Earlier this month, evidence that a prequel to the critically acclaimedLife is Strangewas in the workshit the Internet. Today, at Microsoft’s E3 conference,Life is Strange: Before the Stormwas officially unveiled via a brief trailer, giving fans plenty to look forward to for later this year.
Three episodes ofBefore the Stormwill be released, starting in August. The fact that only three episodes are being produced, compared to the five-episode run of the originalLife is Strange, might confirm reports that a sequel isalso in development.
Before the Stormputs Chloe Price into the role of protagonist, and sees her form an unlikely friendship with the popular Rachel Amber. Life changes drastically for Rachel when a family secret rears its head, and the two women have to work together to remedy the situation.
It remains to be seen how differentBefore the Stormwill be from its predecessor. The brief trailer showed plenty of intrigue, and some familiar characters from the original game, but there were no clear signs that the more otherworldly gameplay components ofLife is Strangewill make an appearance.
We did see some pretty overt references to the fact that it’s set before theevents of the first title, though. For instance, Chloe hasn’t yet taken the plunge with her blue hair dye, and has a much less eye-catching head of hair during the events ofBefore the Storm.
Fans ofLife is Strangewill certainly be pleased to find that more of the story is on its way. However, prequels are always difficult to get completely right — fleshing out existing characters can rob them of some of their mystique, and there are always difficulties when players know how the story is going to end up.
Life is Strange: Before the Stormstarts its three-episode run on August 31.
