Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Worth the Wait?
add_circle Pros
- The soundtrack is seriously catchy - I found myself humming the tunes long after I'd turned off the game.
- The game's focus on Chloe and Rachel's relationship makes for some truly compelling storytelling.
- The ability to go back in time and relive key moments in Chloe's life is a total game changer.
- The game's atmosphere is just as immersive as the original, with a real sense of tension and drama.
- The characters are all well-developed and relatable, making it easy to get invested in their stories.
remove_circle Cons
- Some of the choices you make don't have a huge impact on the story, which can feel a bit frustrating at times.
- The game can get a bit repetitive, with some of the same themes and plot points being revisited.
- There are a few moments where the game feels a bit predictable, which takes away from the overall sense of tension.
- The game's pacing can be a bit slow at times, which may not be to everyone's taste.
- Some of the supporting characters feel a bit one-dimensional, which can be a bit disappointing.
Gallery
Editor's Summary
I gotta say, I was blown away by Life is Strange: Before the Storm. As a huge fan of the first game, I was eager to dive back into the world of Arcadia Bay and explore the events that led up to Chloe and Rachel's iconic friendship. The game delivers in spades, with a soundtrack that's just as catchy as the original.
Specifications
I had to play the prequel to Life is Strange after finishing the first part of the game, which I also left a review for (check out my review of the first part). It's called Before the Storm, and I just had to dive in.
One thing that struck me right off the bat is how feminine the game feels. There's no real conflict or tension - you just get to make choices and see how things play out.
In the prequel, you get to go back in time with Chloe and relive the moments that led up to her friendship with Rachel. You get to see the nitty-gritty of their relationship, from the good times to the bad.
Going back in time lets you relive all the drama that hit Chloe after Max left, from getting kicked out of school to dyeing her hair blue for the first time.
Here, Chloe's more of a support system for Rachel, who's dealing with some heavy stuff about her family. You can see how much Chloe cares about their friendship, and it's really sweet.
It's also cool to see where Frank came from - he's not as bad as he is in the main game, and Pompidou's still adorable.
What I want to highlight about this mini-episode:
I've got to say, I was really loving the art style in Before the Storm, especially when it came to Rachel. Compared to the other characters in the game, she definitely got the short end of the stick.
I was also stoked to see that there was no time rewinding in this game. I mean, who doesn't hate constantly rewinding time in the middle of a playthrough?
But, to be honest, I felt like this game had way too much movie and not enough interaction. Before the Storm is seriously lacking in puzzles and exploration.
I've got to say, Victoria's character design in this game was a bit off for me. She looked different from how I remembered her in the previous game. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it was definitely noticeable.
The plot in this game is all over the place. At first, they're trying to escape, and then they find out that Rachel's mom is a junkie and not the person they thought she was. And then, suddenly, they're off on this wild goose chase to find the real mom. I mean, what's the point of all this? It's just so confusing.
As for the bonus episode, I was really underwhelmed. It's just Chloe and Max playing pirates, and Max is trying to tell Chloe that he's leaving, but we already know the ending, so it's just a bunch of unnecessary drama.
Honestly, I was really looking forward to this game. I thought it would be a mix of the budding friendship between Rachel and Chloe, some hints at the upcoming crimes, and maybe even some clues about the villain. But, what I got was a boring and uneventful game.
The original game was all about its story and twisty ending, and it had some really scary, mysterious, and sad moments. But, this prequel was just a letdown. I mean, what was the point of even making this game? And what were the developers trying to tell us with this story?
I'm only giving it 3 stars because other players seem to have enjoyed it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. For me, this game was a disappointment.
Check out my review of the first game here.