Life Is Strange: Before the Storm
| Life Is Strange: Before the Storm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Deck Nine[lower-alpha 1] |
| Publisher(s) | Square Enix |
| Director(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | David Hein |
| Writer(s) | Zak Garriss |
| Composer(s) | Daughter |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Graphic adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Life Is Strange: Before the Storm is an upcoming episodic graphic adventure video game developed by Deck Nine and published by Square Enix. The first of three episodes is scheduled to be released on 31 August 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It is set as a prequel to Life Is Strange and will focus on sixteen-year-old Chloe Price.
Gameplay
Life Is Strange: Before the Storm is a graphic adventure played from a third-person view. The player assumes control of sixteen-year-old Chloe Price, three years prior to Life Is Strange. Unlike its predecessor, the game does not include time travel. Instead, Before the Storm features the ability "Backtalk", with which the player can call upon Chloe to get out of certain precarious situations. "Backtalk" may also make a situation worse. A dialogue tree presents itself when a conversation or commentary is prompted. Occasional decisions will change momentary to permanent outcomes. The environment can be interacted with and altered, including marking walls with graffiti.[2][3]
Development
Publisher Square Enix chose Deck Nine to develop the prequel to Life Is Strange after the developer's proprietary StoryForge tools had made an impression.[4] Development started in 2016. Rhianna DeVries, who initially did the game's motion capture for Chloe Price, voices the character, while the original voice actress Ashly Burch serves as writing consultant.[2][5] Burch did not reprise her role due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.[6] The music was written and recorded in 2017 by indie folk band Daughter. It will be released as an official soundtrack by Glassnote Records on 1 September 2017.[7]
Release
Prior to its official announcement, images had leaked online indicating that a prequel to Life Is Strange was in development.[8] Square Enix revealed Life Is Strange: Before the Storm on 11 June during E3 2017, stating that it would be released over three chapters starting on 31 August for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[2] The Deluxe Edition will include the bonus chapter "Farewell"—featuring Max Caulfield of the original game as a playable character—three additional outfits, and Mixtape Mode, allowing players to customise playlists with the game's soundtrack.[3]
| Episode | Release date | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| "Episode 1: Awake"[9] | 31 August 2017 | ||
Awards
Following E3 2017, Life Is Strange: Before the Storm received one of GamesRadar's Best of E3 awards[10] and was nominated for Hardcore Gamer's Adventure Game award.[11]
Notes
References
- ↑ Robertson, John (12 July 2017). "Life is Strange: Before the Storm is Chloe’s game". Red Bull Games.
- 1 2 3 Sarkar, Samit (11 June 2017). "Life is Strange prequel Before the Storm debuts this summer (update)". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017.
- 1 2 Matulef, Jeffrey (13 June 2017). "Life is Strange prequel's Max-based bonus episode is a Deluxe Edition exclusive". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017.
- ↑ Alexander, Jem (July 2017). "Life Will Be Strange". Develop. No. 184. p. 17.
- ↑ Phillips, Tom (19 June 2017). "Life is Strange: Before the Storm dev on Ashly Burch's absence, season pass kerfuffle and more". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017.
- ↑ Phillips, Tom (13 June 2017). "Three-part Life is Strange prequel confirmed". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017.
- ↑ Kress, Bryan (9 August 2017). "Watch London Trio Daughter Create Music for 'Life Is Strange: Before The Storm' Video Game". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017.
- ↑ Schreier, Jason (2 June 2017). "Images Of Apparent Life Is Strange Prequel Pop Up". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on 1 June 2017.
- ↑ Jones, Gary (14 June 2017). "Life is Strange Before the Storm: Chloe and Rachel’s next adventures REVEALED". Daily Express. Northern & Shell. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017.
- ↑ Staff (19 June 2017). "GamesRadar+ E3 awards - our best, most exciting games of E3 2017". GamesRadar. Future plc. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017.
- ↑ Staff (21 June 2017). "Best of E3 2017 – Day Three: Fighter, Adventure, RPG, Shooter, Action". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017.