What is the point of a prequel if not to teach us something new about a character or the fictional world we have come to know? In Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Chloe is still the same Chloe. Yes, we see the immediate ramifications of losing Max as a best friend and an expanded view into the trauma of losing her father, but she is never given a major avenue to truly shine. Because of that the game lacks a clear purpose. More Life is Strange is always fun and this game is certainly entertaining and filled with most of the charm you come to expect from the series, but it just feels hollow. Reexploring the halls of Blackwell doesn't feel the same. It feels emptier.
[h2]Story[/h2]
This story picks up a few years before the events of Life is Strange, following the blossoming relationship between Chloe and Rachel. This relationship is strongly alluded to in the first game as Chloe is the one frantically putting up missing persons posters throughout the city. It is a natural and worthy focus for a prequel, but it doesn't entirely stick its landing.
I don't find Chloe to be all that more interesting here. She has already formed into the character she becomes in Life is Strange at this point. She is still snarky, combative, and a catalyst for trouble. I appreciate that she is given the main role and thus has a chance to be a hero, a role she was never able to inhabit in the original game. She saves a school play and provides tender emotional support for Rachel. But none of this feels particularly new. She largely remains broken and aimlessly drifting, which makes her very susceptible to any form of companionship, which manifests itself in the introduction of Rachel.
[h2]Chloe and Rachel[/h2]
Seeing the relationship between Chloe and Rachel actually play out was exciting and insightful, exactly what you want from a prequel. Since Max left, Chloe had been spiraling, getting herself into trouble and clearly reeling from abandonment. Popular girl and fellow punk rocker Rachel Amber meets Chloe at an underground punk show, saving her from getting beaten up. The two instantly click and an unlikely sisterhood begins.
The two have a fascinating dynamic as polar opposites in most regards. Rachel is rich, Chloe is not. Rachel is well liked with good grades, Chloe is a loner who was kicked out of school. They connect in more intangible ways, particularly through their relationships with their respective fathers. Chloe, who lost her father at a young age, offers a unique perspective into Rachel's own issues with hers. Rachel begins rebelling against her father, who she views as distant and unsupportive, and upon discovering him kissing another woman sets her down a path of rage and rebellion. Chloe, a misfit in her own right, guides her through the process. The narrative says something interesting about class and the permissiveness of bad behavior. Rachel, whose father is a district attorney, is erratic and ready for change without fearing the consequences. Chloe can't fall back on family influence in the same way, so her risks are always more calculated.
What I didn't like was how one dimensional they made Rachel. In many ways she feels like a manic pixie dream girl crafted specifically for Chloe. Her decisions seem immature and contrived at times and her completely free spirited attitude feels disingenuous. It almost feels like the writers had an idea for Chloe's arc and built Rachel around it. Because of this I was never fully bought into their relationship.
[h2]Mystery and Supporting Cast[/h2]
[spoiler]The mystery at the center of the story is not particularly compelling. It mostly centers around Rachel's angst upon discovering that her biological mother had been hidden from her her entire life. You spend the majority of the game attempting to reunite the two, but outside forces seem determined to prevent it.[/spoiler]
The narrative incorporates familiar faces like Frank, Nathan, and Victoria. Nathan comes across as much more timid here and seeing a different side of him, particularly the verbal abuse he receives from his father, is a welcome addition to his character. Frank gets multiple chances to shine. The rest of the returning characters are carbon copies of their original selves, if not more insufferable in the case of Victoria.
Most new characters were welcome additions. Drew and Mikey North as well as Steph are solid inclusions. Drew, whose father is homeless, has a lot on his plate taking care of his brother. His frustration is visible throughout but he is good natured at heart. Steph and Mikey provide some of the game's more lighthearted moments, which were always a joy. Other characters central to the story such as Damon, James Amber, and biological mother Sera were largely uninteresting in my opinion.
[h2]The Vibe[/h2]
The most important thing this game misses on is the vibe. Whether it's because it was shorter, steered away from Blackwell, or focused too much on aspects of Arcadia Bay I didn't care about, it just didn't feel as memorable as the original. Everything from the music to the general feeling in the air felt slightly off. I think a lot of that comes down to the simple fact that we aren't seeing Arcadia Bay through Max's lens. Max Caulfield does not define Life is Strange as a whole, but she does define Arcadia Bay, and her absence in this prequel, while necessary for the narrative, is strongly felt. It is a breath of fresh air when she returns in the bonus episode, providing one of the most heartbreaking monologues in the entire series.
[h2]Final Thoughts[/h2]
I am easily pleased as a gamer and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this game. The flow of a Life is Strange experience will always draw me in. But I don't think this game fully justifies its existence. The main story is mostly forgettable and while I love that Chloe gets a chance to shine, the central relationship feels heavily forced. I appreciate how the game forces Chloe to confront her fears of abandonment, particularly around Max, but that alone doesn't save it from its central problem.
[b]5/10[/b]
