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Life is Strange: Before the Storm similar games & best alternatives

Life is Strange: Before the Storm

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, Linux • 2017

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Quick resume

Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a new three part standalone story adventure set three years before the events of the first game. This time play as Chloe Price, a rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber in a dramatic new story in the BAFTA award winning franchise.

Global score

93/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Emotional and immersive storytelling
    • Well-developed characters and relationships
    • Excellent soundtrack and atmosphere
    • Meaningful player choices affecting narrative
    • Accessible gameplay with unique dialogue mechanics

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Lack of time-rewind mechanic from original
    • Some find replay emotionally difficult
    • Minor continuity issues with original game
    • Limited gameplay variety beyond narrative choices

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Survival.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players make meaningful choices affecting story outcomes and character relationships, showing personal freedom in decision-making."

    • Competence
      1

      "Gameplay involves dialogue choices and some puzzle elements like 'backtalk', but overall easy and accessible with minimal technical challenge."

    • Competition
      -5

      "Focus is on personal story and emotional experience without competitive or ranked elements."

    • Continuation
      2

      "Players report emotional attachment and replay value, though the game is relatively short and some find it hard to replay due to emotional weight."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Single-player narrative experience focused on individual character interactions, no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players can influence story through choices and dialogue, and customize Chloe's outfits, allowing some creative expression within narrative constraints."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting control over others; interactions are narrative and relational rather than hierarchical or competitive."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Strong emotional immersion and escapism through storytelling, music, and character-driven drama."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and emotional connection to characters and story."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players explore different dialogue choices and story branches, experimenting with outcomes and character interactions."

    • Exploration
      1

      "Some environmental interaction and revisiting familiar locations, but exploration is limited and narrative-driven."

    • Expression
      3

      "Character customization through outfit changes and expressive dialogue choices support player self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      -2

      "Story grounded in realistic teenage life and emotional struggles without supernatural powers, though some narrative elements are stylized."

    • Fellowship
      1

      "Strong emotional connection to characters and community of fans, but gameplay is single-player and solitary."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players experience character development and emotional growth through story; some learning about relationships and consequences."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention on narrative and dialogue; not designed for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      4

      "Deep emotional bonds and intimate relationships between characters are central to the experience."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; player follows narrative without directing others."

    • Progression
      2

      "Progression through story advancement and unlocking new dialogue options; some character customization."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Emotional and atmospheric pacing provides moments of reflection and catharsis, balancing tension with calm."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Strong audiovisual presentation with acclaimed soundtrack and stylized graphics providing sensory and emotional stimulation."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on personal narrative experience."

    • Story
      5

      "Narrative immersion is the core of the game, with rich character development and emotionally engaging plot."

    • Strategy
      1

      "Some strategic thinking in dialogue choices and 'backtalk' mechanic, but overall straightforward narrative progression."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Emotional tension and suspense present but no high-risk or adrenaline-driven gameplay."

    • Value
      4

      "Highly praised for emotional impact and storytelling value relative to game length and price."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on narrative and character interaction."

    • Survival
      -5

      "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable narrative environment."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026