Not to say this isn't a good game on it's own, but it's most-assuredly best taken after having played the first game in the Life is Strange series. In Before the Storm, which takes place a few years prior to the original, you play as Chloe, who was a rather important but still background character in the first, and this tells a portion of what she went through during Max's absence. Comparatively, the game looks much better fidelity-wise, and the soundtrack is actually MORE amazing than the original which, to be honest I didn't think was possible. DAUGHTER's Elena Tonra did the entire thing with both original and licensed scores, and I listen to it on a daily basis to this day. The story, however, suffers a bit, and at times feels like they were inventing drama to make bits more interesting, and there's a certain 'rushed' sensation overall. HOWEVER, this does not detract from the game too much, in my humble opinion, because everything else about it is superb. The voice acting starts rough, due to a completely new cast ( the VA strikes were going on at the time ), but it's a mild complaint, especially in the face of Rhianna Devries as Chloe and Kylie Brown as Rachel who both give such amazing performances you'll forget all about cast-changes very fast. The overall gameplay is different than the first given the lack of any actual power. Chloe doesn't rewind time, but instead snaps back with sarcastic wit, and some of the dialogue options and conversations will have you laughing your backside off. Supernatural elements still persist, but almost as a beckoning finger to pull you in, and you'll quickly find yourself drawn in just as hard as with the first game. On it's own, I think it's a stable-enough experience, and I'd probably still give it a four out of five stars, but taken in as a whole, with the first game? It's an unforgettable experience. ESPECIALLY if you get the bonus 'Farewell' episode. It will have you in tears, guaranteed.
I've played plenty of games that were more entertaining gameplay-wise, and I've played plenty of games that were more graphically impressive, but I have NEVER played a game that has emotionally gutted me and simultaneously reshaped my preferences in games until this one. I played this on a whim when Steam was offering the first episode for free. I couldn't get to sleep, had a few hours to burn, thought 'what the hell'. Five minutes into this game I was hooked and KNEW that playing it would be an experience unlike anything else. I immediately bought the rest of the episodes and played them in one full swoop and, I'm not ashamed to say, was simultaneously smitten and devastated by this tale. This is the first game to make me cry, and I have been gaming since the Colecovision days. In fact all these years later after having played it, if I so-much as hear one of the songs from the stellar soundtrack or see a fanart of one of the locales around the Twin Peaks-inspired Arcadia Bay, I'll get a lump in my throat. I have no idea why, I couldn't even begin to guess about what this game sticks with me so hard...but I'm somewhat tempered to know that I'm not alone. It's a phenomenon so prevalent that they have named it Post Life is Strange Depression ( PLiSD for short ), and communities dedicated to the game have become something of a support system to help those who play it. I recommend a lot of games. I'm a huge fan of isometric ARPGs, I love MMOs and massively-scaled adventure games like Skyrim, but I will recommend this game over every other game every time. It took less than 1 tear-filled night for this to go from obscure title I had never heard of to a life-changing experience I never want to forget. In short: buy this game! You will not regret it, even if you don't fall in love like I did, because you will still be treated to an amazing story with lovable Ophelian characters, a wondrous atmosphere and an unforgettable soundtrack.
I'll admit, I'm what most people would call a care-bear. I have no problems with this label. I play games to have fun, to enjoy the story and gameplay itself. This is why I typically enjoy RTS / empire sim games such as Masters of Magic, HoMM, and now Age of Wonders via single-player. This is also why I have no qualms setting the difficulty to 'easy' to ease myself into it, and raise it as I find the game too easy or think I would enjoy a more challenging play. This is not the case with Age of Wonders. Each game, even on easy, is so merciless and unforgivingly difficult I had trouble scavenging even a mote of enjoyment out of them. I love the graphics, I love the character customization and empire building. And I LOVE the battle style. Which is why it's so hard for me to rate this game as I have, because everything is there for a stellar experience. But I can't even get past the first mission no matter how many times I try, or what methods I attempt. The enemy AI, quite simply, overpowers me everytime without fail. I build up a small army, maybe 3 detachments stacked with 8 units apiece...the enemy surrounds them effortlessly with 25+ units and destroys me. I fend them off, I fortify my towns and prepare for the onslaught...they seize my resources and then simply wait me out knowing they can win such wars of attrition. I get a 'GAME OVER' screen, they cannot. In the end, while I applaud the creativity and style this game accomplishes, I cannot recommend it to any save the most masochistic and hardcore of RTS fans. I, myself, am quite turned off of this series. Guess it's back to Masters of Magic for me.
