Life Is Strange: True Colors (2021)

Life Is Strange: True Colors is the fifth entry in the series and the third main instalment. This graphic adventure game is based upon decisions made by the players that will have significant impacts later on in the game, leading to a multitude of possible different endings and offering much replay value. The game consists of five episodes of roughly four hours of length which makes for about twenty hours of entertainment in total with all the side quests. If you play the game without the side quests, you could perhaps even finish it in roughly twelve to fifteen hours.

The story of the game revolves around twenty-one-year-old Alexandra Chen who leaves her foster home and psychologist behind to start a new life with her older brother in rural Haven Springs in Colorado. The siblings were separated after the tragic death of their mother shattered their lives and the father's failure to adapt to the new situation tore them apart. Alexandra Chen had several negative experiences in foster families and homes while her brother Gabriel spent some time in prison. Arriving in Haven Springs feels like paradise to the initially shy Alexandra Chen. Her brother is caring, dynamic and welcoming to her and she soon spends time with friendly new acquaintances such as park ranger Ryan Lucan and record store owner Stephanie. She even gets the opportunity to stay at her brother's beautiful apartment since he spends much time with his girlfriend and artist Charlotte and her quirky son Ethan who have their own apartment. When Alexandra gets offered the opportunity to help out at local bar Black Lantern by friendly owner Jed, everything seems to be going fine. However, appearances are deceiving as Alexandra struggles to understand the supernatural power that allows her to detect and sense other persons' emotions. Things take a more complicated turn when tragedy strikes on her first night in town. Alexandra Chen has to dig deep into her own past and discover the dark sides of this seemingly idyllic place to come to terms with the dramatic series of events unfolding around her.

This game convinces on numerous levels. First of all, the location of Haven Springs is gorgeous with a wonderful bridge, an old school record store, a cozy tavern, a luminous rooftop garden and a park right next to a lake with snowy mountains in the background. The graphic design for this game is absolutely outstanding and anyone considering her-, him- or themselves an artist should purchase this wonderful game for that reason already.

Another particular strength are the diversified characters who all have to deal with their inner demons but also show moments of hope, joy and love - even the villains. Some of these great characters are resilient brother Gabriel Chen who has been looking for his sister for many years, poetic taxidermist Reginald McCalister III and empathic flower shop owner Eleanor Lethe. Stephanie Gingrich, from the previous instalment Life Is Strange: Before the Storm, makes an impressive appearance as energetic radio show host and record store owner. The most interesting character however remains protagonist Alexandra Chen, a tender, shy and insecure youngster who has suffered much in her past but gradually becomes a resilient, hopeful and helpful young woman you could easily imagine as your friend.

The story is also above average as the numerous side quests offer interesting details about the charming characters. The final episode that puts the different pieces together might offer a few minor twists as well. The ending sequences are very entertaining as usual and make you want to discover the numerous different outcomes.

The only element one could criticize the game for is that it keeps things very safe and is exactly in the key of its four predecessors. Due to its wonderful characters and graphic excellence, it easily triumphs over its three immediate predecessors while the first original video game still remains the greatest in the series because of its absolutely astonishing story line.

Fans of the franchise can't go wrong here as this release can be celebrated as a triumphant return to form. This game would also serve as a decent introduction to the franchise. If intriguing characters, colourful graphics and twisted stories with depth are your thing, then you can't get around this game. It's also possible to purchase additional mini-game Wavelengths that further explores Stephanie Gingrich's story between the events shown in Life Is Strange: Before the Storm and Life Is Strange: True Colors. Said mini-game is roughly four hours long if you really take your time but can also be completed in half the time if you want to.

To keep it short, Life Is Strange: True Colors is one of last year's better games and makes us look forward to experiencing the future of this vibrant franchise on the pulse of time that invites us to dream ourselves far away.

Detailed rating:

Atmosphere: 9 / 10 

Challenge level: 7 /10

Controls: 8 / 10

Game flow: 8 /10

Graphics: 10 /10

Length: 9 /10

Long-term fun factor: 9 /10  

Sound: 8 /10

Soundtrack: 8 /10

Story: 7 /10

Total score: 83 / 100