Life is Strange: Before the Storm tells the story of Chloe Price before she met Max, and it plays out across three episodes released back-to-back. The game runs on PS4, Linux, Android and PC. It scores 7.6 out of 10.
Trailer, via outsidexbox.
The Setup
Chloe is a punk, a thief and a loner in Arcadia Bay. She is also carrying a secret about her father’s disappearance that nobody else knows. The game follows her meeting Rachel, a girl who becomes her first real friend in years.
Episode One
The first episode introduces Chloe’s world. Her home life is tense, her parents are distant, and she has spent years alone. Rachel is the one constant, and the episode builds their bond slowly through quiet moments rather than dialogue.
Episode Two
The second episode moves the story forward. Chloe’s father’s disappearance comes to the surface, and the episode turns into a mystery about what happened to him. The stakes rise, and the game asks players to make choices that affect Chloe’s relationships with everyone around her.
Episode Three
The final episode brings the trilogy to a close. It wraps up the mystery of Chloe’s father and sets up the connection to the original Life is Strange series. The ending ties directly into Max’s story, though it leaves some questions open.
Performance Across Platforms
| Platform | Release Order |
|---|---|
| PS4 | First |
| PC | Second |
| Linux | Third |
| Android | Last |
The game performs best on PS4, where the frame rate holds steady even during busy scenes. On PC, Linux and Android, performance dips more often, though none of the versions crash.
Where It Falls Short
The game is shorter than the original Life is Strange. Some players will finish it in under six hours. That brevity means the middle episode feels thinner than the first and third, and the pacing drags in places.
The game is shorter than the original Life is Strange.
What Works
The writing carries the game. Chloe’s voice is distinct, and her relationships feel lived-in rather than constructed. Rachel, Chloe’s mother, and Chloe’s father each get moments that land, even when the plot slows.
Final Score
Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a solid prequel that adds depth to characters players already know. It does not match the original series’ highs, but it earns its place in the franchise.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
