User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 626 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 55 out of 626

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  1. May 8, 2021
    7
    Una precuela que sabe complementar de manera decente al primer juego, pero que termina intentado replicar la misma esencia sin capturar toda la magia de este ultimo.
    El conflicto principal en general es mas melodramático que serio, el final es un poco incongruente, y la falta de poderes hace que sea significativamente menos interesante de jugar.
    Pero a pesar de todo, es una aventura
    Una precuela que sabe complementar de manera decente al primer juego, pero que termina intentado replicar la misma esencia sin capturar toda la magia de este ultimo.
    El conflicto principal en general es mas melodramático que serio, el final es un poco incongruente, y la falta de poderes hace que sea significativamente menos interesante de jugar.

    Pero a pesar de todo, es una aventura disfrutable, y su DLC Farewell es simplemente lo mejor.
    Aunque no tenga mucho sentido que tenga menos capítulos que el primer juego, y a la vez cobre un dólar extra por ellos.
    Es un juego inferior al primero que cuesta 5 dólares mas, lo que hay que tener en cuenta.
    Expand
  2. Aug 28, 2020
    10
    **************************
    +Story
    +Gameplay
    + Rachel and Chloe
    **************************
  3. Jul 12, 2020
    10
    Because I just recently discovered and finished LIS I immediately jumped to BTS. A prequel rarely works this good. This game is also demanding, the musical score, the story, and the dynamic between the two main characters, plus the chemistry is fantastic. Very emotional and lifelike story. It is a must if you enjoyed LIS1. The voice acting of the main characters are praiseworthy. Episode2Because I just recently discovered and finished LIS I immediately jumped to BTS. A prequel rarely works this good. This game is also demanding, the musical score, the story, and the dynamic between the two main characters, plus the chemistry is fantastic. Very emotional and lifelike story. It is a must if you enjoyed LIS1. The voice acting of the main characters are praiseworthy. Episode2 is easily my favourite ep from both LIS1 and BTS games. And I didn't mention that this game is more humorous than the first. Expand
  4. Aug 4, 2020
    10
    Многие пишут что игра хуже потому что нету супер способностей, но это глупо, как по мне эта часть лучше в разы, как минимум больше сочувствуешь и сопереживаешь персонажам в этой игре, с первой частью такого не было, возможно это из-за того что BEFORE THE STORM я прошел первой, но все ровно история более душевная чем в основной игре.Многие пишут что игра хуже потому что нету супер способностей, но это глупо, как по мне эта часть лучше в разы, как минимум больше сочувствуешь и сопереживаешь персонажам в этой игре, с первой частью такого не было, возможно это из-за того что BEFORE THE STORM я прошел первой, но все ровно история более душевная чем в основной игре.
  5. Feb 13, 2021
    10
    More a gem than a game. A must for all people with a heart. LiS evokes feelings that are extremely rare in games. Just play it (1. LiS Before the Storm. 2. LiS).
  6. Apr 8, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Two great episodes followed by a disappointing third. There are clear signs of the finale being rushed and/or reworked late into the development, with threats being resolved off-screen, Sara's OD coming to absolutely nothing, Sara doing an uncharacteristic 180 on her motivation to see Rachel despite prior years of efforts to do so, etc. The soundtrack is brilliant, the highlights for me were Daughter's songs "Flaws", "Youth" and "Burn It Down". The dream sequences were particularly interesting. Expand
  7. Oct 3, 2020
    10
    True masterpiece. Even better than original. One of the best adventure game in whole history of video games.
    Sadness... All that you have at the end
  8. Mar 18, 2020
    7
    The storytelling is good again. But to be honest, it is not as good as Life is Strange 1. I played even the bonus episode "Farewell" too. Approx. 15 hrs on record.
  9. Jun 19, 2020
    9
    Juegan con los fans al mostrate la historia de cloe pero hay algo que no termina de cuajar ya que hay algunos dialogos de risa, pero aun asi es disfrutable, sobreto el capitulo extra, que es lo mejor del juego
  10. Jul 9, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The first two episodes, though they have some inconsistencies with the first game, are amazing. A very well written and paced story about how meeting someone new can save your life. It has the right amount of drama, romance and angst. It's definitely worth playing, though I can't say the same about episode 3.

    The story starts focusing on the adults when it should remain on Chloe and Rachel's bond. There's some good parts; like on Rachel's bedroom, inside the shack, Rachel's hospital room and the ending montage; but filling in the plot holes... it's a mess. You have a buildup with Steph and Elliot on Chloe's sexuality and it's not addressed, which makes them irrelevant. Elliot shouldn't have been important mid-episode. Rachel being absent for half the episode was a bad move when the focus should be on her, we should be on this adventure WITH her, not doing things FOR her. The post-credits scene was a big f*ck you if it wasn't build up for another game letting us decide Rachel's fate.

    In conclusion, this game is wonderful, worth the play, but it could have been better.
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  11. Aug 17, 2020
    9
    Most probably who plays Before The Storm already played the original game, comparisons might sometime favor one on top of the other. I personally find the prequel a very good game (not superior to the original, but rather in line with it), no comparison needed: very good mechanics adjustments to create similar gameplay feel but fit to the protagonist's personality.

    Also the soundtrack
    Most probably who plays Before The Storm already played the original game, comparisons might sometime favor one on top of the other. I personally find the prequel a very good game (not superior to the original, but rather in line with it), no comparison needed: very good mechanics adjustments to create similar gameplay feel but fit to the protagonist's personality.

    Also the soundtrack is perfectly adjusted to this. Actually, both games have very good soundtrack choices, different genres, but good choices for the situation. Not to mention, the lyrics were sometimes incredibly well fit even if the music was not always part of those special designed soundtracks for the game - if you listen carefully you'll be surprised.

    As you reveal in the first game the secret lives of dorm mates and colleagues, which sometimes changes your perception towards their behavior, Before The Storm allows the player to discover Chloe's story. You only know from the first game that she is a rebel and seems selfish even if in the end of the original game you can already tell she is actually not a bad person, and is capable of being good, selfless and caring. But you still don't know how come she was best friends with Max even if they seem to be so different, maybe also Chloe was different in her childhood? Also, what is the story between her and Rachel? The game manages to answer these 2 questions for you, still giving lessons of life about being kind with the ones around you (even though you can chose whether you want to be nice or mean to the ones around you, depending on how you view Chloe). You can find even some inspiring words of wisdom here and there, if you read carefully. The game is basically showing you the transformation of Chloe after losing her father and her best friend. Makes you understand and sometimes feel even sadder about some decisions (even seemingly insignificant) in the original game, and even understand why Max barely recognizes her.

    In conclusion, it is another well written playable story that teaches us to put an effort into understanding each other and trying to be nice, since we might not know what a person is truly going through. Maybe the reason for their anger and the "leave me alone" attitude is just a self-made defensive mechanism in order to prevent even more suffering. Not sure if it will work to play it as a standalone game, but definitely worth a try if you enjoyed the original Life is Strange game.
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  12. Dec 17, 2018
    10
    Если же первая часть Life is Strange после прохождения вызывала примерно такой спектр эмоций "О БОЖЕ МОЙ ЭТО ШЕДЕВР! 12 ИЗ 10 НА КОНЧИКАХ ПАЛЬЦЕВ!! СОТРИТЕ МНЕ ПАМЯТЬ, ЧТОБЫ Я СНОВА СМОГ ПРОЙТИ СИЕ ТВОРЕНИЕ!! ПОЧЕМУ Я РЫДАЮ КАК СУЧКА?!", то Before the Sthorm вызывает... ТОЧНО ТАКИЕ ЖЕ ЭМОЦИИ! Я до сих пор поражаюсь как можно сделать такую интересную и душевную иссторию? Персонажи какЕсли же первая часть Life is Strange после прохождения вызывала примерно такой спектр эмоций "О БОЖЕ МОЙ ЭТО ШЕДЕВР! 12 ИЗ 10 НА КОНЧИКАХ ПАЛЬЦЕВ!! СОТРИТЕ МНЕ ПАМЯТЬ, ЧТОБЫ Я СНОВА СМОГ ПРОЙТИ СИЕ ТВОРЕНИЕ!! ПОЧЕМУ Я РЫДАЮ КАК СУЧКА?!", то Before the Sthorm вызывает... ТОЧНО ТАКИЕ ЖЕ ЭМОЦИИ! Я до сих пор поражаюсь как можно сделать такую интересную и душевную иссторию? Персонажи как всегда великолепны, графика пусть и простенькая, но довольно приятная глазу, а музыка... эх... ну я думаю вы уже и сами поняли. Кто-то может сказать, что приквел чутка уступает по накалу страстей оригиналу... Быть может, но всё же этот факт не помешал мне получить массу удовольствия от игры. Мимо таких изумрудов игровой индустрии ни в коем случае не стоит проходить. Крайне рекомендую!

    P.S.

    Дополнительный эпизод оху... кхм... великолепен!
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  13. Aug 17, 2018
    8
    The first 2 episodes are just great, but the 3rd one seems very sloppy. Still, as a whole Before the Storm works quiet well and it's definitely a must-play for everyone who liked the original Life is Strange for its characters and atmosphere.
  14. Feb 6, 2018
    10
    Sorry for crappy english
    Imagining the challenge laid out for Deck Nine: Prequel. No time rewind mechanics. SAG strike stealing protagonists voice actor. Top standards set by original LiS. And what came out of it? I applaud. More than well done.
    It is the same old game, yet quite different. It feels more life like for me, and just from subjective perspective, Chloe as protagonist is
    Sorry for crappy english
    Imagining the challenge laid out for Deck Nine: Prequel. No time rewind mechanics. SAG strike stealing protagonists voice actor. Top standards set by original LiS. And what came out of it? I applaud. More than well done.
    It is the same old game, yet quite different. It feels more life like for me, and just from subjective
    perspective, Chloe as protagonist is more close to my heart, and Rachel as friend, or more... is breathtaking... mesmerizing... easily passing all expectations i had for her (from original) and exceeding them.

    To summarize:
    1. controls in BtS are IMO worse than old ones, i am mouse keyboard player.
    2. voice acting of Chloe is tiny bit worse, or appealing to my ears, but it is easily forgivable
    3. both games sux hard, being so short, practically i should give score 1 from desperation... jokes aside i would love to spend there way way more time (without any BS like selling extra episodes for extra special editions, etc... meh!) BtS being shorter - SUX
    4. i like music in BtS more, but its very subjective

    Most important thing i would love to note: Original LiS made me cry... so many times... Which is super rare thing, especially playing videogames. Before the Storm though - made me cry less times, yet still it did quite a bit - BUT it made me laugh so hard, probably most ever of all games. Original made me laugh only with Frank eating beans scene.

    PRO TIP Dont take BtS serious, and it will reward you... maybe even in serious manner.

    P.S. i am not lesbian, but im pretty sure, that I love Rachel 4ever!
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  15. Aug 4, 2019
    8
    Doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, but still an outstanding video game.
  16. Jul 3, 2020
    10
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world the most beautiful game in the world the most beautiful game in the world the most beautiful game in the world the most beautiful game in the world the most beautiful game in the world the most beautiful game in the world the most beautiful game in the world the most
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
    the most beautiful game in the world
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  17. Mar 10, 2018
    10
    This is not a game, this is art, people need to stop comparing this game with the previous, both games are masterpieces in their own way
  18. Aug 31, 2017
    7
    Not a bad game if you enjoyed the first. Graphics are decent but not up to par with the previous Life is Strange's. Performace was good on a ps4 with a few stutters here and there but nothing too bad. Soundtrack was beautiful like the previous game's, and it upholds its reputation for stellar music. In the end whether or not you like this game depends on your feelings for the first.
  19. Mar 11, 2018
    4
    Without the time travel and that feeling of danger in the air, it is just a teenage drama and superficial youth renegade story with not enough "kick" to it.
  20. Apr 17, 2018
    10
    Класс,класс и еще раз класс игра просто бомба
  21. Nov 2, 2019
    10
    Like first one 10/10

    Great game
    Great Story
    Great Characters
    Great Soundtracks

    Masterpiece
  22. Aug 28, 2019
    8
    I ended up really enjoying the original Life is Strange but was worried how good a prequel could be without the time travel gimmick and being developed by a different studio. Well it turns out it can still be pretty damn good. There are a few things I didn’t like so much but overall it was a great way to build upon the story and flesh out characters.

    I especially like what they did
    I ended up really enjoying the original Life is Strange but was worried how good a prequel could be without the time travel gimmick and being developed by a different studio. Well it turns out it can still be pretty damn good. There are a few things I didn’t like so much but overall it was a great way to build upon the story and flesh out characters.

    I especially like what they did with Frank, Chloe’s drug dealer. I felt like they added some good depth to him and he had some of my favorite moments of the game. Mikey and Steph also had one of the better moments of the game when you can play a D&D game with them. I guess my main issue with the game was that, while Life is Strange had no shortage of teenage angst to it, there was also a lot of serious issues covered such as murder, a missing friend, suicide and the destruction of the town. Before the Storm does cover what it can such as the death of Chloe’s father, a bit of political corruption and one very deranged drug dealer but overall there is a lot of angst for the sake of having teenage angst than heavy issues. Overall though it was still enjoyable and had some touching coming of age moments as well. One thing I liked was there were plenty of reasons to both like and dislike pretty much each character. Like in life no one is perfect and sometimes you want to smack someone upside the head even if you care about them.

    The gameplay is pretty similar to the original where you have to solve some light puzzles to progress, many of which won’t give anyone too much trouble. Except for the amulet puzzle in the bonus episode. That thing took way more effort than I expected. You get plenty of dialogue options and choices to try and tailor the story to you. The graphics are surprisingly similar to the original. I expected more of a change considering the engine change but there wasn’t. While the graphics aren’t worse they also aren’t better. The game always had kind of a comic book type of vibe going for it not outright realism so I’m not being overly hard on that front. The voice acting was well done across the board. The soundtrack was awesome and really fit the game well.

    I played Before the Storm on Linux. I used version 1.0.1 of the game on Steam. The game uses the Unity engine where the original used the Unreal Engine 3. This allowed the game to run much better. The original never ran great for me on Linux, usually 20-30 FPS maxed out and that is par the course for Unreal 3. Before the Storm maxed out ran at a constant 144 FPS with the odd dip to the 130’s for a second or two. I credit the engine switch with that as Unreal 3 was never really a great engine for Linux. Option wise there are 4 different AA settings, Vsync and two other graphics settings. Sadly Alt-Tab doesn’t work. My system while playing the game used between 3.2-5.1GB of system RAM, and between 7-26% of my CPU. There were no manual save options, it was all checkpoint based. Luckily I never lost too much progress if I had to quit but manual saving would have still been preferable. You can pause cut scenes but you can’t skip them. The game used 22.66GB of storage. The game never crashed on me but I did have an issue that happened 3 times where it would say “starting” in Steam when I went to launch the game but it never actually opened. I had to manually kill the process for the game and logout/login to Steam again to get it to run. I noticed no other glitches or issues.

    I played through all 3 episodes and the bonus episode in 11 hours. I paid $20.56 CAD for the deluxe edition and felt it was worth every penny. I would easily pay $49.99 for it. If you enjoy the original Life is Strange, enjoy adventure games that are focused more on story rather than action then give it a go.

    My score: 8.5/10

    My System:

    AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 16GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | MSI RX 580 8GB Gaming X | Mesa 19.1.4 | Samsung 850 Evo 250GB | Manjaro 18.0.4 | Mate 1.22.1 | Kernel 5.2.8-1-MANJARO
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  23. Jan 19, 2018
    7
    Life is Strange back in 2015 really was a game i didnt expect i'd fall in love with but somehow i did. While i liked and enjoyed Before the Storm, i cant say the same here cuz biggest part that i loved back then was the time manipulation and all the weird, mysterious stuff that revolved around Maxine's powers impact on the world around her, Before the Storm simply i think was bit tooLife is Strange back in 2015 really was a game i didnt expect i'd fall in love with but somehow i did. While i liked and enjoyed Before the Storm, i cant say the same here cuz biggest part that i loved back then was the time manipulation and all the weird, mysterious stuff that revolved around Maxine's powers impact on the world around her, Before the Storm simply i think was bit too grounded and normal, which isnt bad by any means, but for me it didnt have that special charm.

    A lot of the meat that made original so damn good is still present, it still has that beautifly done nostalgic atmosphere, neat soundtrack, believable characters you care about, genuinely despise and undertand their struggles, sublte mistery going around Chloe.

    Art style hasnt changed a bit even when Deck 9 used Unity engine, which isnt a bad thing by me, BUT what pisses me off really bad is that OG game with 5 episodes was an 11 GB game while BtS is a god damned 18 GB with just 3 episodes. I care about my GB and it just shows developer inability to optimize their crap. Atleast unlike oh so many Unity games, this one runs fine.

    Even tho you know where Rachel will end up, it was pretty cool to see her and Chloe's ways that shaped her up to the person you her in original series and what kind of a person Rachel was and the stuff she went thru.

    P.S.

    FFFUUU Square Enix and Deck 9 for locking bonus episode ''Farewell'' behind Deluxe Edition, really disgusting way to treat the fans.
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  24. Feb 23, 2018
    10
    People should stop to compare this game with the original LiS always and always again. Although lt's tied close with LiS in a scenario and with the characters and the mainstory so it's still an other thing... its own thing. I see Before the Storm as an absolutely fantastic and magical storybased adventuregame that tells us "its own! story in its own way of theatre, of drama and poetry".People should stop to compare this game with the original LiS always and always again. Although lt's tied close with LiS in a scenario and with the characters and the mainstory so it's still an other thing... its own thing. I see Before the Storm as an absolutely fantastic and magical storybased adventuregame that tells us "its own! story in its own way of theatre, of drama and poetry".
    Somehow it feels like homecoming.

    Especially with given limitations of a prequel did Deck Nine a very good job with this.
    That's my opinion
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  25. Dec 3, 2018
    10
    Это лучшее во что я играл. Берет за душу и не хочется чтобы их история заканчивалась. 10/10
  26. Aug 18, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. it is interesting to play LiS:BTS even you know what will be with Rachel. Dontnod can made very emotional game and DeckNine can made it at the same level.
    P.S: Special Thank to Daughters for this best Soundtrack
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  27. Oct 20, 2020
    10
    Life is Strange is together with Before the Storm the best two parts of the LIS universe.
    The latest game in the series, Tell me Why, got another name but I know too well it derives from
    LIS as well, it's the well known cocktail of ingredients that people seem to like, and in that regard isn't bad at all! The black sheep of the series is part 2 imo. LIS is a one of a kind game, and
    Life is Strange is together with Before the Storm the best two parts of the LIS universe.
    The latest game in the series, Tell me Why, got another name but I know too well it derives from
    LIS as well, it's the well known cocktail of ingredients that people seem to like, and in that regard isn't bad at all! The black sheep of the series is part 2 imo.

    LIS is a one of a kind game, and they could have done a few more part with Max and Cloe if it was
    up to me! at least i read alot of people would have loved to see more of the two friends
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  28. Sep 1, 2017
    10
    I highly recommend this game to anyone who enjoyed the first game. The story is wonderful and emotional, the soundtrack is amazing just like in LiS season 1. I urge you to really give it a try. Deck Nine had spoken to us about their love for LiS and it shows in this game.
  29. Apr 10, 2018
    9
    Better than the previous game in every aspect. Very pretty graphics, some great cinematography and art style. Very engaging story and natural dialogue which was also my selling point for this title seeing as how I hated the cringe-worthy "How do you do, fellow kids?" style dialogue in the original.

    The voice acting is top tier especially coupled with the amazing facial animations. This
    Better than the previous game in every aspect. Very pretty graphics, some great cinematography and art style. Very engaging story and natural dialogue which was also my selling point for this title seeing as how I hated the cringe-worthy "How do you do, fellow kids?" style dialogue in the original.

    The voice acting is top tier especially coupled with the amazing facial animations. This makes for some very believable and lovable characters that really allows the game to hit you right in the feels.

    In the last episode though, the pace of the story kind of slowed down and didn't really reach the peak I was hoping it would, but it still was a very enjoyable game.
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  30. Dec 19, 2017
    7
    Life is Strange Before the Storm
    A decent story with not much choice
    Before the storm is a 3 episode long adventure game that tells the story of chloe and Rachel amber The girl that’s missing at the beginning of life I strange The 3 episodes last about 3 hours long and is much more dialog focused.. You play as chloe and she has no special powers Ocasionnaly you get into a battle of
    Life is Strange Before the Storm
    A decent story with not much choice
    Before the storm is a 3 episode long adventure game that tells the story of chloe and Rachel amber
    The girl that’s missing at the beginning of life I strange
    The 3 episodes last about 3 hours long and is much more dialog focused..
    You play as chloe and she has no special powers
    Ocasionnaly you get into a battle of words where you have to try and talk your way into or out of a situation…
    you have to pay close attention to what your opponent says and say something back to go along with it in a smooth way…
    Other than that, youre just choosing what you believe is the best response for chloes situation, you can be cold or warm, not much in between
    As youre dealing with your new step dad david, and getting into trouble with Rachel amber…
    There are a few special moments here, but not much…
    Overall I feel there are no real choices of consequence here which is a bit of a let down..
    Making this feel more like an interactive movie than an actual adventure game.
    The first episode I found it hard to care what was going on at all.. despite me crying for chloe in life is strange.. I just didn’t care about her or her relationship with amber at first, the only saving grace being a dungeons and dragons game thrown in there…
    But episode 2 completely changed my opinion of the game and the relationship of these 2 girls…
    Easily my favorite episode where theres a little more adventure type sections of looking for items you need but more importantly theres more bonding, there are more characters, drama, theres a play that for me topped even the dungeons and dragons game…
    The relationship felt alive and real, and then episode 3 comes along and It just disappoints in comparrison….
    It goes by at a snails pace, though there are touching moments with chloes father that really saves it from feeling like an ultimate let down…
    The story telling saves this game, and its middle episode makes the 7 hour journey worth it.
    The delivery of this game is just very inconsistent… filled with great moments as well as moments youll be begging to just be over
    But I cried and I cared,
    And as a game that sets out to tell a story I guess that’s all that really matters
    I give life is strange before the storm
    a 7/10
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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Apr 18, 2018
    80
    It's rare that a prequel truly works, where a story can captivate despite the audience knowing what's coming and where the path will lead. Life Is Strange: Before The Storm is one of those exceptional stories because it draws you in on its own terms. The only problem: You know it's building you up just to break your heart.
  2. CD-Action
    Apr 3, 2018
    80
    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]
  3. Mar 14, 2018
    80
    Deck Nine have finished off Life is Strange in sterling fashion. Saying farewell to Arcadia Bay with Before the Storm is sad, but the best farewells usually are.