Life is Strange: Before the Storm

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 576 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 414 out of 576
  2. Mixed: 103 out of 576
  3. Negative: 59 out of 576
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  1. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    5
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!
  2. Lollllkkj
    Sep 2, 2023
    5
    5 su 10. Un gioco che pur avendo una storia molto bella pecca sulla grafica e sul comparto tecnico del gioco che per quanto mi riguarda sono molto importanti
  3. zarvx
    Jul 20, 2023
    8
    before the storm is charming but not really memorable. life is strange is still infinitely much better.
  4. geo333
    May 26, 2023
    7
    To be honest I like that the game fills up the gap of the main game, as well as making the other character playable having said that the game fills flat like it was missing something to make it great. Overall, I wanted to know more about Arcadia Bay and in that it deliver.
  5. Gamekritiker
    May 7, 2023
    7
    Okay, Life is strange btS ist ein Nunja... Es ist okay. ICH habe die Zeitreise Fähigkeit von Max vermisst. Zudem fesselte es nicht annähernd so krass,wie der erste Teil Dennoch ein gutes Spiel, aber eher fanservice
  6. matheusfox
    May 5, 2023
    7
    I liked so much this game. Know more about the Chloe story is really interesting. The gameplay with the mechanism to argue with other people is nice. I love all songs that were played. The thing is: I didn't like so much the Episode 3. The First episode is nice, the second is ok, but the third one is the worst. At least the episode is PERFECT. If you haven't played the DLC, please, youI liked so much this game. Know more about the Chloe story is really interesting. The gameplay with the mechanism to argue with other people is nice. I love all songs that were played. The thing is: I didn't like so much the Episode 3. The First episode is nice, the second is ok, but the third one is the worst. At least the episode is PERFECT. If you haven't played the DLC, please, you must play this!… Expand
  7. Ottalaus_saus
    Feb 16, 2023
    10
    This really is a flawless game. Storys awesome, although your choices really dont matter most of the time.

    I really like the music, although I'm a soundcloud-type music type of guy, this stuff I found myself listening to on my free time. Also this game is incredibly sad. Even though you're not an emotional person youll still shed a tear. And it may affect you a lot, just like the main    This really is a flawless game. Storys awesome, although your choices really dont matter most of the time.

    I really like the music, although I'm a soundcloud-type music type of guy, this stuff I found myself listening to on my free time.

    Also this game is incredibly sad. Even though you're not an emotional person youll still shed a tear. And it may affect you a lot, just like the main game, post-LIS depression is no joke.    … Expand
  8. Jhonny_Jhonny
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    Beautiful story. it was worth playing. It's very dramatic, similar to the previous one.
  9. legitreview
    Nov 12, 2022
    5
    I have deeply loved the first Life is Strange but BTS is a really average game. The story is not well written, pacing is bad, gameplay parts are really badly designed... and most of the time it is boring and rarely emotional.

    It is unfortunate as it could have been a way better game. However, as a prologue to LiS, it is a 8 as it shines in the Chloé + Max microcosm and adds a tons of    I have deeply loved the first Life is Strange but BTS is a really average game. The story is not well written, pacing is bad, gameplay parts are really badly designed... and most of the time it is boring and rarely emotional.

    It is unfortunate as it could have been a way better game.

    However, as a prologue to LiS, it is a 8 as it shines in the Chloé + Max microcosm and adds a tons of emotions to he first LiS. As a standalone it is a 5 though.    … Expand
  10. Jackthegamer
    Sep 16, 2022
    5
    A prequel that feels like a fanfic. The main problem in this game is the story
  11. chrisdan23
    Jun 8, 2022
    7
    Before the Storm erzählt die Vorgeschichte zu Life is Strange. Die Geschichte um Chloe und Rachel, deren plötzliches Verschwinden auch Gegenstand der Orginalgeschichte von Life is Strange war, überzeugt abermals mit glaubwürdigen Charakteren und gut geschriebenen Dialogen.

    Da mit dem Wegfall von Max nun aber auch das Gameplay Feature der Zeit Manipulation wegfällt, setzt Dontnod bei    Before the Storm erzählt die Vorgeschichte zu Life is Strange. Die Geschichte um Chloe und Rachel, deren plötzliches Verschwinden auch Gegenstand der Orginalgeschichte von Life is Strange war, überzeugt abermals mit glaubwürdigen Charakteren und gut geschriebenen Dialogen.

    Da mit dem Wegfall von Max nun aber auch das Gameplay Feature der Zeit Manipulation wegfällt, setzt Dontnod bei ihrem Spinoff vor allem auf eine erweiterte Dialogmechanik. So kann sich Chloe in speziellen Dialogoptionen in ihrer Schlagfertigkeit behaupten und der Spieler sich so Vorteile im Storyverlauf erspielen. In Sachen Inszenierung und Präsentation bewegt sich Before the Storm auf dem Niveau des Vorgängers, hat sich also nicht merklich weiter entwickelt, hält aber auch das gute Niveau. Die Geschichte um Chloe und Rachel, die sich durchaus auch als Sozial-, und Charakterstudien lesen lässt, hat ihre starken Momente.

    Durch das Wegfallen der Zeitmanipulationen fehlt Before the Storm allerdings das Spielelement, das Life ist Strange eigentlich so originell und besonders gemacht hat. Dennoch, für Fans des Franchises führt kaum ein Weg an Before the Storm vorbei, will man die Geschichten der Menschen aus Arcadia Bay wirklich zur Gänze nachempfinden und verstehen.    … Expand
  12. CnPx98
    Jun 3, 2022
    9
    Great game. Highly recommend. There is also a remaster now aswell which highly improves the graphics. Although in the remaster a couple times a texture bugged a little but nothing that ruined the experience. I really love the fact in Before the storm we got to find out who Rachel was and what Abbey done when Max was away. It really makes the 1st game better adding more to the story!
  13. AmberAnk2000
    Apr 6, 2022
    8
    I like this game, but what getting more give it what getting is that it doesn't stay canon to what is stated as canon from the first game. This game breaks many moments that got confirm as canon in first game. Doesn't mean that I hate this game. Just don't like how it ruins the canon.
  14. l1lj4
    Apr 6, 2022
    4
    actually kinda bad. didn't really like rachel who was the main character in it, much less entertaining than the life is strange.
  15. SaQ1_Mixr
    Feb 8, 2022
    8
    What i can say more? The game is perfect. I can simply call it the best among all the games nowadays :)
  16. TheGoldenEye23
    Dec 28, 2021
    4
    This game has some of the most awful people and characters i have ever seen. Not many games have made me dislike a protagonist and their main supporting character like this. They don't grow and don't change and in one instant, do something incredibly despicable and tone deaf. The type of thing that should raise immediate red flags for anyone that has played the original Life is Strange.This game has some of the most awful people and characters i have ever seen. Not many games have made me dislike a protagonist and their main supporting character like this. They don't grow and don't change and in one instant, do something incredibly despicable and tone deaf. The type of thing that should raise immediate red flags for anyone that has played the original Life is Strange. Now admittedly, i already disliked Chloe from the first game but this game always either adds fuel to that fire or leaves me feeling indifferent about her.

    The characters have no chemistry together because in my opinion, the voice acting across the board is atrocious. No one is really convincing in what they do and say because of the voice acting. The story in general is uninteresting and i wouldn't say that the choices you make along the way don't matter; rather, i look at it as a "Choose your adventure" style of game where the ending is the same but how you get there should be different. But the thing is, the choices are so binary and so reductive that it doesn't feel like much changes when you do make different choices. Another thing about the story is the fact that, as a prequel, i don't think think it feeds into the main game comfortably.

    As for the music and art design? Unremarkable. It's a very easy platinum on PS4 but that's all it's good for.    … Expand
  17. LaDix
    Dec 28, 2021
    6
    Just not the same as the first one, not a bad game, but just not as good as the first, music, story, chacaters, choices and the "power" is just not as good.
  18. GabFireBR
    Dec 27, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gostei desse jogo tanto quanto do primeiro, achei diferenciado eles elevarem a história da Chloe, mostrando mais de seu passado envolvendo a personagem mais misteriosa da história até então que era a Rachel. Praticamente igual ao primeiro em todos os quesitos, porém com uma história menos impactante, pois no final já sabemos que a Rachel irá morrer de qualquer forma, nada que fizermos poderá salvá-la, isso me deixou bem aflito no jogo, onde nenhuma das escolhas envolvendo a Rachel faziam sentido e nem mesmo envolvendo a Chloe, pois ela no primeiro tem dois destinos, então logicamente não terá nesse jogo que é como se fosse o "Life is Strange 0"!… Expand
  19. DangerDave1409
    Dec 21, 2021
    8
    Amazing second part-ish, but of course not as good as the first part. Really liked this kind of addon, but hoped for more.
  20. spesini
    Oct 3, 2021
    8
    Not as good as LiS 1, but still very good nonetheless. Time rewind ability is missing a little.
  21. maddiplomat
    Sep 11, 2021
    9
    While not as amazing as LiS 1, this game is a must play for fans of the original.
  22. arian_0902
    May 30, 2021
    7
    the most bad life is strange in the world.because its story is a **** because diroctors dont know to how end chloes story.
  23. Rupert_Pupkin
    Apr 17, 2021
    9
    Loved the first game, and loved this one even more. The whole angry at the whole world teenage thing is a super cringey reality of life, but I'm not gonna lie, I found it really fun and entertaining playing as Chloe in this installment.

    As with the first installment I enjoyed basically everything about this game. Was cool learning more about Rachel and her relationship with Chloe. It's no    Loved the first game, and loved this one even more. The whole angry at the whole world teenage thing is a super cringey reality of life, but I'm not gonna lie, I found it really fun and entertaining playing as Chloe in this installment.

    As with the first installment I enjoyed basically everything about this game. Was cool learning more about Rachel and her relationship with Chloe. It's no fault of the game and not any kind of complaint, but I was a bit disappointed it didn't cover the whole story up until where the original 'Life is Strange' began. Definitely hoping there will be an installment in this series one day that covers that missing period.

    My only small complaint is that the ending was a bit of an anti climax, but whatever. I still loved playing through this game.    … Expand
  24. kylocosplay
    Apr 15, 2021
    7
    Ha estado bien, son unas dos horas por capítulo, la historia es buena y se nota que está mejor optimizado que LiS 1. No hay poderes pero hay ciertas características que innovan en el juego como el de ganar peleas de discusiones.
  25. scorp332211
    Apr 3, 2021
    10
    Before the Storm is the best LIS right behind #1 and 10 times better than #2. It’s more interesting playing with Chloe and Rachel than it is with Max (although I still love #1). The story of two rebels in the making is really cool. It shows how Chloe developed before the events of #1. There’s no time bending, but there are lots of choices to make. If you want an emotional story with lotsBefore the Storm is the best LIS right behind #1 and 10 times better than #2. It’s more interesting playing with Chloe and Rachel than it is with Max (although I still love #1). The story of two rebels in the making is really cool. It shows how Chloe developed before the events of #1. There’s no time bending, but there are lots of choices to make. If you want an emotional story with lots of choices this game is for you. It holds up well even 3.5 years later. Also has a great soundtrack like all the LIS games. And the extra episode “Farewell” is a nice finish to the Max and Chloe story. If this is Deck 9’s best than there’s hope for LIS True Colors. Definitely recommend BTS!… Expand
  26. Andeyzv
    Dec 1, 2020
    10
    Amazing plot! awesome game! amazing emotions! beloved! awesome! more projects like this are needed! very soulful!
  27. WolfyGirl2077
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    One of the only games where the story captivated me and the sad times made me cry like i was at a burial u can feel the emotions in the air if this game is redone for Playstation 5 with the 3d sound and feel of the controller im definitely gonna play it all over
  28. Sherbert
    Nov 10, 2020
    3
    Ok, so I played the original, which was painfully average. Come to find out that a prequel was made, starring my least favorite character from LIS. This is my problem with the game, Chloe is insufferable. I hate everything about her personality. This takes a game that was already average and takes away the only semi-good things about it (Max, reverse time, meta ending) and makes it a gayOk, so I played the original, which was painfully average. Come to find out that a prequel was made, starring my least favorite character from LIS. This is my problem with the game, Chloe is insufferable. I hate everything about her personality. This takes a game that was already average and takes away the only semi-good things about it (Max, reverse time, meta ending) and makes it a gay love story. I'm not homophobic or anything, but I didn't care about either of the main characters in the slightest. Wouldn't recommend.… Expand
  29. Skollie
    Oct 31, 2020
    5
    I loved the first game and was expecting the same with this one. I understand that people liked it, but I was left very disappointed. The story was very weak and I found that I had no sympathy for Chloe, she just annoyed me the entire game. Even the way she walks was stupid. I couldn’t wait to finish this game and would only trust a game in this franchise if I know it has the originalI loved the first game and was expecting the same with this one. I understand that people liked it, but I was left very disappointed. The story was very weak and I found that I had no sympathy for Chloe, she just annoyed me the entire game. Even the way she walks was stupid. I couldn’t wait to finish this game and would only trust a game in this franchise if I know it has the original creators behind it.

    To each their own, this is just my opinion.    … Expand
  30. b3nj4m1nb
    Oct 22, 2020
    7
    An experience worth having if you enjoyed the story of the first game but don't expect the same quality and depth in gameplay.

    Before the Storm is a smaller game than it's predecessor but it's still worth playing. It was great to explore the relationship between Chloe and Rachel that is only lightly touched upon in the first game but has such a big impact on it's story. Mechanically,    An experience worth having if you enjoyed the story of the first game but don't expect the same quality and depth in gameplay.

    Before the Storm is a smaller game than it's predecessor but it's still worth playing. It was great to explore the relationship between Chloe and Rachel that is only lightly touched upon in the first game but has such a big impact on it's story.

    Mechanically, the game is much lighter. There's no time traveling here as of course you play as Chloe instead of Max and although they do add a verbal mechanic where you get to argue with people and have a limited time to choose a response, ultimately it falls short compared to the time travel and environmental puzzles of the first game.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Best PS4 Game of 2017
45
#45 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. IGN Japan
    Jun 26, 2018
    87
    Due to the fact that this is a prequel, the storyline and characters of Life is Strange: Before the Storm feel a bit contrived. Nevertheless, despite these inconsistencies, fans of the original Life is Strange will still be moved by Chloe’s adventure.
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  2. GameSpot
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Attack of the Fanboy
    Mar 22, 2018
    80
    Is this game as good as the original Life is Strange? Personally, I don't think so. But it's still great nonetheless and definitely shouldn't be missed by fans of the first game.
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