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

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. We Got This Covered
    Jan 6, 2018
    70
    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.
  2. DualShockers
    Jan 2, 2018
    70
    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.
  3. God is a Geek
    Dec 24, 2017
    70
    Certainly not a calm before the storm, but while it’s full of wonderful characters this final chapter feels unsatisfactory.
  5. Gameblog.fr
    Dec 20, 2017
    70
    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.
  6. Push Square
    Dec 19, 2017
    70
    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.
  7. DarkStation
    Jan 12, 2018
    60
    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.
  8. CGMagazine
    Dec 28, 2017
    60
    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.
  9. The Games Machine
    Dec 22, 2017
    59
    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.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 87
  3. Negative: 16 out of 87
  1. AugustWest1
    Jan 2, 2018
    10
    I enjoyed every second of this game. Every episode brought something fresh and exciting to the table and injected life into this story. II enjoyed every second of this game. Every episode brought something fresh and exciting to the table and injected life into this story. I finished playing feeling emotionally moved more so than the majority of games I play. The story telling, the pacing, is all some of the finest work available in the gaming world today. Eagerly anticipating more. Bravissimo… Full Review »
  2. rikkardeye0
    Dec 20, 2017
    0
    Huge fan of Life is Strange. What the **** is this episode three. Weak,uneventful, No ideas. Should have done 5 episodes spanning from meetingHuge fan of Life is Strange. What the **** is this episode three. Weak,uneventful, No ideas. Should have done 5 episodes spanning from meeting Rachel to the events of season 1.

    This feels like it has been stripped down of 70 percent of its content. Abysmal. You dont even get the chance of playng , its just cutscenes. There is no choice, the endings are almost all the same.

    Episode 1 and 2 while not ideal i thought they were great. This episode three makes me fear for the Farewell episode, please deck 9 dont **** Farewell up.    … Full Review »
  3. ElGuapo
    Dec 23, 2017
    6
    I was expecting better considering the first two episodes were pretty good, but I was rather disappointed and underwhelmed. The last 30I was expecting better considering the first two episodes were pretty good, but I was rather disappointed and underwhelmed. The last 30 seconds of the episode gave me chills, however, and it may have been the best part, sadly.… Full Review »
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