Life is Strange: Before the Storm

 Xbox One
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. Worth Playing
    Jul 31, 2018
    89
    In spite of its faults, Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a fantastic follow-up to an already great game. It improves upon the formula of the original title while offering a fascinating look into two of the series' most captivating characters. Beautiful, charming, and devastating, Before the Storm is a must-play for fans of the series and a phenomenal way to tide players over until the release of Life is Strange 2.
  2. Game Informer
    Mar 7, 2018
    83
    Before the Storm made me care about Chloe and Rachel, giving me backstory into both of their lives before Max comes back. The journey is bittersweet, knowing the tragic events from the first game for both characters. As a prequel, Before the Storm succeeds because it tells its own story that leaves you content, while also connecting to the original game in a meaningful way. Deck Nine may not have a hand in the original, but it made sure to do Chloe and Rachel’s story justice, capturing the essence of Life is Strange while providing plenty of nods to fans.
  3. 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.
  5. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Feb 26, 2018
    80
    A wonderfully emotional return, but struggles with some poorly written characters. [March 2018, p.76]
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  6. games(TM)
    Feb 22, 2018
    80
    A killer prequel that almost tops the original. [Issue#197, p.73]
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  7. AusGamers
    Jan 10, 2018
    80
    An experience filled with interesting characters, great writing, and genuine love for the source material and themes.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 156
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 156
  3. Negative: 18 out of 156
  1. BananaLuiz
    Aug 31, 2017
    10
    Incredible and magical as it should be, charismatic characters, interesting and varied, a wonderful soundtrack and an impressive artIncredible and magical as it should be, charismatic characters, interesting and varied, a wonderful soundtrack and an impressive art direction, the game touches on delicate and controversial subjects with a lot of respect and makes the experience very immersive and magical, looking forward to the next episode… Full Review »
  2. Sergius0202
    Aug 31, 2017
    10
    Its hella awesome!!! Level of first Life is Strange was very high, and authors had a great responsibility for prequel. Young 16 Chloe isIts hella awesome!!! Level of first Life is Strange was very high, and authors had a great responsibility for prequel. Young 16 Chloe is rather different from 19 Chloe from LiS. Feelings, emotions...are so real! Meeting of Chloe and Rachel, her meltdowns because of missing her Dad and Max. Its ..awesome.… Full Review »
  3. SuperkenGaming
    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    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    … Full Review »
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