A worthy continuation of the beloved franchise
Before the Storm is one of the most emotional experiences I have ever had. Developed by the very same studio, True Colors walks away from the political and social statement that was Life is Strange 2 but builds on the unshakable bond that links two siblings. It is unmistakably a Life is Strange game, that does not innovate, does not bring anything new, but puts you through an emotional journey with characters that you will feel connected to. All the main episodes of the franchise present a new supernatural power. We had time travel, telekinesis and now you have extreme empathy. Alex, our new protagonist may not save the world with their power, but she can make the life of her friends more bearable. This fits the setting, the small-town Haven Springs hidden in the mountains of Colorado, where the troubles of the world seem a faded echo. Although it is idyllic and friendly and heart-warmingly welcoming, you cannot feel that something is amiss. But you try to put this feeling on the account of Alex’s past experiences and believe that for the first time in her life, she might have found a well-deserved break. She is reunited with her brother, surrounded by warm people who seem to have potential to become friends, in a place that seems to be the home she never had. After going through the hell of foster care, our hero though still struggling with her past traumas and understanding her powers, finds the power to try to fit in Haven Springs. The designers did an excellent job making Alex’s perspective our own and making discovering the small town a really pleasant experience. All the small details make the place come alive, even though the size of the game world is not very generous, even compared to previous games.
