Life is Strange: Before the Storm Reviews

Alright, so I have a lot of things to say about this game and this review WILL contain spoilers. I'll try to censor any of the spoilers for those who are still questioning if they should get this game. As an equal small disclaimer, I did play this game on launch back in 2017, but dropped it quickly after seeing the gameplay wasn't going to be like the first. After talking with an old friend who begged me to give it another shot I thought on it for several years before finally just giving it another go. I DO regret not playing it sooner as a MAJOR fan of the first game. Just to be clear, [u]I do actually recommend the game itself[/u] [b]BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE COPY ON STEAM![/b] This version on Steam is INSANELY buggy and will absolutely crash for most people CONSTANTLY. Please if you truly want to play this - be warned you're going to be crashing a lot likely and will have to re-do a lot of scenes because of how it saves. [b]Pros[/b] - • Incredible story (for the most part) that gives A LOT of missing information if you enjoyed the first game greatly • Beautiful graphics as always • While I like the powers Max had WAY MORE in the first game, the backtalk feature isn't so bad here -- it's initially what made me not want to play the game originally. • I really enjoyed the [spoiler]D&D campaigns[/spoiler] a lot and that's coming from someone who refuses to play it. I especially liked how the 2nd run went with [spoiler]Mikey's older brother, Drew, joining in -- really was a wholesome moment seeing him hang out and partake in nerdy activities[/spoiler] • The DLC Extra episode was very healing and I loved it but also I'm in absolute tears. • The game genuinely made me cry, angry, happy, laugh, etc. throughout it all - a genuine nearly great experience! • Watching the bonding between Rachel and Chloe made my heart so happy ♥ They're so cute together and deserve so much happiness and love. [b]Cons[/b] - • This was THE most frustrating game I've ever played as a result of crashing. This genuinely was the reason behind my "Not Recommended" vote. SO many scenes had to be repeated, and I mean like major turning point scenes, and as a result I lost a lot of the feeling the creators were trying to push and instead felt annoyed and frustrated throughout most of my play-through. These have been cited as confirmed issues since launch, and seeing as this game is nearly 10yo I HIGHLY doubt there will be any updates to fix it. [b]I realize there's a remastered edition for it now, but I don't know how buggy it is compared to this copy. Might be worth it to go play that version as some of the reviews indicate there's not that many bugs on that version.[/b] • Certain characters felt lackluster - I really didn't care for Samantha at all. She was sort of a useless character that wanted you to always do things for her. I especially didn't care for her interest in Nathan [spoiler]ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING if you selected for HER to get involved with Nathan and Drew's fight SHE gets hurt and then distances herself from him as a result.[/spoiler] Equally, Nathan was quite boring and lacking a LOT during this game compared to the 1st. I REALLLLLY WISH we got just a bit more time with Drew, Mikey, and Steph, but I understand they weren't the main focus of the game equally. • This entire part is going to be spoilers: [spoiler]I absolutely did NOT like Sera at all. I felt for her and felt bad for her, but how she 180'd at the end was absolutely stupid. Went from "PLEASE I WANT TO SEE MY DAUGHTER" to "actually nvm and don't tell her you saw me or any of this happened kthx bye" -- all because of one injection that she had no control over????? I spent hours on this game for literally nothing I feel. If you tell Rachel, the outcome is practically the same except clearly she doesn't trust her family now and her family is in shambles -- if you DON'T tell her then Chloe just looks guilty. Neither feel satisfying. In the first game, while BOTH ending options were insanely brutal to choose from - they felt satisfying given everything that's happened, but the 2nd game was definitely a flop compared to that. I am happy that regardless it seems Chloe and Rachel end up together still[/spoiler] • Some parts of the game feel like they need to save sooner, especially with the crashing issues, as for some scenes it could be a minute or two between saves and OTHER scenes it's more like 5-10min worth of gameplay. It's not very consistent and can be quite the pain when re-doing things. It's especially annoying if you fail a backtalk and restart it - usually the scene for it prior lasts like 3-5min before you get to the actual backtalk and hope you don't fail it again. Overall - if you're buying on Steam - the game is a solid 5/10 -- great game but runs horrifyingly bad and crashes often. If you're buying the game elsewhere and we're only talking about the gameplay itself and how it played out rather than the functionality -- I give this a solid 8/10. Some of the stories didn't finish well, some of the characters are easily forgettable, and the writing feels weird for some of the choices at times. If you enjoyed the first game, this is absolutely worth a playthrough or watchthrough (I think playing it is better, but compared to the first game I think I wouldn't mind AS much to watch it instead - the first game I never recommend anyone to watch it because it's just that good and should be experienced on your own)

The base game was already incredible, but it was the “Farewell” bonus episode that left me incapacitated for about 20 minutes

I can't believe they made this one match the story of the first installment of "Life is Strange." I didn't even finish the second chapter yet, and I already am impressed and shedding a few tears so far. Mixed emotions and also laughter, just as the producers/developers intended. Truly another masterpiece to connect to the meaningful story, and expression that we call life. I could not stop playing it because it has been very addictive to see whats next.

honestly my fav game oat. i relate so heavily to chloe and every time i replay it always brings me to tears at least once

Great fucking game, have yet to play Life is Strange 1, but i'm very excited to do so.

Played this game years ago and honestly I remember it like yesterday. It offers some of my favorite narrative moments in any video game. Chloe's "special power" is pretty dumb unfortunately, but it's a happily forgettable aspect of the game which is otherwise right up there with the luminous original in the series rankings.

Of course. I played the whole series of LIS games a long time ago on ps5. Very good game and so relatable to things I been through, a lot likee real life. Very deep. A lot to learn too. Chloe is my favorite yeah! lis 2 is my favorite its just really cozy but so sad with a lot of great graphics and potential.

Life is Strange is undoubtedly one of my favorite games ever, and Before the Storm just adds to that. It's a beautiful prequel to the first game and provides a look into Chloe's life after Max left and when she met Rachel!! Honestly I adore this game and I'm excited to replay it hundreds of times, because i just can't get enough. It's really nice to play this after the disappointment that was Double Exposure, like a breath of fresh air. TL;DR, double exposure sucked ass and this game shows why chloe would not only leave max after just a couple of years, but also why she'd probably die before dating victoria chase. also amazing visuals and genuinely great soundtrack!! :3

To be honest, I really liked this more over the first LIS game. This game felt like a coming of age movie, just as the first one did but I really liked that It had a good balance of dealing with serious topics, and things for entertainment. The back-talking option is SOO CHLOE!! It might be a little edgy for some people, though that also didn't really matter to me cause I already loved chloe price as a character and I loved being able to finally know what she was like when she met rachel. 10/10 would recommend, hit me in the emotional spots and for times when I also needed a laugh.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm serves as a prequel to the first Life is Strange game, focusing on Chloe Price's life before the events of Arcadia Bay. While the concept had potential particularly in exploring the much discussed relationship between Chloe and Rachel Ambe the execution is not really good. One of the game's most questionable elements is its attempt to provide Chloe with a gameplay mechanic comparable to the supernatural abilities from the first game. In this case, it's a "backtalk" feature, where Chloe argues her way through conversations using sarcastic comebacks. Unfortunately, this mechanic feels forced and awkward. It seems to be there just for the sake of having something "special", but it lacks credibility. The idea that a teenager could argue her way past adults in serious situations borders on absurdity. Instead of strengthening her character, it often ends up making her feel like a caricature of rebellious teen. That same tone carries over into other parts of the game. Collectibles take the form of graffiti, which are presumably intended to be edgy or humorous, but instead come off as cringeworthy and poorly thought out. Rather than deepening the player's connection with Chloe or the world, they seem to underline how one dimensional her character is portrayed here. The central plot revolves around Chloe's evolving relationship with Rachel Amber something that was shrouded in mystery in the first game and had a lasting emotional impact. Unfortunately, Before the Storm doesn't manage to add much depth to this dynamic. Rachel is portrayed inconsistently, sometimes as magnetic and inspiring, other times as manipulative or downright cruel. The game briefly teases the possibility of supernatural elements connected to her character, hinting at something more significant, but it never follows through. This results in a buildup that leads nowhere, leaving confusion rather than intrigue. It's worth noting that this prequel was developed by a different studio than the original. While it does a decent job staying close to the original's tone and lore, it ultimately feels like a story that didn't need to be told. Instead of offering new insights or emotional weight, the game often feels like a summary of Chloe's life rather than a fully realized narrative. At times, it seems like the writers were trying to hit a checklist of emotional beats without giving them the time or development they needed. The game is split into just three episodes, which in itself isn't a problem, but it ends up cramming too much into too little time. As a result, many moments feel rushed, underdeveloped, or driven by convenient plot twists. The characters, aside from Chloe and Rachel, barely get enough screen time to leave an impression. Their actions often seem exaggerated or unrelatable, and it's hard to see them as believable people rather than narrative tools. There are moments when the game quiets down and allows a more grounded portrayal of Chloe moments where it explores her grief, confusion, and vulnerability in ways that feel sincere. These glimpses are the best part of the game, to be honest, and offer a rare emotional connection. Sadly, they are short lived and quickly overshadowed by the game's louder, less convincing dramatics. In the end, Life is Strange: Before the Storm feels like it misses the essence of what made the original impactful. It wants to expand on a beloved character and a meaningful relationship, but doesn't quite know how to do so without falling into clichés or sacrificing coherence. Fans of the first game may find some value in revisiting Chloe's world, but overall, this prequel doesn't do much to enrich the series as a whole.