Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 79 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 82 | 74 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 73 | 75 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (32)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Brave New World doesn’t give Chloe and Rachel quite enough screen time to shine as brightly as Before the Storm’s first episode, but there are plenty of top-notch moments in this instalment, and the cliffhanger has us eagerly awaiting our next fix of Life Is Strange.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Deck Nine has effectively made a story with a predictable conclusion feel engaging, and even hopeful against all odds. Right now, it feels like a blessing that they've let Chloe and Rachel Amber have their simple moment in time; right now, nothing can go wrong, the world is full of possibilities. The storm can wait.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“One of the best Life Is Strange episodes so far, with more earnest and relatable character work and some impressive branching storytelling.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A compelling emotional mosaic that's definitely worth seeking out.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Life is Strange: Before the Storm has so far been consistent in its delivery of a heartfelt story with lots of wiggle room for players to craft their own emotional journey. The final episode can’t come soon enough.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Although many fans were initially worried about Deck Nine taking the helm for the prequel to Life is Strange that fear now seems totally unjustified. Their vision for the series, as showcased in the first episode, is proof positive that the much loved characters are in safe hands. Brave New World is yet another piece of lovingly crafted evidence that should banish any lingering doubt about the developer. They are a highly capable team and a near perfect fit for this series.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“An interesting episode that sometimes makes us a simple spectators of Cloe's actions.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Brave New World is a trivial episode that still doesn't offer any intrigue.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Slow, but interesting... The second episode of Life Is Strange: Before The Storm is a classic slow burn that rewards the patient souls among us. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Although it might not be as strong as Episode One, Episode Two builds in confidence and understands exactly what we want out of this story. Sad, happy, heartwarming and heartbreaking, Episode Two is an emotional experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“With only one episode left (well, two, if you’ve purchased the Deluxe Edition with an extra episode), the jury is still out about what I feel towards this mini-prequel. There are some really nice character moments in this episode which gives these young people a chance to be themselves and set aside the woes of the world for a minute or two. The episode also reveals a few hooks to hang Life Is Strange, which reaffirms my concerns with how deeply Before The Storm is entrenched in another game’s identity.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Life Is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2: Brave New World showed me what Deck Nine is capable of in terms of storytelling and character growth.”
read full review ↗
Push Square
GameSpot
Metro GameCentral
We Got This Covered
Fandom
DarkZero
IGN
Wccftech
Darkstation
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