What makes True Colors really stand out, as I’ve alluded to above, is how Alex’s ability to absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others is woven into the narrative-driven gameplay. People are still going to love the overarching story and its many plot twists, even if it gets a little clichéd at times.
That being said, the moments that followed this provided enough gripping moments and sheer panic on my part - as I assumed I’d goofed up some major choices - that this wasn’t a deal-breaker. My only real complaint with the narrative came in a particular revelation towards the end of the game, one that felt a little trite, especially when put in the context of the rest of the series. There’s always a revelation just around the corner to keep you hooked, and some light-hearted moments - Episode 3’s LARP a real highlight of the whole experience, more on that later - to balance things out when things get a little heavier. The detective work of Alex can get pretty emotionally draining but never feels like slow going.
#Strange but true game series
It makes following the narrative much easier from chapter to chapter, and I sincerely hope this is something the series sticks with moving forward.
Thankfully, this isn’t too much of an issue, given all five chapters are available to play from day one, so those months-long waits we’d seen with every previous entry in the series are no more. As previously mentioned, the opening chapter can feel very slow going, and chapter 2 feels very short and sweet in contrast. My only gripe was the pacing sometimes felt a little off. It doesn’t take long for the action to pick up, and while I’m going to be particularly vague to save you from story spoilers - as I do believe any Life Is Strange game is best experienced when you go in as blind as possible - you can expect all the twists and turns the series is renowned for. Alex’s ability to read the thoughts and deep-seated emotions of those around her opens up opportunities to probe them for more information on the goings-on around town, or uncover their own dark secrets which are particularly dramatic in true Life Is Strange fashion. These perfectly crafted characters are what make True Colors such a joy to play beyond its gripping, overarching narrative. Underneath that friendly surface layer, however, there are unique human beings, each with their own complex emotions: ambitions, desires, worries, and regrets. The locals are super friendly, each with their own unique little quirks that make them likable enough, or in the instances of some, just purely intriguing, resulting in me frequently checking in with them throughout the course of the game. The mining town of Haven Springs is a tranquil little place, teeming with vibrant flowers and quaint little shops like a record store, flower shop, and of course, in true Colorado fashion, a dispensary. In its opening chapter, True Colors can feel a little slow going at times.
Things soon take a turn for the worst, however, as Gabe is killed in mysterious circumstances, and so Alex dons her best Sherlock Holmes cap and gets to work investigating the seedy underbelly of Haven Springs. She’s an empath, if you will, and following a rather tumultuous childhood which saw her and her old brother Gabe separated for eight years, she’s finally able to leave the care home she was placed in to go and live with him in Haven Springs.Īll seems fine and dandy as the two reunite, he introduces her to her new digs - his old flat as he’s now living with his girlfriend Charlotte and her son Ethan –, they air rock out to a Kings of Leon number in one of the most heartwarming scenes in the game and dot around town as Gabe introduces his sister to the locals.
That can be family members, or a random stranger passing in the street. Life Is Strange: True Colors follows the story of Alex Chen, a teenage girl who’s been gifted - or cursed with, as she would say - the ability to read, feel, and extract the inner emotions of those in close proximity to her. I’ve already gone over the game’s opening chapter in my hands-on preview, but for those that didn’t read it, I’ll give you a quick briefer. Deck Nine has crafted quite possibly the best game in the series with a far more gripping story than its immediate predecessor, Life Is Strange 2. Now having played all five episodes of Life Is Strange: True Colors, I’d go as far as to say that the apprentice has become the master. Having released the prequel spin-off Life Is Strange: Before the Storm back in 2018, the studio proved itself as more than capable of nailing that indie Life Is Strange aesthetic and everything that encompasses. Life Is Strange: True Colors comes from the talented team over at Deck Nine.
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