Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 1: Awake

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As an introductory episode to a three-part series, Awake absolutely nails it. The action that takes place is pretty low-key — don’t run into Before the Storm expecting epic adventure sequences — but it’s a perfect return to Arcadia Bay. It focuses on the characters, and even though everything that happens here seems fairly small in the grand scheme of things, it really feels like something much bigger is looming. Deck Nine had some pretty big shoes to fill in taking over from Dontnod’s fantastic vision, but if this first episode is anything to go by, they’ve done it with flying colours.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a relatable and gripping tale of dealing with loss and emotionally ambiguous friendships.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 1: Awake starts off this season with a bang. It removes one of the most iconic features of the first season and yet still delivers an impactful story thanks to great writing and outstanding performances. Seeing how Chloe and Rachel's relationship has started kept me hooked until the credits started rolling and now I cannot wait to see how it continues to grow.

Hell is empty and all the devils are here. Not only is that an important line to remember going into Before the Storm Episode 2 (seriously, just bare it in mind), its an apt synopsis of the overall chapter. Good things don’t often happen to Chloe, but you’ll struggle to tell them apart from the bad in episode two.

Despite us never meeting her, Rachel Amber played an enormous role in the inaugural season of DONTNOD’s teen thriller Life Is Strange. Very much the princess of Arcadia Bay, the original five episodes cast her as the coolest girl in school, and while protagonist Max Caulfield was only ever able to meet her vicariously in the wake of her mysterious disappearance, it’s clear that she left the largest impression of all on the rebellious Chloe Price. New developer Deck Nine Games has a huge challenge on its hands with prequel Before the Storm, then: it needs to demonstrate exactly what made Amber ...

Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 1 is an incredible first look at the new season, and promises much for the future. Deck Nine is clearly capable of taking over the reins from the excellent DONTNOD, and despite a switch in developer, a change in Chloe's voice actress, and a new perspective for Life is Strange, the series is still unequivocally what fans have come to know and love - just amplified and refined, cranked up to eleven through its protagonists' volatile and exciting relationship.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm shows a lot of promise in its first few hours despite the same weaknesses in its script as the original Life is Strange series. The new talk-back mechanic fits Chloe’s character well, challenging you to roleplay as an angsty teen to get the best results. Everything is pointing towards a heartbreaking story with interesting characters, but the lack of finesse behind how it’s delivered and potential absence of impact from player choice give me some reservations.

Life Is Strange: Before the Storm's Episode 1: Awake focus on themes of depression, loss, and the inability to fit in, which it does an excellent job at presenting throughout this first episode. Sadly, the episode's main focus on Chloe and Rachel's friendship can feel a little forced early on, but inevitably lands on plausible after learning about the mental state of each of the characters.

A rather flawed follow-up to a fantastic first episode. There's plenty here to like, but it loses its momentum due to some weak writing and stiff animation that felt as if the episode was released too early. The relationship between Rachel and Chloe is the most interesting thing in this episode and it makes it easier to stick with it even with the dialogue being sub par in places.

Coming of age stories usually have you liking characters more as the plot progresses, but players will be eager to wrap up Life is Strange: Before the Storm sooner rather than later. The poor pacing, unlikable characters, and plodding interactive elements end this season on a low note.

“I know it sounds like there’s a lot of criticism there but episode one is also earnest and gawky and sweet. [Before The Storm] itself feels teenaged. It’s not realistic and it’s not subtle but it taps into a vein of fiction I’d forgotten existed – one which is imperfect, exploratory and full of liminal charm.”