Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 3: Hell is Empty

 PC
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 68 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 68
  3. Negative: 21 out of 68

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. scepticpurple
    Dec 24, 2017
    8
    Hell is empty's heavy emphasis on dialogue and character development serves as both it's greatest strength and its greatest flaw. While it boasts some of the richest, most believable character interactions in the series, and draws the game to a fairly satisfying conclusion, it's pacing suffers from the frequency of such events, and so the episode can feel like a bit of a slog to getHell is empty's heavy emphasis on dialogue and character development serves as both it's greatest strength and its greatest flaw. While it boasts some of the richest, most believable character interactions in the series, and draws the game to a fairly satisfying conclusion, it's pacing suffers from the frequency of such events, and so the episode can feel like a bit of a slog to get through. The pay-off is rewarding (and in the case of a certain after-credits scene, typically soul-destroying) though, besides one or two plot points that are left irritatingly unresolved.… Expand
  2. Xzenor
    Mar 4, 2020
    9
    The 3rd episode is awesome again. It's pretty tough to talk about it without spoiling anything so I'll keep it short. I think story-wise, Before the Storm is even beter than the original Life is Strange. If you liked the original game for the story and not just for the time-thingy, then get this game. Emotions are so important and done so well.. From the first episode I already connectedThe 3rd episode is awesome again. It's pretty tough to talk about it without spoiling anything so I'll keep it short. I think story-wise, Before the Storm is even beter than the original Life is Strange. If you liked the original game for the story and not just for the time-thingy, then get this game. Emotions are so important and done so well.. From the first episode I already connected more with Cloe and Rachel than I did with Max, and it stayed like that for the entire game.
    It's simply amazing what Deck9 did here and I thank them for it.    … Expand
  3. Ciocolici
    Sep 7, 2023
    9
    With "Hell is Empty," the prologue story of "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" reaches its poignant conclusion. As I reflect on the entire experience, I must admit that this game is undoubtedly inferior to the original "Life is Strange" in many aspects, except for its impressive graphics and overall aesthetics. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean it falls short; rather, it highlights just howWith "Hell is Empty," the prologue story of "Life is Strange: Before the Storm" reaches its poignant conclusion. As I reflect on the entire experience, I must admit that this game is undoubtedly inferior to the original "Life is Strange" in many aspects, except for its impressive graphics and overall aesthetics. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean it falls short; rather, it highlights just how exceptional the first game truly was—a masterpiece that's challenging to replicate in a side-story prologue.

    Throughout this journey, I cherished every second of the game, and I am genuinely thrilled with the experience. The opportunity to play as Chloe and witness her sad, heartbreaking story unfold was nothing short of a dream come true. I'm deeply grateful to the developers for bringing her character to life in such a captivating way.

    I want to avoid repeating myself from my previous reviews, so I'll simply state that "Hell is Empty" is another amazing episode, matching, if not surpassing, the quality of the other two. The storytelling continues to be engaging, and I was fully immersed in every moment. The emotions it stirred within me were profound, and the impact of the choices I made felt significant.

    The final scene, after the credits, left me emotionally devastated. Deck Nine, why did you do this to me? It was an emotionally charged moment that left a lasting impression, reminding me of the powerful storytelling that "Life is Strange" is known for.

    I highly recommend this prologue to any fan of the "Life is Strange" universe!    … Expand
  4. realWhiteMan
    Apr 9, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My rating is based on my impressions of the game. This is not an objective review. I play quite a big number of titles per year and decided to review them as a peace of art and not as a product.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 17, 2018
    75
    Still has a great atmosphere, but that unique magic from the original is simply not there.
    Read full review
  2. Riot Pixels
    Jan 28, 2018
    66
    If you are a fan of the original game, get ready to hold back tears after watching a brief post-credits scene, and it will give you a deeper appreciation of that scene in the scrapyard from LIS Episode 4. I think this is the whole reason why Before the Storm exists, and that is good.
    Read full review
  3. 3DJuegos
    Jan 22, 2018
    75
    Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a good adventure game that conserve the quality of the original game, but is less emotive and surprising. The story is a beautiful novel about moral growth and love, and the relationship between Rachel and Chloe is captivating, but ends feeling rushed and loses the focus.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »