LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM (EPISODE THREE, PLUS BONUS “FAREWELL” EPISODE).

If you’re like me, then I’m guessing you couldn’t wait to play the concluding episode of Life is Strange: Before the Storm.

It’s been exactly two months since the release of Episode Two – Brave New World – with Hell is Empty an early Christmas treat. Released on December 19, 2017, don’t let Hell is Empty’s poetic title distract from its otherwise sombre tones.

The stars are contemplative and symbolise Rachel and Chloe’s longing to escape Arcadia Bay.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm should be commended for its artistic approach to such a difficult subject, seeing the events of each episode overlooked through a pair of rusty, oversized binoculars; kind of like those ‘Talking Telescopes’ you’d find on Brighton seafront. Here, the story is separated into selectable segments. What a nifty way to recap.

It appears to be a typical case of ‘daddy-daughter drama’ approached with an endearing sense of adolescent naivety. Once again, it’s not the protagonists story; Chloe is merely the outsider looking in.

For Chloe, Hell is Empty sees the birth of the blue hair, alongside a brief education into car mechanics. Barb the Elf Barbarian makes a brief comeback in the Dungeons and Dragons-esque board game, which is choice-driven just like Life is Strange itself.

“I wanted to see what it would look like blue, so I did it. Looks awesome. One day, I’ll make it all blue.” – Chloe

Regress further in the final Farewell episode, which sees a childhood Chloe Price and OG Maxine Caulfield embark on an imagination-fuelled pirate adventure. History portrays pirates as “rebels of the sea” with players undoubtedly seeing a connection between the two.
A similar connection can be seen with Rachel Amber and her birth mother, Sera Gearhardt, who we are introduced to in Episode Three. Both have self-destructive tendencies with the nagging need to escape.

It’s also not a coincidence that players are lead back to the old barn where Chloe first met Rachel Amber after sneaking into a Firewalk concert at the beginning of Episode One. Coming face-to-face with Sera here, Chloe has to talk her way out of a dicey situation with a drug dealer, and fares well considering her inexperience dealing with adult themes.

Just like in the original Life is Strange series, it comes down to a divine choice.

Arcadia Bay’s iconic lighthouse makes an appearance at the end of Episode Three. It’s symbolic as Chloe and Rachel sit and reflect on the bench next to it, where Max will later decide the fate of Arcadia Bay. This leads nicely into the bonus Farewell episode, which can only be unlocked when purchasing the Deluxe edition of Life is Strange: Before the Storm.

FAREWELL

Farewell feels like the end of an era.

Released on March 6, 2018, it throws back to Max and Chloe before Blackwell Academy and is set a few days before Max departs for Seattle. There are elements of conflicted emotions in Max from the beginning, but for Chloe, it’s more of a coming-of-age story.

Farewell is structured in a unique and creative way, seeing each chapter split up into sections of an old and once-forgotten treasure map, which was uncovered whilst clearing out Chloe’s almost too familiar bedroom.
I love a good clear out, but Chloe’s reluctance to get rid of anything made it obvious that she wouldn’t have an easy ride into adulthood.

Throughout the game, Max and Chloe embark on a faux pirate adventure, documented through a series of Polaroid’s taken by a camera on loan from Chloe’s father, William. Each picture taken is tacked onto the map to mark players’ progress. Polaroids are Max’s forte and provide a nice, personal touch. No achievements are gained from each photo taken, unlike last time.

Farewell isn’t as refined as Before the Storm, with voiceover work occasionally inaudible and fading out towards the end of sentences. A pirate flag loading icon fits the theme and reinforces the idea of Chloe being the “rebel” of Arcadia Bay.
It explores Chloe’s close relationship with her father. Farewell is William’s defining moment. A voice recording from William doting on his daughter, discovered inside the long-concealed treasure that Max and Chloe are searching for, is enough to make anybody green with envy.

The two-hour long episode builds up to William’s death and boy, does it hit you right in the feels. It’s an extremely sad ending, but it was executed perfectly. Players couldn’t have asked for anything more.

GAME COMPLETED 11/03/18

ACHIEVEMENTS 34/34 (100%)

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*All screenshots from personal gameplay.