Square Enix has announced the release of Life is Strange: Before the Storm for PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One this summer.
The episodic teen drama is a direct prequel to the events of 2015’s critically acclaimed Life is Strange from Dontnod Entertainment, and focuses on the exploits of Chloe Price, one of the central characters of the original game, and her best friend Rachel Amber. Max Caulfield, the protagonist of the first Life is Strange, will feature in a bonus chapter called “Farewell,” available as part of the Deluxe Edition of the game.
As previously reported, Life is Strange: Before the Storm is being developed by Deck Nine Games, while Dontnod is working on a brand new chapter in the franchise. Square Enix also confirmed that Ashly Burch, the voice actress behind Chloe in the original game, will not be reprising her role for Before the Storm; instead, the younger version of her character will be played by Rhianna DeVries. However, Burch has joined the writing team to help bring to life Chloe’s adventure from behind the scenes.
Unlike Life is Strange, the prequel will not make use of the time rewind mechanic that formed a central part of the original’s gameplay. Instead, players will utilise a new feature known as Backtalk, which is described as a “risk/reward conversation mode that allows Chloe to use her barbed tongue to provoke or get her way.” The Deluxe Edition version of Before the Storm will also feature a Mixtape Mode allowing gamers to cobble together their own playlists from the game’s soundtrack.
The original Life is Strange was released in five episodes throughout 2015, and focused on Max as she arrived in Arcadia Bay to join the local college as a photography student. The time rewind mechanic comes into play during the game’s many choices, allowing players to go back on their choices to allow for multiple outcomes to help shape the emotionally-driven narrative.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm episode one will launch on August 31, 2017 for PS4, PC, and Xbox One. Watch the trailer from Microsoft’s E3 press conference below.