Life is Strange: True Colors

Life is Strange: True Colors is a narrative adventure from Deck Nine, in which the player, as Alex Chen, possesses an empathic ability to literally see and feel other people's emotions as colored auras. After moving to the mountain town of Haven Springs following the mysterious death of her brother, Alex sets out on an investigation that gradually uncovers dark secrets hidden beneath the surface of a seemingly idyllic community. Unlike previous entries in the series, this game was released in full, without an episodic structure, allowing for smoother storytelling and a more focused dramatic arc for the whole story.

On Xbox Series X and S, where the game launched in 2021, it benefits from higher resolution and stable performance, letting the detailed facial animations and subtle expressions that narrative games of this kind rely on truly shine. Alex's emotional ability is also reflected in the gameplay — the player can amplify other characters' emotions or use them to resolve conflicts, giving what is otherwise a classic adventure a clear gameplay mechanic and allowing the player to actively intervene in the fates of side characters instead of merely observing their stories. The setting of a mountain town with a brewery that forms the economic heart of the community also serves as a closed stage where the past of all its inhabitants and their connection to the tragedy that struck the community is gradually revealed.

Critics praised above all the strong voice performances and the sensitive treatment of themes such as grief, community solidarity, and hidden violence, even though some players missed the tension typical of previous entries in the series. True Colors confirmed that Deck Nine, after taking over the series from Dontnod, can preserve its emotional core and offer a full, self-contained continuation without losing the distinctive tone of the previous entries. On Xbox Series it is one of the most accessible entry points into the series for players looking for an emotionally driven story rather than action.

Why play it: Anyone looking for an emotionally driven story rather than action will find True Colors one of the most accessible and emotionally powerful entry points into the Life is Strange series.