Life Is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 3: Hell Is Empty Reviews
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.
An honest insight into the tragedy of loss and growth in youth.
The overall story stayed interesting throughout, the characters were complex, the bigger themes were brilliant and it was a generally emotional and expertly executed second trip to Arcadia Bay.
Hell is Empty perfectly pays off what was built up in the first two episodes while also providing a bridge to the original series.
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.
Hell is Empty is a beautiful conclusion to a prequel that exceeded all expectations.
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.
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.
Chloe and Rachel's complicated friendship shines in this finale, making you care about each character and the bond they share in a way you couldn't fully grasp in the original series
Deck Nine has lived up to the expectations and has crafted a perfectly fitting ending to Chloe Price's journey. Although Life is Strange: Before the Storm could have had a couple more chapters, "Hell is Empty" is a more than enjoyable finale to the prequel.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A solid ending to the powerful Life is Strange prequel series, Hell is Empty delivers all the emotional beats that you would expect as Chloe and Rachel's adventures come to a close.
While I'm not sure if Before the Storm will hold the same place in my heart as the original, I'm certainly glad that Deck Nine Games got to tell their own story in Arcadia Bay. It's a very different tale, one on a completely smaller scale both in terms of narrative and length, but one that still manages to make an impact. It's a more personal story, and it wound up being quite bittersweet having to say goodbye to the duo of Chloe and Rachel.
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
The episode itself has its weak points, but it's still a successfully heart-rending finale to one of the great storytelling achievements in gaming.
Three years ago, we were introduced to Chloe as she was a desperate and lost young woman. We were told that Rachel meant a lot to her, but we didn't know the half of it. Before the Storm provides that context and it's immensely successful in the way it tells that story. In my favorite scene from all of Life is Strange, Chloe was willing to don a silly outfit, get on stage, and stammer through Shakespeare to protect her friend. That's about as un-Chloe as it gets. Rachel clearly means the world to her.
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
Some players may well prefer Max and her powers to the more grounded story of Chloe, but the prequel is still a worthwhile journey through Arcadia Bay and an appropriate telling of the events before Max returned to the area.
Deck Nine had a pretty tall task when it came to Life Is Strange: Before the Storm. Creating a prequel that would satiate the series' fans is tough enough, and they've passed with flying colors in that regard. However, it's the way in which Deck Nine has really honed in on the identity of the original series that makes it so special.
The last episode of Life is Strange: Before the Storm is awesome. It resonates in the characters of Chloe and Rachel, building a story on few very strong topics.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Episode 3 of Life is Strange: Before the Storm provides a satisfying conclusion to Chloe Price and Rachel Amber's many emotional dilemmas, tying in neatly to the original series while presenting its own unique twists and turns.