Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 1: Awake Reviews
Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 1: Awake is a bit different from the original, but at the same time the game is no less intense in atmosphere department, which slips a little at the very beginning, but then quickly picks up. If developers gonna keep the same level of production in the next two episodes, then one of the most interesting adventures of this year awaits us.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Deck Nine Games has gracefully hurdled the obstacles in its way, with a rip-roaring episode that pulls back the curtain on Rachel Amber and begins a chain of events that we can't wait to watch unwind. Life Is Strange: Before the Storm recaptures the spirit of the first season, but by framing the story around fan favourite Chloe Price, it has a much more rebellious vibe. And while that means there's still plenty of cringe to work through, Episode 1: Awake pitches the moments that matter perfectly – we can't wait to see what happens next.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode One - Awake is a great start to Deck Nine's mini-prequel series. Despite some hiccups, Before the Storm establishes a compelling cast and endearing game world that is just begging to be explored further.
Although Before The Storm pretty much looks like the first Life is Strange, it has some fresh ideas that we're really excited to explore. The first episode manage promise an exciting story, and we can't wait for the next one.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
Depending on how much you like surprises, familiarity and prior knowledge from Life Is Strange can be either a blessing or a boon, but regardless of this, Chloe's new (old?) adventure looks to be a fascinating storyline to follow into the remaining two episodes.
Before The Storm suits perfectly with its new protagonist Chloe about the way she sees and feels life. The fact that Deck Nine was able to make something completly different but familiar, at the same time, just makes us want to play the rest of its episodes. The one, big problem we were able to find about it, technically, is that despite changing its graphic engine from Unreal to Unity, the game still struggles to be cohesive.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Life is Strange: Before the Storm's first episode is a strong and reassuring start to a prequel series filled with potential.
Overall, episode 1 of Life is Strange: Before the Storm isn't the strongest entry in the saga – but it's far too early to judge. I'm hoping centering the story on Chloe isn't a poor choice on Deck Nine's behalf, there must be a story to tell without meandering around old locations and looking at random objects strewn across the floor. They've established some great roots here, now they must build on them to take gamers on an emotional rollercoaster.
Before the Storm addresses old problems through an old story, and it makes a compelling case to reconsider its divisive protagonist.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a good prequel, very respectful of the source material. Chloe and Rachel are a great couple and the beginning of this new story is quite satisfying.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Like Chrysalis, Awake once again feels like the beginning of something great.
Episode 1 of Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a fun and well-written return to Arcadia Bay with similar complex themes, extensive character development and ‘hella' interesting high-school drama.
If you’ve played the first Life is Strange, Before the Storm is a must-play. Even though it feels little more than a setup, it’s still an intricate setup, with a lingering promise of big emotional reward.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm shows that it understands what pulled people into the nostalgia-fuelled Arcadia Bay, and creates an emotionally-charged intriguing opening chapter to a story that we'll be keeping an eye on.
Although Before the Storm is not developed by Dontnod, it feels exactly like Life is Strange; specially in terms of story-telling. Deck Nine did a great job in picking up all of the great things about LIS and if you are a fan of the original game, you'll feel right at home here.
Review in Persian | Read full review
While you can't accurately judge an episodic game off just the first episode, Life is Strange: Before the Storm is shaping up to be an excellent experience.
Before the Storm – Episode 1: Awake is off to a bumby start but it defintely leaves some potential open for the upcoming episodes. The new Backtalk-Feature doesn't really make any impact on the story so far and also the course of the episode feels to forced but besides that Life is Strange Fans will see some familiar faces and funny side activities.
Review in German | Read full review
The good doesn’t stop there. The new entry into the series wouldn’t be anything without a legitimate sense of place. Luckily, the game’s soundtrack provides that, and so much more.
Overall, Before the Storm starts on a great note with its writing, characters and soundtrack. It took me 4 hours to complete Episode 1, which is a good sign given the fact that some people had a problem with the game only being 3 episodes long. For newcomers, I strongly suggest that you play the original Life is Strange before playing this one as you might not catch the importance and significance of certain characters as quickly as previous players will. I cannot wait for the rest of the episodes to be released and I am definitely interested to see what happens next.
Deck Nine has shown an extraordinary understanding of a delicate formula. For fans, it's a return journey to one of the most vivid, joyous settings in gaming. For them, and for everyone else, it's a brave effort which, at times, surpasses the original.