Verdict
Deck Nine and Square Enix took a big gamble on making Life is Strange: True Colors a full sport from the get-go versus an episodic journey. But the choice has paid off, delivering one of many sequence’ extra refined entries thus far. Haven Springs is a pleasure to discover, and Alex’s emotional journey is one that can stick with me for a very long time to return.
Pros
One of the sequence’ simplest tales butHaven Springs is brilliantly realisedCharacter design and animation has enormously improvedFantastic soundtrack
Cons
Plenty of glitches popped up in the course of the playthrough
Key Features
PlatformsPS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia
GenreNarrative journey
Introduction
After the surprisingly efficient Life is Strange: Before the Storm, developer Deck Nine has returned to helm the sequence for its newest mainline define, Life is Strange: True Colors.
At a time when the supposedly new and improved Telltale Games remains to be onerous at work on upcoming titles, and Quantic Dream sticks to the time-consuming technique of delivering close to Hollywood-esque visuals, it’s the Life is Strange sequence that has been left to hold the baton of choice-driven narrative adventures.
And thank goodness I say – thus far the sequence has completed an incredible job of mixing the supernatural with younger grownup drama, delving into the themes of duty, penalties for one’s actions and now, with the most recent instalment, the emotional results of grief.
Gameplay
At its core, True Colors stays devoted to the primary mechanics of the Life is Strange sequence. The sport is pushed by conversations between the participant and NPCs, and likewise gadgets within the setting, which may open up new dialogue choices, and even provide options to varied puzzles. Spontaneous dialog (launched in Life is Strange 2) makes a return right here, supplying you with the possibility to answer dialogue that happens whilst you’re exploring the setting.
Of course, it simply wouldn’t be a Life is Strange title with out the existence of an excellent energy to spice issues up. While Max had time journey and Daniel had telekinesis, the heroine of True Colors, Alex Chen, is ready to detect somebody’s feelings, indicated by a vibrant aura that envelops their being. This supernatural energy feels much more intertwined with the sequence’ emphasis on establishing relationships with different characters.
This additional layer of empathy permits Alex to know the reasoning behind an individual’s state of feelings – a secret piece of data which may not be shared in any other case. It isn’t simply people who Alex can scan, as sure objects across the sport’s setting of Haven Springs may also be analysed for the robust reminiscences related to them, serving to to ascertain a way of worldbuilding that merely wasn’t potential in earlier video games.
The extra thought-about superpower isn’t the one factor that’s totally different, nevertheless, as a variety of work as gone into making the sport extra accessible. For occasion, timed decisions will be lengthened, and any moments that require fast reactions will be skipped completely.
What’s certainly to attraction to Twitch streamers is the addition of ‘Crowd Choice’ which permits your viewership to vote on what occurs subsequent, with additional tweaks together with how the votes are tallied and the time period given to vote. It’s spectacular stuff, and it makes quite a lot of sense for a sport that a big portion of individuals will merely watch against enjoying an lively function. Now, they’ll do each.
Story
In a sequence like Life is Strange, True Colors’ success is pinned nearly completely on its central narrative. To make issues much more daunting, that is the primary sport within the franchise that hasn’t been launched episodically, as an alternative choosing a full story that’s able to play from day one.
This transfer has paid off, with True Colors providing up a much more grounded story by comparability to some other Life is Strange title, however one that’s succinct in figuring out precisely what it desires to say, all of the whereas reaching its conclusion with none pointless fluff to pad out the journey.
True Colors sees Alex Chen, a younger lady who’s been out and in of orphanages for a number of years, lastly escape the system to stay together with her estranged older brother within the idyllic Colorado city of Haven Springs. While the mountain city seems to supply some a lot wanted refuge for somebody with such a troubled previous, Alex’s second of bliss is minimize quick when a tragic accident seemingly claims the lifetime of her brother Gabe.
With many mysteries left to resolve surrounding the accident, True Colors feels a world away from the multi-state trek of Life is Strange 2, as an alternative deciding to comprise the story to the centre of Haven Springs and its varied outlets and hangouts. The resolution to stay to 1 location additionally lends itself properly in permitting the participant to extra deeply join with Haven Springs, simply as Alex does, the longer she stays there.
The city itself can be stuffed with lots to do. There are a number of mini-stories occurring in regards to the place that may be missed completely if you happen to don’t listen, so exploration is all the time inspired. There’s additionally two arcade cupboards with correct video games loaded on to them for some candy high-score chasing.
I received’t spoil any of the most important plot factors right here, however I’ll say that I used to be completely happy with the story’s conclusion, and I’m fairly keen to return and see how the 5 different endings fare.
Graphics
At a number of factors throughout my playthrough, I discovered myself dumbstruck at simply how far the sequence’ artwork type has come alongside. Character element and animation as an example, whereas not on the identical stage as one thing like Detroit: Become Human, are leaps and bounds forward of something the sequence has put out earlier than.
The visible enhancements are emphasised with Steph Gingrich’s character. When you evaluate her character mannequin in Before the Storm to True Colors, it feels as if a higher consideration to element has been utilized, permitting her persona to shine via in a extra pure manner in consequence.
Unfortunately, the technical achievements of Life is Strange: True Colors are marred considerably by an abundance of glitches. During my playthrough, scene transitions had been everywhere and in a single occasion, the credibility behind a heart-to-heart dialog was decimated when Alex broke out right into a T-pose. I can solely hope that these glitches are mounted quickly in order that they don’t impede on anybody’s enjoyment of the story.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
If you get pleasure from story:Life is Strange: True Colors is a must have title so as to add to your library if you happen to’re searching for a incredible, emotional story.
If narrative-driven video games simply aren’t your factor:Life is Strange: True Colors sticks largely to the identical blueprint as its predecessors, so that you received’t discover a lot enjoyable right here if you happen to’re not into narrative-driven video games.
Final Thoughts
Deck Nine and Square Enix took a big gamble when ditching the episodic blueprint for Life is Strange: True Colors. But the choice has paid off, delivering one of many sequence’ extra refined entries thus far, and one which isn’t hampered by unnecessary padding. Even although it’s held again barely by one too many glitches, Haven Springs is a pleasure to discover, and Alex’s journey of grief and the significance of expressing your feelings is one that can stick with me for a very long time to return.
How we take a look at
We play each sport we evaluate via to the tip, outdoors of sure exceptions the place getting 100% completion, like Skyrim, is near not possible to do. When we don’t totally end a sport earlier than reviewing it we are going to all the time alert the reader.
Played via everything of the single-player marketing campaign
FAQs
Does Life is Strange: True Colors have multiplayer? No, this can be a single-player sport How lengthy does it take to finish Life is Strange: True Colors? Between 7-10 hours. Is Life is Strange: True Colors out there for Nintendo Switch? Yes, however the Switch model is popping out at a later date.
Full specs
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UK RRP
Manufacturer
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Platforms
Publisher
Developer
Life is Strange: True Colors
£49.99
Square-Enix
2021
10/09/2021
PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia
Square Enix
Deck Nine
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