Tips & Secrets

Welcome to the definitive guide for mastering Life is Strange: Before the Storm! This section is your ultimate resource for uncovering every secret, maximizing your playthrough, and unlocking all achievements across PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux. We'll go beyond the main storyline to delve into the game's hidden depths, offering actionable strategies, specific locations, and crucial advice to ensure you don't miss a single beat of Chloe and Rachel's compelling journey.

Whether you're aiming for 100% completion, seeking out every Backtalk challenge, or simply want to appreciate the intricate details woven into Arcadia Bay, this guide has you covered. Prepare to elevate your Before the Storm experience!

General Playthrough Strategies

To get the most out of your time in Arcadia Bay, consider these overarching strategies:

• Explore Thoroughly: Unlike the first Life is Strange, Chloe doesn't have rewind powers. This means every choice is final, and every interaction matters. Take your time in each environment. Look behind objects, check every corner, and interact with everything highlighted. Many collectibles and optional dialogue options are easily missed if you rush.
• Listen to Dialogue: Pay close attention to conversations. Not only do they deepen the narrative, but they often contain subtle clues for puzzles, hints for Backtalk challenges, or reveal opportunities for optional interactions.
• Save Frequently: While the game has an auto-save feature, manual saves are your best friend, especially before critical choices or Backtalk challenges. If you want to experiment with different outcomes or retry a Backtalk, a well-placed manual save can save you a lot of time.
• Embrace Backtalk: Backtalk is Chloe's unique ability to talk her way out of situations or get what she wants. These are essentially timed dialogue puzzles. Success often depends on understanding the other person's personality and using their own words or insecurities against them. Don't be afraid to fail; sometimes, even a failed Backtalk can lead to interesting dialogue.
• Check Your Journal: Chloe's journal updates constantly with her thoughts, sketches, and important information. It's not just for flavor; it often contains hints for puzzles, summaries of recent events, and even clues for finding graffiti locations.

Graffiti Locations & Collectibles

One of the primary collectibles in Before the Storm is Chloe's graffiti. There are 10 graffiti opportunities in each of the three main episodes, plus an additional 5 in the bonus episode "Farewell." Successfully completing all graffiti in an episode unlocks an achievement. Missing even one means you'll need to replay the entire episode.

Episode 1: Awake

• Graffiti 1 (The Mill): After the concert, when Frank is arguing with Damon. Look for a red pickup truck near the entrance. The graffiti spot is on the passenger side door.
• Graffiti 2 (The Mill): Inside the office where you find Frank's ledger. On the whiteboard, after you've interacted with it.
• Graffiti 3 (Chloe's Room): After waking up, interact with the poster on the wall near her bed.
• Graffiti 4 (Chloe's Room): After finding the marker, look at the mirror on her dresser.
• Graffiti 5 (Kitchen): After Joyce leaves for work, look at the grocery list on the fridge.
• Graffiti 6 (Train Car): Inside the train car, on the wall near the broken window.
• Graffiti 7 (Train Car): After moving the box, on the wall behind it.
• Graffiti 8 (Junkyard): On the side of the old school bus, near the driver's seat.
• Graffiti 9 (Junkyard): On the large metal plate leaning against the tree, near the fire pit.
• Graffiti 10 (Junkyard): On the wooden plank near the entrance to the junkyard, after you've moved the tires.

Episode 2: Brave New World

• Graffiti 1 (Blackwell Academy - Dorms): After the fire alarm, on the whiteboard in the boys' dorm hallway.
• Graffiti 2 (Blackwell Academy - Dorms): In Steph's room, on the D&D character sheet on her desk.
• Graffiti 3 (Blackwell Academy - Main Hall): On the poster board near the principal's office.
• Graffiti 4 (Blackwell Academy - Drama Club): On the prop sword rack in the drama club room.
• Graffiti 5 (Blackwell Academy - Drama Club): On the backdrop for the play, after you've interacted with it.
• Graffiti 6 (The Play - Backstage): On the mirror in Rachel's dressing room.
• Graffiti 7 (The Play - Backstage): On the stage prop of the tree, after you've moved it.
• Graffiti 8 (Frank's RV): On the side of the RV, near the door.
• Graffiti 9 (Frank's RV): On the dirty plate on the table inside the RV.
• Graffiti 10 (Mill): On the side of the broken-down car near the entrance.

Episode 3: Hell is Empty

• Graffiti 1 (Chloe's Room): On the "No Trespassing" sign on her door.
• Graffiti 2 (Chloe's Room): On the empty picture frame on her desk.
• Graffiti 3 (Hospital - Waiting Room): On the magazine rack near the entrance.
• Graffiti 4 (Hospital - Waiting Room): On the poster on the wall near the vending machine.
• Graffiti 5 (Hospital - Rachel's Room): On the get-well card on Rachel's bedside table.
• Graffiti 6 (Hospital - Rachel's Room): On the IV drip bag.
• Graffiti 7 (Sera's Apartment): On the mirror in the bathroom.
• Graffiti 8 (Sera's Apartment): On the empty picture frame on the dresser in the bedroom.
• Graffiti 9 (Lighthouse): On the side of the lighthouse, near the entrance.
• Graffiti 10 (Lighthouse): On the wooden plank near the edge of the cliff.

Bonus Episode: Farewell

• Graffiti 1 (Chloe's Room): On the poster above her bed.
• Graffiti 2 (Chloe's Room): On the mirror on her dresser.
• Graffiti 3 (Max's Room): On the calendar on Max's wall.
• Graffiti 4 (Max's Room): On the photo album on Max's desk.
• Graffiti 5 (Junkyard): On the side of the old school bus.

Pro Tip: Many graffiti spots require you to interact with an object first (e.g., read a note, move an item) before the graffiti option appears. If you can't find a spot, try interacting with everything nearby.

Backtalk Challenges & Strategies

Backtalks are pivotal moments where Chloe uses her sharp wit to influence others. Mastering them is key to certain outcomes and achievements.

General Backtalk Strategy:

• Listen Carefully: The most important rule. The correct responses often echo phrases or sentiments the other person just expressed, or they exploit a weakness they've revealed.
• Identify Their Weakness: Are they proud? Insecure? Angry? Rational? Tailor your responses to their emotional state.
• Use Their Own Words: Often, a successful Backtalk involves twisting the opponent's previous statements against them.
• Time is of the Essence: Backtalks are timed. Don't panic, but don't overthink. Trust your gut based on the dialogue.
• Save Beforehand: If you're aiming for a perfect run or a specific achievement, make a manual save right before a Backtalk challenge.

Key Backtalk Moments & Tips:

Here are some notable Backtalk challenges and specific advice:

Achievements & Trophies Guide

Most achievements in Before the Storm are tied to completing all graffiti in an episode or making specific key choices. Here's a breakdown:

• "Amateur Graffiti Artist" (Episode 1): Complete all 10 graffiti in Episode 1.
• "Graffiti Artist" (Episode 2): Complete all 10 graffiti in Episode 2.
• "Master Graffiti Artist" (Episode 3): Complete all 10 graffiti in Episode 3.
• "Farewell, Arcadia Bay" (Farewell Episode): Complete all 5 graffiti in the "Farewell" episode.
• "Drama Queen" (Episode 2): Successfully perform in the play with Rachel. This requires making specific choices throughout Episode 2 to ensure Rachel is available and you both get on stage.
• "Backtalk Master" (Episode 1, 2, 3): Successfully complete all Backtalk challenges in the game. This requires careful listening and often a manual save before each one.
• Story-related Achievements: These unlock automatically as you progress through the main story of each episode. You can't miss them.

Missable Achievements: The graffiti and Backtalk achievements are the most commonly missed. Always refer to a guide (like this one!) or use a checklist as you play to ensure you hit every spot. The "Drama Queen" achievement also requires specific choices, so be mindful of your interactions with Rachel and the drama club throughout Episode 2.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Rushing Through Dialogue: Skipping dialogue can cause you to miss crucial clues for Backtalks or graffiti locations. Take your time.
• Not Exploring Every Nook: Many interactive objects are tucked away. Always rotate the camera and check behind furniture or in corners.
• Ignoring Chloe's Journal: The journal is a valuable resource for hints and lore. Check it regularly.
• Forgetting Manual Saves: Relying solely on auto-saves can be frustrating if you miss a collectible or fail a Backtalk and want to retry without replaying a large section.
• Making Irreversible Choices Without Thought: While the game encourages choice, some decisions have significant consequences. If you're aiming for a specific outcome, consider the implications before committing.

By following these tips and utilizing this comprehensive guide, you'll be well-equipped to experience Life is Strange: Before the Storm to its fullest, uncovering every secret and mastering every challenge Chloe Price faces.