Beyond the technicalities of an NSP file, let’s not forget why you want to play this game. Before the Storm is a masterclass in tragic prequel storytelling.
Chloe Price – The Heart of the Storm Ashly Burch could not voice Chloe due to the voice actor strike, so Rhianna DeVries stepped in. In the remaster, the facial capture elevates her performance. You see the flicker of vulnerability behind every angry outburst. This is a girl building walls because everyone she loved (her father, then Max) abandoned her.
Rachel Amber – The Myth Made Flesh The original Life is Strange painted Rachel as a ghost – perfect, mysterious, doomed. Before the Storm reveals her as chaotic, manipulative, scared, and fiercely magnetic. The “Tempest” play scene is a highlight of the entire franchise, now rendered with beautiful lighting in the remaster.
The "Farewell" Episode – A Gut Punch Included in the Remastered version, this bonus episode is the chronological beginning. Young Max and Chloe play pirates one last time before Max moves away. Having high-resolution textures on Chloe’s childhood bedroom, her father’s videos, and Max’s tearful face makes the tragedy land with brutal force. Have tissues ready.
Choices & Consequences Unlike the original Life is Strange (which had time rewind), Before the Storm uses the “Backtalk” system – a verbal sparring match. In the remaster, the UI is cleaner and the timing windows are more forgiving. The final choice of the game remains one of the most debated in the series: Tell Rachel the truth about her father, or hide it to protect her?
If you missed this title during its initial release, the Remastered version on Switch is the definitive way to experience Chloe's origin story. It is a game about anger, loss, and the desperate need to be seen. The writing is sharp, the voice acting is phenomenal (Rhianna DeVries delivers a standout performance as Chloe), and the soundtrack featuring bands like Daughter creates a melancholic atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.
Whether you are a returning fan wanting to replay the Farewell episode or a newcomer curious about the "Backtalk" mechanic, Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered remains a must-have for your digital library. Life is Strange Before the Storm Remastered-NSP...
Disclaimer: This article discusses the game for informational purposes. Users are encouraged to support developers by purchasing games through official channels like the Nintendo eShop.
The Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered (released as part of the Arcadia Bay Collection for Nintendo Switch) is a bittersweet return to Arcadia Bay that offers improved character models while struggling with technical polish. Narrative & Gameplay
As a prequel to the original Life is Strange, the game follows a 16-year-old Chloe Price and her intense, transformative friendship with Rachel Amber.
The "Backtalk" System: Replacing the original’s time-rewind mechanic, Chloe uses her wit to manipulate or provoke others in "Backtalk" challenges.
Emotional Weight: Critics praise the story as a "masterful prequel" that succeeds in making players care deeply about characters whose fates are already known.
Content: The remastered version includes the base three-episode game plus the "Farewell" bonus episode, where players step back into the role of Max Caulfield. The Remaster: Performance & Visuals Beyond the technicalities of an NSP file, let’s
The "Remastered" tag brings a mix of high-fidelity upgrades and frustrating technical regressions, particularly on the Nintendo Switch.
Visual Upgrades: Character models feature increased polycounts and improved hair physics. The lighting system has been reworked for more cinematic, natural-looking environments.
Switch Performance: Surprisingly, Before the Storm often runs better on Switch than the first game's remaster, with clearer textures and fewer visual glitches. However, users still report horrendous loading times—often exceeding 60 seconds.
Technical Issues: Even years after release, players encounter bugs including T-posing characters, missing audio lines, and lighting errors that can break immersion during emotional scenes. Summary Verdict Emotionally powerful, well-written prequel story Long loading times (often 1 minute+) Significantly improved character facial expressions Distracting visual bugs like T-posing and lighting glitches Includes all Deluxe content and "Farewell" DLC Loss of the original's unique "painterly" art style Iconic, atmospheric indie soundtrack Occasional low-poly "deformed" faces on NPCs
For many, the Arcadia Bay Collection is the definitive way to play if you lack a PC, but long-time fans often prefer the "soul" and stability of the original versions.
Are you planning to play through the Farewell bonus episode first, or dive straight into Chloe's main story? If you missed this title during its initial
| Feature | NSP (Backup) | eShop Digital | Physical Cartridge | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Requires Internet for initial download | No | Yes | No (but updates require internet) | | Install size | ~13GB (base) | ~13GB | ~6GB (cart) + 7GB download | | Load times | Fastest (SD dependent) | Fast | Slowest | | Resale value | None | None | Yes | | Ease of modding | Required | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Final Recommendation: If you own a modded Switch and a legal copy, creating an NSP backup is the optimal way to preserve performance. For standard users, buy the eShop version during a sale – the convenience outweighs the minor texture issues.
| Aspect | Original BtS (PC/Console) | BtS Remastered (Switch) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Visuals | Clean, stylized, stable | Blurry, flat, buggy | | Performance | 60 FPS possible, smooth | Unstable 30 FPS, dips | | Farewell Episode | Yes (in Deluxe) | Yes (included) | | Portability | No (Steam Deck excepted) | Yes | | Price | Often $7–10 | $20–40 (remastered collection) |
Unlike the main game, Chloe does not have supernatural abilities. Instead, the gameplay mechanic revolves around "Backtalk." This dialogue system allows Chloe to use her sharp wit and attitude to manipulate situations or provoke reactions. It fits the character perfectly, making the player feel like they are navigating the world through Chloe's punk-rock perspective.
The Remastered edition includes the Deluxe content, which features: