Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 2: Brave New World Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

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  • Summary: Now reunited with her friend Chloe, Max starts to experiment with her power and begins to wonder if it is related to her visions or the weird snow from the day before. But life goes on in Blackwell Academy and a certain viral video has become a major topic of discussion. Meanwhile, what didNow reunited with her friend Chloe, Max starts to experiment with her power and begins to wonder if it is related to her visions or the weird snow from the day before. But life goes on in Blackwell Academy and a certain viral video has become a major topic of discussion. Meanwhile, what did happen to Rachel Amber? Expand

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Life Is Strange: Before The Storm Episode 2 - Launch Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Oct 25, 2017
    92
    An honest insight into the tragedy of loss and growth in youth. I'm torn, because I want so much more of Chloe and Rachel — what a beautiful duo — but I know that all good things must end — some sooner than others. This one, as we all know, will be coming to an end too soon. I'm just not sure I'm emotionally ready for it.
  2. Oct 20, 2017
    80
    Despite another slow start to the episode, a classic suspenseful cliffhanger has us yearning for the conclusion to this emotional and heartfelt prequel.
  3. Oct 25, 2017
    80
    In "Brave New World" we manage to get a real glimpse of the unique and magical relationship that Chloe and Rachel shared. These two characters are fleshed out exceptionally, but the episode faces pacing and directional issues, only saved by the emotionally charged finale.
  4. Oct 22, 2017
    78
    Interactions with other characters can feel unimportant despite context, but many of these choices feel like they will actually hold consequence and are more believable than the first episode. Frustrating fetch quests interrupt what is ultimately an engaging story which leaves me needing to know what’s coming next.
  5. Oct 24, 2017
    60
    Brave New World keeps on telling the events "before the storm" on Arcadia Bay in a puerile way, exceeding in talking about drugs and homosexuality without going deep in the facts. Let's hope for a change in the next, last episode of the series.
  6. Nov 27, 2017
    60
    Everything from the first episode is still here; the writing, the direction, the audio-visual style, the great character development, and, of course, the feels. Unfortunately, it's not the same game, for the simple fact that it doesn't really care about pushing the story forward, which is a shame as the next chapter is actually the very last one.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Apr 9, 2023
    10
    This episode was better than the first one, in my opinion, and the beginning was pure epicness. Loved every bit of it. Unfortunately, there'sThis episode was better than the first one, in my opinion, and the beginning was pure epicness. Loved every bit of it. Unfortunately, there's not much I can add that I didn't already say in the review of the first episode. All I can say is that I am so happy that I'm able to play as Chloe, and I so thank the developers for it! :D Expand
  2. Mar 4, 2020
    9
    A little less great than the first episode but that's usually the case with the middle episode of a trilogy. One really annoying thing of thisA little less great than the first episode but that's usually the case with the middle episode of a trilogy. One really annoying thing of this episode is that the backtalk just didn't make any sense. Everything they explained in the first episode just didn't seem to work in the second one. It's just a lot of guess work now and just hoping you've picked the response that gets you to a success. that seriously sucks. I hope they fix that in the final episode.

    Story-wise it's also really the middle one of a trilogy.. Stuff from the first episode gets built upon and seeds are planted for the final episode. the relationship between Rachel and Cloe is getting stronger and that's cool.

    I can't wait for the final episode but another part of me is sad that it's gonna be over after that.
    I would love to experience more with these two. the chemistry between them is so genuine.
    Also, not as much humor and jokes this time.
    Still a great episode though (if you don't count the backtalk frustrations) and I enjoyed playing it.
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  3. Dec 24, 2017
    8
    Though a little lengthy, Brave New World succeeds in progressing Before the Storm's story and characters in a way that manages toThough a little lengthy, Brave New World succeeds in progressing Before the Storm's story and characters in a way that manages to simultaneously pay tribute to the first game, while also expanding upon it's own ideas and thus freeing itself to truly come into it's own light. Juxtaposing the innocence and youthful naivety of it's adorable protagonists, with their ever darkening horizons, catalyses intimate and memorable development, in a series that continues to tug at the heartstrings with every successive episode. Expand
  4. Rem
    Sep 25, 2018
    7
    A continuation from Awake, A Brave New World examines the effect of individuals with a profound effect in a specific point in your life.A continuation from Awake, A Brave New World examines the effect of individuals with a profound effect in a specific point in your life. Returning as Chloe once more, players are left in her world absent of her best friend and father. This episode in particular hits high notes reminiscent in the first game, but moments in between don’t stack up as well and lead to an overall “filler” like episode.

    In the fallout of Awake’s conclusion, players are thrust into Chloe and Rachel’s second day as the mystery of the latter’s father continues. To be frank, the events in this episode come to an extremely slow start and nothing particularly of interest happens until almost an hour in. Even then, the story developments that do occur are pretty interesting for the most part especially towards the end. However, the high notes don’t feel as impactful because of the lack of time for these characters to develop or bond together in a believable way. In a span of barely two days, the main leads hatch up a plan that feels far too reckless despite the story’s reasoning behind it. The dynamic between Rachel and Chloe feels somewhat better in this episode especially in the more memorable scenes which serve as the only reason to power through this episode. By no means does it feel like a slog, but many situations Chloe finds herself in lacks as much impact this time around because no stakes have been risen. At most, the themes of love and loss are still present with a poignancy uncommon in gaming, but getting to those moments feels by the book by comparison. The final twist in the end caught me off guard, but its buildup is somewhat unwarranted considering the side characters still aren’t that much interesting. Your choices from the first episode bears fruit in consequences in Brave New World in subtle but noticeable ways, adding a hint of replay value.

    On its technical side, Brave New World isn’t much different from the previous entry. The lack of detail is still jarring and the use of colors gets the job done without doing anything exceptional. The music still carries a solid quality with the accompanying soundtrack setting the mood in a number of scenes. Brave New World’s cinematography surpasses my expectations with scenes framed expertly and grabbed my attention without feeling ingratiating.

    Brave New World still possesses many of the same qualities that the first episode, and to an extent the first season, did that made it so engrossing. It’s not anything that will stick in your mind for a long time, but the 2 or so hours you spend on this episode serves as a solid bridge for a potentially satisfying final act.
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  5. Oct 21, 2017
    1
    Comparing this to EP1 this is a HELLA boring bad fanfiction, cutscenes are boring nearly empty, uninteresting,most of the soundtrack was notComparing this to EP1 this is a HELLA boring bad fanfiction, cutscenes are boring nearly empty, uninteresting,most of the soundtrack was not really fit for them useless,bad dialogs from chloe,(drew this, drew that, mikey this,mikey that,) the voice acting is bad, its strange because episode1 voice acting,dialogs,soundtracks was great in episode1. In this episode chloe was more similar to Max Caulfield in both action,personalitie, and voice acting, than real chloe was.
    NPCS(school teens) are boring, and uninteresting, Especially eliot and samantha both of it just irritating, one is always want to climb me, and the other one is a superhero saveer wanna be girl The Tempest was bad, all i could say WHEN ITS gonna be END!?. The game need to focus more Chloe and rachel story just two of them together on a trip and adventures like the first episode was! Episode 2 was boring and dissapointment! There is no plot twist at all, no more shocking endings at aleast we got RAVEN our side, i like the nightmares, and the RAVEN!
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