Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 2: Brave New World

THOUGHTS

Having successfully navigated the tricky terrain of continuing another developer's franchise and getting the fans on board, the remaining two episodes become even more crucial as Deck Nine attempts to stick the landing and create something that truly resonates with fans of the original. The good news here is that they've kept the quality level from the first episode up, establishing some interesting new plot threads while leading characters and interactions from the first down an intriguing and tantalising path. 

While the Rachel Amber and Chloe dynamic remains understandably key to this prequel series working, there is some well executed further insight into Chloe's mindset and personality that exists independently of Rachel in this episode. Others have commented that it's all too easy to feel like a passive observer of Chloe in this prequel series; while this is true to an extent, on the flipside it allows a different kind of roleplaying with an already established character. Playing Chloe is different to playing Max, as it should be.

There's some great sequences here. More trippy visits from the dream raven, choices which feel like they matter (and indeed, do create some fairly different scenarios and shine different lights on characters, while ultimately funneling you in roughly the same direction) and a theatre sequence which is brilliantly executed — simultaneously fitting into this universe perfectly while also feeling like something quite apart from scenarios attempted in the original series.

This is a well plotted game. One hesitates to say written as there's always the spectre of clunky lines that hang over every episode of Life is Strange to date, but the scenario writing and structure is top notch. Deck Nine have created an affecting, absorbing little series that while lacking the heft of the original series by nature is still proving to be far more worthwhile than I'd predicted. 

In saying that, a hell of a lot hinges on the finale. It's easy enough to overlook technical issues and some awkward recasting (referring specifically to Samuel the groundskeeper here - a bizarre change in both voice and character) when the game still has the intangible feel that Life is Strange radiates. It's an intriguing one to review by episode as if the finale falls flat it may retroactively hurt this one. I'm choosing to have faith. 

Plus/Minus

+ It still feels like Life is Strange 

+ Good progression of story threads set up in first episode

+ Play sequence is fantastic, as are a couple of others

+ Music is, again, excellent

+ Well paced

- Some characters feel a bit underused

- A couple of bizarre character changes

- The Damon sequence feels like one too many additions in an already dense few hours

Overall

As a standalone piece of work, this feels like a better executed piece of story and tone than the pilot (which was already a strong debut). In an episodic game so much hinges on what follows, but Deck Nine have given themselves every chance to succeed here. 

And hey, with the voice actor strike over we might even get the original voices in for a little cameo. It'd be a nice way to ease one of the more uncontrollable and unfortunate elements of this series. 

7.5/10

Technical Stuff: Played on a PS4. Copy purchased by myself. One full playthrough and a bit of graffiti hunting, 3-4 hours played.