Life is Strange: True Colors Review (PS5)

The success of Life is Strange franchise is a testimonial that a good story is often more important than graphics or innovative gameplay. The biggest secret of the games released so far is the emotional connection it manages to establish with the players. Does True Colors manage to spark the same reaction or is it just a forgettable gamified visual novel?

Before the Storm is one of the most emotional experiences I have ever had. Developed by the very same studio, True Colors walks away from the political and social statement that was Life is Strange 2 but builds on the unshakable bond that links two siblings. It is unmistakably a Life is Strange game, that does not innovate, does not bring anything new, but puts you through an emotional journey with characters that you will feel connected to.

All the main episodes of the franchise present a new supernatural power. We had time travel, telekinesis and now you have extreme empathy. Alex, our new protagonist may not save the world with their power, but she can make the life of her friends more bearable. This fits the setting, the small-town Haven Springs hidden in the mountains of Colorado, where the troubles of the world seem a faded echo.

Although it is idyllic and friendly and heart-warmingly welcoming, you cannot feel that something is amiss. But you try to put this feeling on the account of Alex’s past experiences and believe that for the first time in her life, she might have found a well-deserved break. She is reunited with her brother, surrounded by warm people who seem to have potential to become friends, in a place that seems to be the home she never had.        

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After going through the hell of foster care, our hero though still struggling with her past traumas and understanding her powers, finds the power to try to fit in Haven Springs. The designers did an excellent job making Alex’s perspective our own and making discovering the small town a really pleasant experience. All the small details make the place come alive, even though the size of the game world is not very generous, even compared to previous games.

You will be able to wonder around a small part of the town and visit a handful of locations in order to uncover clues that are more or less essential to understand the inhabitants. The interesting effect of True Colors on players is that as the game advances it will make them feel part of the community, caring for each and every character they meet.

Actually, this is one of the most important aspect of the game, discovering the story of the townsfolk you meet and forming relationships with them. Instead of playing secondary parts, the people Alex will meet are an important part of the story and they become just as crucial as the decisions you will have to make. You see how you can influence their life in a more immediate way. Their motivations and troubles get entangled with those of Alex, making the story of True Colors about the entire community, not just a single person.

Still, at the centre of it all is Alex whose arrival in Haven Springs will shake things up. For some in a positive manner, for others not so much. One thing is certain though that everyone’s life will be influenced. Especially those of Steph and Riley, the local radio DJ and ranger, who represent the love interest options. Unlike in the previous episodes, the romantic path is not defined, and it is up to players to find love or to stay in friend zone.

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Beyond the obvious, the choices you make regarding the persons you let closer to you than anyone else will also affect the way the ending plays out, and what destinies will be Alex able to choose from. This confers the game replay value, even if the main story will stick to the same crucial moments. Based on how you behaved, in the end game you will gain or lose the support of those around you.

This puts the outcome of the inevitable tragedy in new perspective and offers several ways it can play out. Unfortunately, it seems that the designers focused more on the build-up, than the ending. The first of chapters of True Colors are a true delight, while the final chapter feels somewhat rushed and not so well thought out. The genius of the third chapter that focuses on an ingenious LARP session is in sharp contrast with the collection of cliches presented at the end of the fifth.

Focusing on the sentiments the game may generate, somehow the developers form Deck Nine dropped the ball with the ending. It is obvious that they tried it to make human instead of world shattering, but they dropped the ball. It is the weakest part of the game, that leaves you feel wanting something not so underwhelming. It feels rushed and although it offers closure, it does not rise to the level of engagement of the rest of the game.

Gameplay-wise, you will not have too much to do, other than make some choices and explore the sentimental auras of the surrounding people. The last part becomes more and more complex, but it is still coming down to analysing your surroundings and interacting with the right objects in the right order. The meditation moments are back, and they are accompanied again by a tremendous selection of indie music, that creates the perfect atmosphere.

As good as the musical selection and the voice acting is, unfortunately the graphics feel outdated. The visual style is as warm as an Indian summer afternoon, but textures can be blurry, the colours are not so vibrant as they should be, often the faces of the less important characters are less detailed and some of the textures are no mor than a pixel collection. There are still some visual bugs left in there, that break the immersion, though not the game.

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The Good

The Bad

Conclusion