Life is Strange: Before the Storm

About

"Life is Strange: Before the Storm" is a narrative-driven adventure game that serves as a prequel to the original "Life is Strange." The game follows Chloe Price, a rebellious teenager, and her complex friendship with Rachel Amber, a popular girl with a hidden life. Through impactful choices and exploration, players will uncover the truth behind Rachel's family and the consequences of Chloe's actions before the events of the first game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Life is Strange: Before the Storm screenshot

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,722 reviews

story2.8k positive mentions

stability72 negative mentions

story
7,197 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The story of "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" is a poignant exploration of the friendship between Chloe Price and Rachel Amber, set against the backdrop of their tumultuous teenage years. While some players found the narrative less impactful than the original game, it still delivers emotional depth and character development, particularly in how it enriches Chloe's backstory and her relationships. The game is praised for its engaging storytelling, relatable themes, and a soundtrack that complements the emotional journey, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The story and characters are so well written, it really pulls you in.”
- “This game is an absolute must-have for those who appreciate a good story.”
- “The story is deep and emotional, exploring themes of friendship, love, and loss.”
- “The story just felt like it could have had more to it and left me feeling fairly unfulfilled.”
- “The story was okay, but I wasn't nearly as hooked or compelled as I was with the original game.”
- “The plot starts falling off pretty quickly in the final episode, there's a ton of needless retcons and plot holes.”
music
2,028 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The music in "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" has been widely praised for its emotional depth and fitting atmosphere, primarily featuring tracks by the band Daughter, which resonate well with the game's themes and character arcs. Many players appreciate how the soundtrack enhances the storytelling, creating memorable moments that evoke strong feelings, although some feel it lacks the diversity of the original game's music. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The music in the game is just perfect for the moments and absolutely amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is out of this world and maybe even better than the first game.”
- “The soundtrack creates an atmosphere and makes you feel that you are a part of this incredible world.”
- “The only saving grace is that it has a song from Wolf Alice as part of its soundtrack; the downside is that you have to finish the game to hear it.”
- “I have to once again complain about the soundtrack; somehow they made it worse in this game.”
- “The soundtrack is decent though.”
emotional
1,698 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" is widely praised, with players describing it as a profound and heart-wrenching experience that often leads to tears. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its storytelling, character development, and impactful music, making it a deeply engaging narrative that resonates with players, especially those familiar with the original game. While some feel it may not reach the emotional heights of its predecessor, the overall consensus is that it successfully delivers an emotional rollercoaster filled with relatable themes of love, loss, and friendship.
- “Play this game if you want to hop on an emotional rollercoaster with an incredible story.”
- “The strong point of Before the Storm is its story and the emotional responses it evokes.”
- “Life is Strange: Before the Storm manages to capture the emotional heartache that the first game gave you and amplifies it to create a masterfully crafted story that is bursting at the seams with realistic human drama and remarkable characters.”
- “However, most of the game feels like a boring story under the cover of modern family issues related to drugs, friendships, truths, and lies.”
- “Really boring story and your choices (in fact, there are no real choices) don't affect the story at all.”
- “I'd say about 20% playing, 80% watching a boring storyline.”
gameplay
1,391 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The gameplay in "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" has received mixed reviews, primarily due to the absence of the original's time-rewind mechanic, which many players found integral to the experience. Instead, the game introduces a "backtalk" mechanic that allows players to engage in verbal confrontations, which some found enjoyable and fitting for Chloe's character, while others felt it lacked depth and challenge. Overall, the gameplay is described as simple and linear, focusing more on narrative and character interactions than on complex mechanics or puzzles, making it feel more like an interactive story than a traditional game.
- “If you want a perfect example of ludonarration - using gameplay mechanics to enhance and enrich the story - then look no further.”
- “The gameplay is quite simple, as the game emphasizes the experience of its narrative so that it isn’t suddenly interrupted.”
- “The backtalk mechanic is a very enjoyable piece of gameplay, and the depth of side stories like playing Dungeons & Dragons are great additions that made this episode amazing.”
- “In comparison with the first game, this feels a little less impactful and occasionally I missed the rewind mechanic.”
- “Before the storm is a great narrative and emotional experience, but the gameplay is somewhat lacking compared to the first Life is Strange.”
- “The backtalk mechanic replaces reversing time, but it feels less engaging and impactful than the time-rewind mechanic from the original game.”
graphics
976 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The graphics in "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and vibrant visuals that maintain the aesthetic of the original game. While some players noted improvements in character animations and overall graphical fidelity, others pointed out issues such as graphical glitches, low-resolution textures, and a lack of significant advancements compared to the first installment. Overall, the visuals are generally considered appealing and fitting for the game's emotional narrative, though they may not meet the expectations set by more contemporary titles.
- “Amazing graphics, enticing story, smooth controls.”
- “The game's graphics and music are just as impressive as the original game, with the same attention to detail in the environments and character designs.”
- “The graphics are amazing - especially the scenes with mirrors.”
- “For one, the graphics are terrible.”
- “The graphics are similar to the first one.”
- “The graphics look a lot worse - might as well be a PS2 game.”
atmosphere
325 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The atmosphere in "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" is widely praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions and nostalgia, closely mirroring the original game's ambiance. Reviewers highlight the captivating soundtrack, detailed graphics, and the authentic portrayal of characters, all of which contribute to a rich, immersive experience. While some note that the atmosphere may not reach the same heights as the first installment, it still effectively captures the essence of Arcadia Bay and the emotional depth of its story.
- “The characters, the storyline, the atmosphere is all so well put together and alluring.”
- “The soundtrack creates an atmosphere and makes you feel that you are a part of this incredible world.”
- “With great characters, a beautiful story, the typical atmosphere and fantastic music, this chapter sometimes surpasses the first game.”
- “The reason I am giving this game a negative review is that, while it may be a decent enough standalone title, it fails to capture the charm and atmosphere that made me feel so in love with the first one.”
- “It just doesn't grab you in, you don't feel the atmosphere.”
- “With new writers and new developers, this prequel fails to recreate the atmosphere of the original game.”
humor
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating Chloe's witty and sarcastic remarks, which often provide comic relief amidst the emotional narrative. While some moments are genuinely funny and well-written, others come off as awkward or unintentionally humorous, leading to a rollercoaster of emotions that can shift from laughter to sadness. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its serious themes, although opinions vary on the effectiveness of its comedic elements.
- “This was one of the best games I ever played. It was an intense story with some good humor and a good story. I also loved the fact that there is a collector mode which I like, and overall I give the game 10/10.”
- “The backtalk option is hilarious, and even the simple mechanics of how you interact with objects are pretty great.”
- “I love this game for the hilarious comments from Chloe about everyday objects, the way her rebellious backtalk becomes a superpower, and the carefully constructed personal spaces you can examine.”
- “Could've been an 8.5, but man, those hand gestures remind me of Ricky Bobby's interview in Talladega Nights, except it's not funny in this game.”
- “Insignificant or contains humorous glitches.”
- “It's like a mixtape of emotions – equal parts funny, heartwarming, and cringey.”
character development
159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
55%
6%
Character development in "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" is a focal point, with many reviewers praising the depth and emotional resonance of the characters, particularly Chloe and Rachel. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies and rushed arcs that detract from the overall experience, suggesting that while the game offers strong character moments, it occasionally struggles to align with the established narrative of the original game. Overall, the character development is seen as a significant strength, contributing to a compelling and engaging story, despite some noted flaws.
- “One of the best games I have played... excellent story, character development, and you won't want the story to end.”
- “Before the storm really brings the emotional impact and character development a prequel should.”
- “The character development and backstory of Chloe are beautiful and add to the depth and wonder of the Life is Strange universe.”
- “Some of the character development feels out of tune with what we see in the original Life is Strange.”
- “Lots of plot holes, boring filler scenes, and nonexistent character development.”
- “The story and character developments both seemed to be incredibly rushed, and unlike the first game, nothing seemed fluid.”
optimization
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
49%
16%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on various hardware configurations, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor graphical fidelity. Although many found the game well-optimized overall, especially compared to its predecessor, there are notable complaints about performance inconsistencies and the need for further improvements. Overall, while some players enjoyed a seamless experience, others faced frustrating technical challenges that detracted from their enjoyment.
- “Absolutely everything about it, especially the way they optimized it and built it in general.”
- “Good story, good graphics, this game is more optimized than the first Life is Strange, maybe because they use Unity?”
- “The game runs smoothly, and got me as engaged as the original.”
- “Using Unity rather than Unreal Engine is the only pity which restricts the performance of most exquisite frame.”
- “There are also some areas where my FPS dropped about a half, so the game could surely use some optimization.”
- “The performance of the new voice actress sucks big time in my opinion.”
stability
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
4%
86%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches, bugs, and crashes that significantly impact gameplay, particularly during key scenes and cutscenes. While some users noted that the game runs well on certain hardware, others experienced frustrating freezes and audio issues, suggesting a lack of polish and ongoing technical problems. Overall, the game's stability appears to detract from the otherwise enjoyable experience, with calls for developers to address these issues promptly.
- “Runs great on Linux.”
- “Performance-wise, the game runs great the majority of the time.”
- “Runs great, butter smooth 60 fps at 2k.”
- “The many glitches also made the game not fun at all, having to restart and play the dialogue all over again is very tiresome.”
- “A quick internet search shows that this game crashes and freezes a lot and the game's developers could care less.”
- “Unfortunately, this game freezes and the developers won't patch if you have an AMD graphics card (they say it's beneath the minimum requirements, although the card can run beefier games).”
replayability
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the multiple endings and impactful choices that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some critics argue that the lack of significant differences in outcomes and the absence of features like a skip button for previously seen cinematics diminish its overall replay value. While some find it infinitely replayable, others feel it lacks the depth needed for extensive revisits.
- “The game's multiple endings also add to its replayability.”
- “Despite being a story-driven game, Before the Storm has a lot of replay value (even more than the first game), since the decisions you make are substantially more weighty due to the lack of the rewind power.”
- “I also think there is high potential for replayability due to the different outcomes and endings; choices do appear to matter.”
- “No twists with the time-rewinding, etc. I do also think that the game has very little replayability; I could probably revisit the first Life is Strange, but in this one, it just doesn't have a compelling enough story or turn of events to encourage you to play again any time in the future.”
- “Even if they do, the ending will only ever be two choices no matter what you do, so that's why I don't really see any replay value in it.”
- “Overall, I think the game is worth playing but doesn't hold a lot of replay value.”
grinding
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
40%
52%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment and engagement with the story. Tasks often feel repetitive and unnecessary, leading to a frustrating experience, especially in the early chapters, although some players noted a slight improvement in the final parts. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback that overshadows the game's potential.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Medium level of grinding.”
- “This makes the game feel extraordinarily tedious and takes all the joy out of interacting with the environment or fully exploring the dialogue options.”
- “I liked the first 'Life is Strange', but this prequel is terribly tedious.”
- “But you do not get a power here, you mainly do tedious tasks (e.g., set the table piece by piece) in between video sequences, and there is no silver lining.”
monetization
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
3%
89%
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over its reliance on nostalgia and unnecessary DLCs. While some acknowledge that the game has redeeming qualities, the overall sentiment leans towards viewing it as an exploitative attempt by Square Enix to capitalize on the success of the original titles. The presence of microtransactions and deluxe packages further fuels the perception of a lack of genuine content.
- “No microtransactions, thank you!”
- “I bought the deluxe version for the bonus episode, but I urge the developers to avoid modern business models like microtransactions and gimmicks such as buying extra outfits. This feels like a step in that direction, and I hope they don't go any further.”
- “If you loved the first game (and/or Life is Strange 2), do yourself a favor and stay away from this attempt at monetization by Square Enix, which feels like AAA fan-fiction.”
- “If you loved or liked the first game (and/or Life is Strange 2), do yourself a favor and stay away from this hideous attempt at monetization by Square Enix, which reads like AAA fan-fiction.”
- “This episode is 100% needed to complete Life is Strange: Before the Storm and should be a part of the game and not some stupid 'deluxe' upgrade that is 100% unnecessary from the publisher and just a cash grab.”
- “Take away the nostalgia of the first game, the familiar elements, and what you have left is a rather bland cash grab.”