Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 2: Brave New World Reviews
With only one episode left, Brave New World has sucked us in and left us salivating for the final episode.
The only thing Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2 confirms is that in the advent of the new generations, the only things that (should) matter are me, myself, and I. Do whatever feels right and screw everyone else. Such a lovely, all-inclusive and accepting message to impart to the youth. This message is most certainly not for an "old fart" like moi.
Episode 2 really aims to build on the story set out in the first episode. There’s not as much gameplay as in previous episodes, this does bring you back to the reality that this is, in essence, a visual novel but also allows the story to be developed in a fitting manner.
Everything from the first episode is still here; the writing, the direction, the audio-visual style, the great character development, and, of course, the feels. Unfortunately, it's not the same game, for the simple fact that it doesn't really care about pushing the story forward, which is a shame as the next chapter is actually the very last one.
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.
Brave New World wastes what precious little time Before the Storm has on filler, holding back meaningful developments until the very end.
Brave New World keeps on telling the events "before the storm" on Arcadia Bay in a puerile way, exceeding in talking about drugs and homosexuality without going deep in the facts. Let's hope for a change in the next, last episode of the series.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sadly, the second episode of Life is Strange: Before the Storm does not raise the bar in terms of quality. The developer can't keep up with the original game. It's a real shame, because despite all of the flaws, there are some elements players loved the predecessor for.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 2: Brave New World, has certainly picked up the season for me, and elevating it on par with the original season. I must now patiently wait for the next episode!
Even though the second episode is mostly focused on its characters rather than incidents, it is a compelling lead-in to the impending finale all the same.
As it’s own story, it works well and does really showcase a great range of emotions in a developing and presumably pivotal relationship. But none of it matters. We know how it ends. With one episode to go, a series that prides itself on the ability to manipulate time is somehow running out.
Where Awake did a great job reacquainting Life is Strange players to the harsh reality in Arcadia Bay, Brave New World does as great a job making us care for Chloe again while also giving people another look at characters that seemed like different people in the original game.
The standard of this second episode feels like a traditional Act Two. It’s not quite as good as the first, and is hopefully sitting here just to bridge the gap that is leading to an exciting final third.
Episode two Brave New World shows a quite recovery and an amazing potential from last episode. The story holds a number of absolutely breathtaking events and moments. I'm hyped to see what's going to happen in next episode!
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Life Is Strange: Before The Storm — Episode 2: Brave New World is a compelling emotional mosaic that's definitely worth seeking out.
With this second chapter Life is Strange : Before the Storm keeps on delivering an interesting story about Chloe and her relationship with Rachel, through a quite bumpy. There's violence, fear, passion, tough decisions... and still some lovely characters and some great music.
Review in French | Read full review
Brave New World doesn't give Chloe and Rachel quite enough screen time to shine as brightly as Before the Storm's first episode, but there are plenty of top-notch moments in this instalment, and the cliffhanger has us eagerly awaiting our next fix of Life Is Strange.
Chloe Price's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day goes to some fascinating places in this middle chapter.
Overall, while Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a great game; it feels that it falls short to its predecessor. But nonetheless, it's still a great game on its own and if you want a game that makes you feel as if you're playing one of those teenage drama shows that you see on television, then buy it and enjoy going through the life in Arcadia bay once more.
Episode 2 does a great job with its storytelling and powerful emotional scenes but Before The Strom yet lacks an intriguing gameplay and unfortunately outside of Chloe-Rachel relationship, everything seems dull and shallow.
Review in Persian | Read full review