The next chapter in the Life is Strange series is on the way!
Life is Strange: True Colors, out September 10 in its entirety, is the fourth instalment in the adventure franchise. Publisher, Square Enix, announced the game last month during its Square Enix Presents spring showcase.
Players take on the role of Alex Chen, a young woman who moves to the quaint town of Haven Springs, Colorado to reunite with her brother, Gabe. After spending years in the foster care system, Alex begins to try and make up for lost time. She also meets the other citizens in town, including a familiar face for fans of the series.
However, when Gabe dies in a so called “accident”, Alex goes on a mission to investigate what really happened. On top of that, she must also learn how to control her secret power. She can feel the emotions of people around her and can understand why if she focuses hard enough. But if someone is feeling something deeply, it could “infect” Alex and cause her to lose control.
Honestly, the game’s announcement took me completely by surprise. But once I heard about it, I could not wait to see what direction they planned to take the franchise in. I kept my eyes glued to my phone during the Square Enix Presents showcase, ready to see the initial launch trailer. Needless to say, it did not disappoint.
To preface my thoughts on True Colors, I have to say that the Life is Strange series are some of my favorite games of all time. It started with the original game back in 2015 and I have been hooked ever since. There are so many aspects that endear them to not only me, but plenty of other people.
For starters, the stories can evoke so many different emotions out of the players. I have never played a series of games that have gripped me as hard as these. The characters are well-written and are extremely relatable, which draws players in even more. There were several instances throughout the series where I had to pause the game because the moments hit me that hard.
They are not afraid to handle topics that most games would not touch. These range from playing God to sexuality to drugs and alcohol, and they are all done very well. But the one thing that brings each game together is the music.
Critics and fans alike always love each game’s soundtrack. Whether it is an instrumental or a licensed track, the music never feels out of place. It adds to every scene and helps them feel that much more impactful.
With that being said, do I think Life is Strange: True Colors is going to be good? From what I have seen so far, I can confidently say that yes, I think it will.
Watching the launch trailer gave me so much nostalgia. I felt the same way I did when I first watched the trailers for Life is Strange and Before the Storm. The game itself looks amazing, the music is fantastic as always, and the story looks very compelling.
I cannot wait to unravel the mystery behind Gabe’s death, as well as see Alex’s power in action. I’m also looking forward to exploring Haven Springs and all it has to offer. But I cannot forget about that familiar face I mentioned earlier: Steph Gingrich.
A fan-favourite from Before the Storm, Steph is back and better than ever in True Colors. In the game, she is the manager of the town’s record store and the local radio DJ. She and Alex form a close friendship, and even something more if the player chooses!
I’m going to love learning what Steph has done since Before the Storm. Her voice actress, Katy Bentz, is also an amazing person. She streams on Twitch, which helped me meet a bunch of friends and even got me into streaming myself. So, it is great getting to see her return to the franchise and bring Steph back to life.
Plain and simple, Life is Strange: True Colors cannot get here soon enough. Every time new footage and gameplay is released, the more excited I get for September 10. I’m ready to immerse myself in Alex’s story, even if I may need a few tissues along the way!
Life is Strange: True Colors is currently available for pre-order on all platforms. You can choose from three editions, each with different features.
The standard edition comes with the base game and four different outfit options for Alex. The deluxe edition comes with the game, the outfit pack, and an additional outfit pack based off previous Life is Strange characters. Finally, the ultimate edition comes with everything in the deluxe, along with remastered versions of Life is Strange and Before the Storm.