Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered
" Emotional action-adventure with deep narrative and character growth but marred by technical issues "
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered Review
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered serves as a prequel to the original Life is Strange, focusing on Chloe Price’s coming-of-age story without supernatural powers. Players experience a deeply emotional narrative exploring themes of friendship, trauma, and adolescence, particularly through Chloe’s bond with Rachel. The game is praised for its captivating storytelling and character development, evoking strong emotional responses. However, the remaster suffers from technical issues such as broken subtitles, voice lines, lip sync, and occasional choppiness, which detract from the experience. While the game’s soundtrack and the "backtalk" mechanic add to its unique charm, some players found the dialogue and writing less compelling compared to the original. Overall, it’s recommended for fans of the series who appreciate narrative-driven games, though newcomers might find it less impactful without prior knowledge of Life is Strange.
Highlights
Players highly praise the emotional depth and storytelling, especially the nuanced portrayal of Chloe and Rachel’s relationship. The game’s soundtrack complements its mood, enhancing key moments. The "backtalk" mechanic adds a fresh dynamic to gameplay, showcasing Chloe’s rebellious personality. Visuals and character development receive positive notes, with many appreciating the insight into Arcadia Bay’s backstory. The remaster retains the original’s charm and emotional impact, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven adventure games.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on technical flaws in the remaster, including broken subtitles, missing or cut dialogue, lip sync errors, and occasional performance issues. Some players found the writing and dialogue unrealistic or less engaging than the original Life is Strange. The absence of supernatural powers in gameplay led to mixed feelings, with some considering the story less exciting. Additionally, a few users mentioned pacing issues and a feeling of fan-service rather than a standalone compelling narrative. These issues combined to lessen immersion for some players.
Pros
- • Deeply emotional and touching narrative centered on Chloe and Rachel’s friendship.
- • Strong character development and exploration of adolescent themes.
- • Excellent soundtrack that enhances the game’s atmosphere and emotional impact.
- • Backtalk mechanic adds engaging gameplay variety and character expression.
- • Provides valuable backstory enriching the Life is Strange universe.
- • Captures the mood of Arcadia Bay through Chloe’s cynical perspective.
- • Narrative-driven gameplay with impactful choices and consequences.
Cons
- • Technical issues including broken subtitles and voice lines disrupt immersion.
- • Lip sync errors and choppy performance reported in the remaster.
- • Dialogue and writing sometimes feel unrealistic or poorly executed.
- • Lacks the supernatural powers that defined previous Life is Strange games.
- • Some players find the story pacing slow or overly dramatic.
- • Certain plot points and character behaviors felt inconsistent or forced.
- • Remaster’s bugs prevent some achievements from being unlocked.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered released?
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered was released on February 1, 2022.
Who developed Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered?
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered was developed by Deck Nine.
Is Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered available on Mac?
No, Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered is not currently available on Mac according to our data.
Is Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered available on Linux?
No, Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered is not currently available on Linux according to our data.
Where can I buy Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered?
You can buy Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered on Steam.
Game Details
Life is Strange: Before the Storm returns with remastered visuals across characters & environments.