Life is Strange - Before the Storm

Ill be honest, I was skeptical about the offerings of this knowing that the rewind powers and mystery which were the key winning formula of the first game weren't really going to feature in this.

I really was getting worried at the start of the game when it felt like it was trying too hard to be like the original (obviously this is a prequel), an example being when it had "Firewalk" as the band playing, it felt like they were trying hard to force "Twin peaks" references, another example I picked up on was the Bonny and Clyde number plate. The first LiS game, the developers subtly mentioned references that inspired them, but never really forced them on the player, it was well done.

OK, so enough with the negative, what really won me over was the dialogue. It was really witty in places and had me laughing at times. It didn't suffer as bad in terms of cringe like the first. I really loved that they included that table top d&d game, during the start of the school session, at first I wasn't going to engage in it, but glad I did.

Overall, it was done well, Chloe's character was done really well in my opinion and has won me over to liking her, I didn't even care it was a different voice actor playing the part in the end. Some of the scenes with her in the junk yard were really heart wrenching.

I really didn't want to like this, more so because of the non involvement of the original dev team DontNod and feeling like this was a bit of a cash in by the publishers, but I have to say Deck nine did a decent job and I'm really interested now in what is to follow, however long we have to wait now.

I liked the junk yard scene with Damon and Frank, it had good shock value, I really wasn't expecting Rachael to get stabbed by Damon, the intensity really ramped up quick there, but in other places it was a bit wtf?, I knew the Elliot character was made out to be a bit off, but going all out psycho in the Fathers/DA's office was a bit nuts.

During the closing scenes (in the old burnt out building), I did not offer the bracelet choosing to heed Sera's wish to not tell Rachel the truth in order to not tear the family apart, I honestly thought that whole scene with both Chloe and Sera talking was one of Chloe's out of body experiences (dreams) and that Damon had actually OD'd her and that she dead. Also I presume Frank off'ed Damon defending Chloe in that confrontation and that scene of him at the end pouring his drink on the ground was offering some sort of tribute to a lost friend or something? I cant really be sure, allot was happening there, some of it was a bit odd. The final cut scene after the credits was a bit eerie, I presume that is Rachael's phone ringing while it sits on the desk in the dark room.

I know it gives a bit more backstory on Chloe but you also have to remember, you play the first game as Max who hasn't talked to Chloe in about 5 years so knows nothing of what has gone on here. She has to figure that out by investigating and letting what she discovers influence her decision making over the course of those 5 days.

Did anyone else spot a bug during the D&D session in the hospital, the camera was on Steph, then all of a sudden Mikeys head just appears beside her just looking around, thought it was a bit funny.