Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 2: Brave New World

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 133 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 133
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 133
  3. Negative: 24 out of 133

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  1. Below_Average
    Oct 20, 2017
    7
    TL;DR ratings at bottom.
    The second episode was, as is often the case, mostly filler leading up to the final episode. Gameplay wise, it is little more than a few search for the item and click X minigames. Luckily the narrative in this episode was much better than the first. I must especially applaud the "theatrical" scene as one of the most creative and effective ways of growing    TL;DR ratings at bottom.
    The second episode was, as is often the case, mostly filler leading up to the final episode. Gameplay wise, it is little more than a few search for the item and click X minigames. Luckily the narrative in this episode was much better than the first. I must especially applaud the "theatrical" scene as one of the most creative and effective ways of growing characters that I've ever seen. I was honestly surprised by it, and that is a very rare thing for me nowadays. On the other hand, I kept count of the number of times that a line of dialogue or silly forced choice made me either roll my eyes to the back of my head or cringe, and I came out with three, which for an episode I spent three hours playing isn't too bad, especially considering that I racked up 8 physical reactions in episode one. The "plot twist" at the end wasn't terribly exciting, but fortunately they developed the characters well enough through this episode that it didn't bother me all that much. Though I still don't love the fact that they went with established characters with set storylines, they at least seem to now have a direction and general feel to the plot, which was sorely lacking in episode one. The sound design was again exceptional, with one major asterisk. For the first time the music broke my immersion, rather than deepening it. This is the only time I can remember in the series, outside of an outro, that a song played with no in world source. The strangest thing is that it happened while Chloe sat in a vehicle that had a presumably working radio. It's a small gripe, but with a series that has always paid as much or even more attention to sound design than even narrative, I can't let it slide. Overall this episode was an improvement over the first, but still offered little more than a typical teenage drama, albeit with more believable characters.

    TL;DR Ratings
    Gameplay: 2/5
    Graphics: 3.5/5
    Story: 4/5
    Sound: 4.5/5
    Teenage Angst: 6/5
    Overall: 7/10    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Best PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. FANDOM
    Dec 11, 2017
    90
    Life is Strange: Before the Storm has so far been consistent in its delivery of a heartfelt story with lots of wiggle room for players to craft their own emotional journey. The final episode can’t come soon enough.
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  2. DualShockers
    Nov 10, 2017
    80
    Life Is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2: Brave New World showed me what Deck Nine is capable of in terms of storytelling and character growth.
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  3. Impulsegamer
    Nov 7, 2017
    80
    Episode 2: Brave New World is a fun, albeit slower-paced and darker look into the earlier life of Chloe Price and how she ends up in the mess she is in by the time of the first game. It also sheds some proper light on the force of nature Rachel Amber is and why so many people in Arcadia Bay find themselves directly or indirectly at least admiring her from afar. The many personal problems this episode tackles makes it feel like one of the most grounded parts of the entire series – because there’s no supernatural time travelling hi-jinks to save the day. As a fan of the first game, I have so far very much enjoyed Deck Nine’s prequel, and with the solid character development and hard choices they’ve presented here, they’re heading into the finale strong.
    Read full review
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