Life is Strange: Before the Storm

About Life is Strange: Before the Storm

Life is Strange: Before the Storm stands as a standalone prequel to the original hit, dropping players into Blackwell Academy three years prior. Deck Nine developed this narrative adventure for Square Enix, releasing it on August 31, 2017. You can find it on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Linux, Mac, and even mobile devices via Android or iOS. The story shifts focus to Chloe Price, a rebellious teenager dealing with her father's absence and a new rivalry at school. This chapter explores her bond with Rachel Amber before the tragic events of the first game. It is a character-driven drama that prioritizes dialogue and emotional choices over combat or puzzles.

Gameplay

Sessions unfold as you navigate Blackwell Academy, making decisions through a dialogue tree system. You control Chloe by selecting responses to NPCs or choosing actions like graffiti tagging or stealing cigarettes. These moments often trigger quick time events where timing matters. The game breaks into three distinct episodes, each ending on a cliffhanger that drives the narrative forward. Visual novel elements dominate the experience, requiring you to read text boxes and weigh the consequences of your words. Exploration happens in short bursts between conversations as you move from classrooms to the lighthouse or Chloe's bedroom. Your choices alter character relationships and shift the story path, creating unique outcomes for every playthrough without any combat mechanics involved.

What Players Think

Critics and players have mixed but generally positive opinions on this title. IGDB lists a score of 75.9 out of 100 based on 479 ratings from the community. PlayPile data shows specific mood tags where users lean toward nostalgia with four votes, while three people selected cozy and another three chose wholesome. Two additional voters described the vibe as relaxing. The game feels less like a high-stakes thriller and more like an intimate character study. Users appreciate seeing Chloe's early days before she became a hardened outcast. The emotional weight of the story resonates with fans who enjoyed the original, even if the gameplay loop remains simple compared to other adventure titles.

PlayPile's Take

This game is for players who prioritize story over mechanics and want to understand Chloe Price better. The price varies by platform but remains accessible for a single-player experience. There are no significant achievements to chase beyond completion since the narrative focus drives the entire package. It delivers a solid emotional punch in just a few hours of playtime. If you need more than two hours of content or complex systems, look elsewhere. However, if you want a focused drama about friendship and loss, this prequel holds up well on its own merits.

Storyline

Set three years before Max’s return to her hometown of Arcadia Bay in Life Is Strange, the story shows how Chloe and Rachel meet, bond, and grow into a force of nature.