Life is Strange.

The prequel was wonderful in my opinion. This game and Life Is Strange 1 are the only canon, in my opinion.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Game started promising but the forced romance, cringe dialogs and bad writing (especially ep.3) becomes unbearable fast. Though bonus episode Farewell were heartwarming for me, it was nice to see Max and Chloe as a kids