Summary 5.0/5.0
Farewell is the bonus episode created by Deck Nine as part of their Life is Strange: Before the Storm collection. Farewell is the shortest of Deck Nine's episode, but is sure to stay with players the longest. The sequence is an incredibly impactful and satisfying conclusion to Max and Chloe's story, even though it takes place before the events of Before the Storm and Life is Strange. Farewell can be played independently of the other Before the Storm episodes, but if you want to end your Life is Strange playthrough in the best possible way, I'd recommend saving this for last. Farewell provides the same quality of experience we've come to expect from Life is Strange, as well as the same punch-to-the-gut feeling, but in a good way.
Farewell
I know my number one complaint in reviewing narrative games is expository dialogue. I hate it. It breaks immersion. It cheapens the experience. It expects too little of the audience. Farewell does have some expository narration. However, in this episode, it works. I buy it. Max is leaving, she's repeating the words again and again because she doesn't want it to be true, but she also needs to work up the courage to tell Chloe. It didn't prevent me from getting immersed in the story, or worse, interrupt the experience. Farewell drops you into a day in the lives of young Max and Chloe, procrastinating on their chores in the most Chloe way I can imagine. The pretense of cleaning gives players a perfect opportunity to re-explore Chloe's house and understand the origins of the blue-haired rebel we meet in Life is Strange.
Did I know I wanted to go on a pirate adventure with Max and Chloe? No. Do I believe every Life is Strange fan needs to go on this pirate adventure? Absolutely I do. I won't spoil any details of this fairly short episode, but Farewell is a remarkably well-crafted story, designed to be illuminating, nostalgic, and heart-wrenching. The return of the original voice actors for this episode certainly contributes to its effectiveness, but Deck Nine exceeded expectations in composing this episode. Farewell proved that mechanics don't make a Life is Strange game. There's no rewind or backtalk mechanic, and you won't miss it. Not only has Deck Nine given us closure I didn't know I needed on Max and Chloe's relationship, it's proven that a new Life is Strange game doesn't need rewind power to be great. The essence of Life is Strange is in its characters, and I'm excited to see where Dontnod will take the franchise next.
Conclusion
If you enjoyed Life is Strange but weren't interested in the Rachel-themed prequel, play Farewell. If you played Before the Storm but it didn't quite scratch the Life is Strange itch, play Farewell. If you want to play Before the Storm and haven't gotten around to it, play Before the Storm and then play Farewell to complete the saga. You get the picture. Farewell is everything I hoped Before the Storm as a whole would be and I highly recommend it to any fans of Life is Strange. Just be prepared for some emotional whiplash.