The next entry in theLife is Strangeseries,Life is Strange: True Colors, will release later this year. Even at first glance, it’s noticeable thatLife is Strange: True Colorsis ditching the more expansive cross country narrative fromLife is Strange 2to tell a more subtle and grounded tale similar to the firstLife is Strange.
Life is Strange 2had a far more complex narrative thanLife is Strange, tackling a wider variety of social and political issues than the first. However, at its core, it was a story about brotherhood. To successfully deliver on that end, the game stripped players of one key feature that made the first game so engrossing.
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The Passive Power
InLife is Strange 2, the main protagonist, Sean, doesn’t have anysupernatural ability. Instead, his brother Daniel wields this telekinesis power, and it’s the players' job to teach Daniel how to control and use his newfound ability. This leads to a volatile situation where player actions throughout the journey decide whether Daniel uses his supernal power for a good cause or a bad cause. While it works from the narrative point of view, it robs players from experimenting and exploiting the power themselves.
Life is Strangeis all about choices and consequences, and one way it sets itself apart from other games in the genre is by providing players the ability to use supernatural abilities in mundane situations. InLife is Strange, Max’s ability to rewind time allowed players to experiment with her power in a wide variety of circumstances. Some of these encounters had interesting consequences and weren’t even part of the main narrative. The ability to wield such power also meant players had direct control over some of the key decision-making moments of the game.
Power is Freedom
The freedom to use supernatural abilities whenever they want gives players a sense of control over the character, something that is immensely important in a game about choices and consequences. Thankfully,Life is Strange: True Colorsis going back to the series' roots and introduces a power-wielding protagonist. The game features Alex Chen, a young Asian American woman who has the ability to feel other people’s emotions.
If the reveal was any indication,Life is Strange: True Colorsis all set to give players the freedom to exploit Alex’s psychic ability to their likings. Players can freely explore the streets and spaces of Haven Springs, and have ample opportunity to interact with different NPCs. This could lead to some intriguing moments fueled by Alex’s supernatural ability, which could be unique to every player.
Life is Strange: True Colorsgoes even further to makeAlex’s supernatural ability a central part of the game’s narrative. Her psychic power of empathy will play an important role in uncovering the mystery behind her brother’s death. Her power could also be a driving force in forming a special bond with either of the two romanceable characters.
While it’s still too early to predict how comprehensively players can use Alex’s supernatural ability, this feels like a step in the right direction. More importantly, this makesLife is Strange: True Colorsfeel more likeLife is StrangethanLife is Strange 2.
Life is Strange: True Colorswill be available on July 10, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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