Life Is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 3: Hell Is Empty Reviews
Episode 3, “Hell is Empty,” offers a heart-wrenching yet satisfying conclusion to Before the Storm that makes players immediately want to return to the original Life is Strange.
All in all, I feel like Chloe and Rachel’s story has already been cemented in history. That all we’re actually playing is a story that has already been set in stone. Although, Life is Strange: Before the Storm had its great moments, I could never truly say that the moments were something I had an influence on. The title for this episode definitely describes what I felt after playing the game: Empty. The only silver lining to this game is that it just made me want to dive back in into the world of Max Caulfield which was really the masterpiece that it was.
Hell is Empty is a beautiful conclusion to a prequel that exceeded all expectations.
This chapter brought us some new types of gameplay. However, the story just didn’t bring the punch that we were hoping for and that had been built up throughout the other two episodes.
Before the Storm finishes with a thrilling and emotional episode. Hell Is Empty is where most of your decisions throughout the game reach a conclusion. However, the ending is rushed and the game forgets its other characters.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Maintaining the momentum of the previous episode’s scintillating cliffhanger, Life is Strange: Before the Storm‘s “season finale” brings Chloe and Rachel’s adventure to an understated crescendo in mostly satisfying – if occasionally detached – fashion.
The conclusion to Hell Is Empty didn't give me my runaway future, but the prequel nature of Life Is Strange: Before The Storm made that an impossible dream. Instead, another story shoves it aside, trying to find the difference between what is right for someone and what is good for them, but there isn't enough time in this episode to deliver this message and round out everything else. This pace leaves it rushed and somewhat tunnel-visioned. That said, characters I cared about and real, hard choices which often don't feel truly right or wrong kept my gut firmly wrenched throughout. Light puzzles break up the talking and drama but again serve to remind us that "correct” isn't necessarily “right.” Instead, there's a strong single theme that's delivered well in a story that isn't afraid to get in a few punches.
Certainly not a calm before the storm, but while it's full of wonderful characters this final chapter feels unsatisfactory.
Hell Is Empty - not exactly what we wanted to see as the final of the Life Is Strange prequel. Nevertheless, the mini-season as a whole turned out to be an interesting. Fans of LiS and other episodic adventures should try this game.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Hell is Empty doesn’t do anything special, so if you’re looking forward to see what unique stuff Before the Storm‘s conclusion does to separate itself from the rest of the story, it’s the fact that the game gets a whole lot heavier.
Life Is Strange: Before The Storm tells a chaotic story of two very broken people and make you fall in love with them. Rachel Amber finds out what she's missing out of life when Chloe Price deals with her own loses. Despite the characters being deeply flawed, Life Is Strange: Before The Storm finds the beauty in a messed up world.
Before the Storm shouldn't have been done. It doesn't add anything to the original work from DONTNOD, to the point where sometimes it seems just another game with the same characters, and a much less inspired soundtrack.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It may lack the mechanical variety and elegant sophistication of say, What Remains Of Edith Finch, but despite that, Before The Storm still manages to be one of the finest gaming experiences in undoubtedly one of the medium’s best years.
If you want a good story and don't mind if it's a tad on the predictable side, you'll enjoy Life is Strange: Before the Storm. However, if you want some twists and turns, with crazy reveals, this won't make you happy.
Life is Strange’s short prequel season comes to a close in a gripping and emotional finale that represents some of the series’ best writing yet
By improving upon the issues of the last two episodes while continuing their successes, the conclusive episode to Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a near-flawless end to the impactful, heartfelt prequel.
Before the Storm's finale shares some of the issues the first season's finale had. However, just like the first season, it's more than the sum of its parts.
Before the Storm have a great story that is filled with twists along with unexpected and exciting events even though I played life is strange and I know what's going to happen in the near future, before the storm delivered the surprising element very well. Episode three Hell is Empty however, leaves you with a wide open ending and more unanswered questions. Also, cut sense and dialogues don't really change that much with Chole decisions and in general is I wished Deck Nine used Backtalk in important conversations and with main characters rather than a pudding fight.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Hell is Empty was somewhat empty in terms of dropping certain points though it still concludes in a satisfying way.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm reminds us what it's like to grow up as a teenager, and the mixture of joy and vexation that comes with finding out which path is worth taking.