Life Is Strange Farewell Making You Buy Deluxe Edition Again
Life Is Strange Before The Storm Farewell review - A masterclass in video game storytelling
This makes it sound like it's an additional extra for Life Is Strange fans.
And, on one hand - it literally is, as it's an episode only available to those who ordered the 'deluxe' edition of Before the Storm.
But on the other hand, this is absolutely an essential experience for fans of the series and one of the best Life Is Strange episodes ever.
While Before the Storm focused on Chloe's and Rachel's intense relationship, Farewell revisits the original game's pairing.
Players once again step into the shoes of Max Caulfield with events playing out years before the events of the first season.
It starts with the two BFFs are hanging out in an empty house as Max grapples with the emotional impact of an impending move away from Arcadia Bay.
What follows is a moving, funny and heart-string pulling look at Chloe and Max's relationship at a pivotal moment in their lives.
Farewell pairs back the Life Is Strange experience and focuses on the dialogue and dynamic between Chloe and Max.
Gone are all the bells and whistles that the series is known for.
There's no time travelling 'rewind' feature like in the original game, nor is there the 'backtalk' option of Before The Storm.
It instead has an insular view, focusing on the relationship between Chloe and Max - and it's all the better for it.
Farewell only clocks in at around the two hour mark, but because it's so centred on this one relationship it's easy to get completely lost in it.
And, unlike other episodes, there is no jilted dialogue or awkward character movements.
Everything about Farewell is refined and polished - helping you get completely engrossed in what's unfolding.
It captures perfectly that feeling of being a pre-teen and going round to a friend's house.
That sense of mystery, excitement and time standing still while you use your imagination to create your own fun and adventures is all there.
Life Is Strange Before The Storm Farewell sees Chloe and Max return
For fans of the series, the events of Farewell all help to enhance and enrich our knowledge of Chloe and Max.
Throughout the episode there are plenty of moments that give a deeper understanding to their relationship and what draws them together.
Whether it's flicking through an ingenious school project they worked together on, or learning more about their childhood together.
It all helps to paint a deep and rich picture of the dynamic between Max and Chloe.
Farewell is, like with the rest of Before The Storm, developed by Deck Nine Games who took over from original series developer DONTNOD Entertainment.
But while they could shape how fans saw Chloe and Rachel, there's already a preconceived idea among fans about the relationship between Chloe and Max.
Going into this episode and trying to make the dynamic between the pair fit in with the feel of the original game must have been hugely challenging.
But, like with Before The Storm, Deck Nine Games have hit it out the park.
Everything about the way Chloe and Max interact with one another feels just right.
And it's a nice touch having original actors Hannah Telle and Ashly Burch return to voice these much-loved characters one final time.
Life Is Strange Before The Storm Farewell is all that's great about LiS in one episode
It all builds to a conclusion that is essential to the story DONTNOD and Deck Nine Games have shaped across two seasons.
It paints these characters in a new light and may lead you to look back on the original game's finale differently.
What Deck Nine Games have managed to do with Before The Storm is hugely impressive.
They have not only created a story that stands on it's own, but also enriches and enhances the original it's based on.
That is what all prequels set out to, but precious few manage to achieve.
Not only that, but with Farewell Deck Nine have managed to distill everything that makes Life Is Strange special into one tight package.
Life Is Strange Before The Storm Farewell is the perfect way to end Max and Chloe's story
If you ever wanted to introduce someone to the world of Arcadia Bay, then this is a great place to start.
The brilliant storytelling as well as beautiful and heartbreaking moments the series is known for is all here in Farewell.
Anyone who has never picked up a Life Is Strange episode can play through Farewell and get plenty out of it.
But, having said that, it feels that the best way to experience LiS is to play it just as the release schedule has dictated with Farewell at the end.
It's the perfect note to end Max and Chloe's story on, and is a stunning piece of video game storytelling.
VERDICT: 5/5
Express.co.uk has been reviewing Life Is Strange Before The Storm episode-by-episode.
If you want to catch up on our past reviews you can find them below:
• Life Is Strange Before The Storm review Episode 1 - Another cult classic in the making
• Life Is Strange Before The Storm review Episode 2 - Beautiful, bittersweet, brilliant
• Life Is Strange Before The Storm review Episode 3 - A memorable farewell to Arcadia Bay
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Source: https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/940756/Life-Is-Strange-Before-The-Storm-Farewell-review-PS4-Xbox-One