Life is Strange: Before the Storm – A Farewell Review

To be fair, if I have to judge by everything that happened during the two games and the only 2 important events that didn’t really get screen time, the contents of this episode were very predictable. That, however, does not in any way, make it a bad episode, in fact I rather enjoyed it. If I have to look at it, as an ending to the whole franchise, I feel like it’s very fitting, both event-wise and in terms of naming (the title). I would even go as far as to say, that this is the only episode that managed to move me in some way, even if a little.

“Farewell” is a short bonus episode, towards Before the Storm, I however would say it’s fitting to be a bonus towards the entire franchise. In terms of story, it details the last adventure, Chloe and Max had, before the latter had to move away to Seattle and the former started steering down the delinquent path. Huzzah for finally seeing a different Chloe!

The episode starts off, by the two girls trying to clean up Chloe’s room and throw away some of her stuff, which she doesn’t use anymore. Well, that pretty much doesn’t go as planned, because Chloe refuses to throw anything away, but it does give us some nice insight on the sentimental value of the suggested objects. Here, the player is presented with their first chance to tell Chloe that Max is moving to Seattle, but don’t worry, even if you don’t do it, there is a second chance at the end (I frankly saved the news for then). Chloe finds an old tape of theirs and plays it, in which they mention something about a buried treasure. Can I say, that the map, which was drawn for said adventure, was fricking awesome? And I loved how it was updated gradually by notes and pictures we take along the episode.

Off the two go to find some pirate treasure. Chloe ventures off to get the telescope and we (Max) are tasked with retrieving the amulet, which leads to the treasure, in the attic. First we have to find a way to reach the attic door, then make our way through the “maze” in the attic itself and can I say here, that the inclusion of a mini puzzle was cute. When we finally reach it, we go outside into the yard and unite the two pieces (the amulet and the telescope) in order to pinpoint the treasure’s location. After we dig it up, we move to the living room to see what it is.

I believe, here is quite a fitting moment to say, that this entire episode is filled with memories: in Chloe’s room, the attic, later when we go outside and finally in the Price household at the end. And it only makes more sense that the treasure is a time capsule, buried by the two girls when they were 8, if I remember correctly. The entire thing is just so sentimental. We get the chance to look through the contents and around the living room, while Chloe does her drawing, and here we are presented with the second opportunity to tell her about moving to Seattle. The choice in itself is minor and affects only the message Max leaves Chloe at the ending cutscene. When we are done conversing, Chloe’s mom comes home, bearing the tragic news of her dad’s crash, which led to his death.

The epilogue for this episode includes William’s funeral, Max leaving with her parents and Chloe listening to her last message, upon returning home.

Gameplay-wise, nothing really changes. We have the most core mechanics of the series, which include, walk around, click on things and listen to Max’s remarks over them. The 2 more unique events to do are the mini puzzle in the attic and utilizing the amulet, through the telescope. We also get to take some pictures here and there and we do get choices about them as well. There is neither time-reversing, nor back-talking, but I think it’s cleaner this way, since any of the mechanics wouldn’t make sense to be included and this is a bonus episode, after all. So keeping it simple was the right way to go!

Music was on point, as always, and we do get a few of those opportunities, where we can just sit somewhere, stare at something, music in the background, thoughts rushing through and scenes changing in a dramatic way. I kind of enjoy these moments right off the start, from the original game. They kind of set a form of an anchor to the dynamic flow of the episode and you can just sit and take in the surroundings.

As final words for this entire series, I’m just gonna say, that despite all its negatives I’ve been mentioning in the previous reviews and in the original title as well, ultimately, I did find myself enjoying this game, some episodes more than other, but I feel like it could have been so much more. The way I see it, it’s still a coarse diamond, which had the potential to be polished so well. Surprisingly I enjoyed playing as Chloe more (don’t ask me why, I have no idea, myself), however, I fancy the first game, way more than Before the Storm. If I have to give a score for the entire series (both games and the bonus episode), it would probably amount to around 7/10 total. Truly a bumpy ride, but it has its moments.

The following ‘good’ and ‘bad’ points are for the entire franchise. So let’s end in a more detailed bang!

Have a read of Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3 by clicking on each episode