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

It may lack the mechanical variety and elegant sophistication of say, What Remains Of Edith Finch, but despite that, Before The Storm still manages to be one of the finest gaming experiences in undoubtedly one of the medium’s best years.

Hell is Empty perfectly pays off what was built up in the first two episodes while also providing a bridge to the original series. Acting as a prequel series put Before the Storm in a tough spot, but the third episode shows that you can pull of a lofty goal like that near-perfectly. It’s a fantastic conclusion to the prequel series and a must-play for anyone who enjoyed the first two episodes. You’ll see proper payoffs to many things here, while the main game serves as a payoff for other storylines and characters introduced in this series — allowing this self-contained part of the tale to do its own thing without having to wrap up every part of the narrative.

We've enjoyed learning about Chloe and Rachel, and we think this is a great ending for the series. This particular episode prioritizes narrative over gameplay, but we think it works, and we can only say that Deck Nine has done a great job creating this prequel.

A solid ending to the powerful Life is Strange prequel series, Hell is Empty delivers all the emotional beats that you would expect as Chloe and Rachel’s adventures come to a close.

The powerful last episode of the prequel series.

Deck Nine has lived up to the expectations and has crafted a perfectly fitting ending to Chloe Price’s journey. Although Life is Strange: Before the Storm could have had a couple more chapters, “Hell is Empty” is a more than enjoyable finale to the prequel.

Badass and at the same time lovely story that will reach our hearts if we empathize with Chloe and Rachel. The perfect prequel for a thrilling story with a characteristic graphic and sound design. Treating the figure of secondary characters so masterfully, the whole world of Arcadia Bay feels alive and will make us feel inside.

Before the Storm does do some fantastic work of setting the brickwork for the original game.

Even with some foibles, Hell is Empty does a fantastic job filling in the blanks of what happened before Chloe was reunited with Max. As a fan, its references to the original shed light on how many things came to be, such as Chloe's transformation. Yes, I knew the conclusion, but it still has enough interesting developments to keep me invested. Before the Storm accomplishes what so many prequels fail to do; it tells its own story that leaves you content, while also connecting to the original game in a meaningful way.

Before the Storm redefines what a Life is Strange game can be. Going into this mini-story I believed the series needed the backing of supernatural mythology to carry the narrative, but Before The Storm proves that to be false. Life is Strange simply needs great well written characters, and when you place them in a compelling situation they will blossom. Where Life is Strange goes from here will be very interesting, but as long as the creators continue to treat the characters with the respect they have evolved to deserve I for sure will follow.

The final episode of Life is Strange: Before the Storm solidifies its well-deserved place as one of the best prequel entries to a popular gaming franchise ever. It captures the original series aesthetic and narrative tone while successfully introducing its own new and unique story elements that enhance rather than subtract from the original game’s established setting. Its shorter episode count did feel like the reason for many storylines falling by the wayside in favour of Chloe, but its great writing throughout and emotional ending brings a satisfying conclusion to the overall LiS saga – though there is still one more bonus episode coming in 2018 for owners of the Deluxe Edition to look forward to.

Thus closes, Before the Storm, with a strong sense of remorse...

The last episode of Life is Strange: Before the Storm is awesome. It resonates in the characters of Chloe and Rachel, building a story on few very strong topics.

Before the Storm is the more personal take on the series’ formula, forgoing the supernatural elements of the first series in favor of something more real, and I’m so glad it did.

The episode itself has its weak points, but it’s still a successfully heart-rending finale to one of the great storytelling achievements in gaming.

If you are a series veteran looking to relive the magic of Life is Strange, then there is no doubt Before the Storm will scratch the right itch.

A fitting finale to this prequel miniseries that lays the foundations to Max and Chloe’s future escapades, and while it doesn’t quite hit the heady heights of the mainline series, it holds its own as a unique, self-contained teen-drama, with a gritty bite of realism thrown in for good measure.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 3: Hell is Empty offered a nice companion to the Life is Strange universe, but the shock of the conclusion is lost when compared to the superior Episode 2.

Certainly not a calm before the storm, but while it’s full of wonderful characters this final chapter feels unsatisfactory.

With Life is Strange Before the Storm - Episode 3 : Hell is Empty, Deck Nine brings a satisfying conclusion to this prequel. Even if we could have expected some more significant consequences to the choices we wake, it's still a touching story for two really adorable characters in a lovely world. A godd way to wait for what's next.

Life Is Strange: Before the Storm is more down to Earth than the main campaign, and it’s actually better for it. Deck Nine’s done an incredible job of working within the boundaries that DONTNOD’s story set, and its biggest achievement is characterising the enigmatic Rachel Amber, who’s both intoxicating and fragile all at the same time. Episode 3: Hell Is Empty feels like it could use a little more breathing room, but it crescendos with a gorgeous conclusion that’s as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking. After all, we already know whether this story ends.

Life Is Strange: Before The Storm has its moments but on the whole, it just didn’t do enough to capture my attention the way Life Is Strange did. Though easily a tumultuous period in her life, Chloe wasn’t as interesting as she was in the original game. The whole back talk mechanic isn’t an adequate replacement for Max’s time travel ability because I feel the consequences weren’t nearly as substantial.

Hell is Empty feels like a superficial way to cap its story off, as it chooses an easy ending to Rachel and Chloe’s relationship rather than exploring its darker conclusion.

Before the Storm shouldn't have been done. It doesn't add anything to the original work from DONTNOD, to the point where sometimes it seems just another game with the same characters, and a much less inspired soundtrack.