Life is Strange: True Colors

In conclusion, if you want a game that will shake up your emotions in ways you didn’t know you needed your emotions shaken, Life Is Strange: True Colors is a must-play.

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Buy Life Is Strange: True Colors on PlayStation Store. Embark on an emotional, narrative-led adventure where a unique power is the key to solving a thrilling mystery.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,438 reviews

story1,838 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and a beautiful setting in Haven Springs, Colorado.
The story is emotionally engaging, exploring themes of grief, friendship, and self-acceptance.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, making the emotional journey impactful.

The pacing of the story is slow, with some chapters feeling like filler and lacking depth.
Choices made throughout the game often feel inconsequential, leading to a predictable outcome.
The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 10-12 hours, which may not justify the full price.

story
4,689 mentions
39 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Life is Strange: True Colors" follows Alex Chen, a young woman with the ability to sense and manipulate emotions, as she navigates themes of grief, friendship, and self-acceptance while investigating her brother's mysterious death in the small town of Haven Springs. While many players appreciated the emotional depth and character development, some criticized the pacing and predictability of the plot, feeling it lacked the complexity and impact of previous entries in the series. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals, engaging soundtrack, and heartfelt storytelling, though some found it shorter and less impactful than earlier titles.
- “Set in the picturesque town of Haven Springs, the story delves into themes of grief, friendship, and self-acceptance as Alex seeks to uncover the truth behind her brother's mysterious death.”
- “Each decision, though subtle, ripples through the story like a pebble cast into a still pond.”
- “If you just want to come home, relax, experience a good story with lovely characters you fall in love with, in an idyllic little town and feel like you belong in the town of Haven Springs as the story tugs at your heartstrings, this is the game for you.”
- “The story is very bland and uninspiring.”
- “The plot twists are too convenient, like a fanfiction story on Wattpad, the outcomes too obvious and to top it off, there's no actual thought required in your choices.”
- “The story feels rushed, choices don't matter as much, they're not having a major impact on the storyline and I felt like it was kind of a short game.”
music
1,273 mentions
55 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Life is Strange: True Colors" has been widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, featuring a mix of original compositions and licensed tracks that resonate with players. Many reviewers highlighted the soundtrack's role in creating memorable moments, with some songs becoming personal favorites, while others noted that it may not reach the iconic status of previous entries in the series. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the storytelling and emotional experience.
- “Visually, the game is stunning, with vibrant graphics and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack, a mix of original compositions and licensed tracks, perfectly complements the game's mood and themes.”
- “The music is, as always, woven into the story flawlessly, creating that same unique Life is Strange universe atmosphere that was still present even in the second game.”
- “Many times music didn't fade, it just came to a halt.”
- “Everything feels so shallow and the lack of a good OST like in the first 2 games makes it 10 times more boring.”
- “The music doesn't quite land the way it did in #1 but it's acceptable.”
graphics
1,064 mentions
60 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Life is Strange: True Colors" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant art style, marking a significant improvement over previous entries in the series. Players have praised the detailed character animations, beautiful environments, and the effective use of lighting, which enhance the overall emotional experience of the game. However, some users reported technical issues, such as graphical glitches and performance inconsistencies, which detracted from the otherwise impressive visual presentation.
- “Visually, the game is stunning, with vibrant graphics and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.”
- “The graphics were gorgeous, the story was heartfelt and fun while also maintaining that intrigue and drama that made me fall in love with the original.”
- “The graphics and facial animation were top notch and with ray tracing on some scenes looked downright gorgeous.”
- “This game had more technical issues (crashing, graphical issues, weird flickering, frame drops) than it definitely should have.”
- “You're paying $60 for visuals only, not gameplay.”
- “Despite the improved UI and graphics, it is such a letdown from the other Life is Strange games but the atmosphere/vibes of the game is amazing and maybe as equal to the other Life is Strange games.”
emotional
1,022 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Life is Strange: True Colors" is widely praised for its well-developed characters and impactful storytelling, often leading players to tears. While many found the game to be a heartfelt exploration of themes like grief, empathy, and personal growth, some felt it lacked the emotional intensity of earlier titles in the series. Overall, it delivers a touching narrative that resonates deeply with players, making it a memorable experience despite some critiques regarding its pacing and emotional stakes.
- “The characters are well-developed and relatable, making the emotional journey impactful.”
- “The emotional highs are intense, and there are moments that genuinely tug at your heartstrings.”
- “A good emotional story led by fantastically written characters, and a flawed but lovable protagonist who, in my opinion, is very relatable.”
- “This game suffers from a horrendously boring story; there were very few moments that kept me invested and motivated me to keep playing, and you just don’t feel as strongly towards the characters that you did in the previous games.”
- “I mean, you can definitely buy it just to try it out, but don't get your hopes up for this game... for a fan of the original 'Life is Strange' series, it won't be as good as it might seem at first glance. For such a price and with such a boring story, I definitely do not recommend it.”
- “Boring story plot.”
gameplay
581 mentions
23 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Life is Strange: True Colors" retains the series' hallmark choice-based mechanics, allowing players to shape the narrative through decisions, though many feel these choices lack the impact seen in earlier titles. While the introduction of Alex's empathic powers adds a unique dimension, some players find the gameplay simplistic and the overall experience shorter than expected for the price. Despite its emotional depth and character development, the gameplay is often described as more of an interactive story with limited challenge, leading to mixed feelings about its value.
- “Gameplay features the series’ signature choice-based mechanics, allowing players to shape the story through meaningful decisions.”
- “Alex's empathic abilities are central to the gameplay, allowing players to delve into the emotional landscapes of the characters she encounters.”
- “The gameplay is fun, especially in episode 3.”
- “The gameplay is an improvement but it lacks the essence it needs.”
- “You're paying $60 for visuals only, not gameplay.”
- “The gameplay was meh.”
atmosphere
184 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Life is Strange: True Colors" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive soundtracks, and emotional depth, creating a cozy and engaging experience reminiscent of the original game. Players appreciate the small-town setting and the emotional connections between characters, although some note that the plot could be more complex. Overall, the game successfully captures a serene and heartfelt atmosphere that resonates with fans of the series.
- “Visually, the game is stunning, with vibrant graphics and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere, music, graphics, acting is amazing, probably best in the series.”
- “The atmosphere of haven springs is absolutely astonishing, the characters are complex with layers to peel like an onion, and the story is infused with heartfelt moments, intense lessons, and profound themes that make this game so beautiful.”
- “The characters were sweet but super bland, the scenery was gorgeous but felt very limited, and all of that can be applied towards the plot and general atmosphere.”
- “It can barely even match the atmospheres the previous titles had.”
- “The story and creepy atmosphere might be weaker than the original's, but its characters are such an improvement, and isn't that what Life is Strange is for?”
humor
97 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of lighthearted moments and witty dialogue, often providing comic relief amidst emotional storytelling. Players appreciate the engaging character interactions, particularly the humorous exchanges and quirky scenarios, such as the live-action roleplay segment, which elicited genuine laughter. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with poignant themes, making it an enjoyable experience that resonates emotionally with players.
- “The writing for the dialogue was good too between characters, especially with Gabe since he can be quite witty and funny.”
- “The characters have depth and humor which personally feels so much better.”
- “The story and character interactions range from sweet, funny, and delightful to powerful and heartbreaking.”
- “It should be translated into 'drag one's testis' if you want to add authentic vulgar jokes (not funny).”
- “It had a perfect combo of everything I needed in a game to have a great time - a combo of cringey but funny dialogues and monologues, distinct characters, captivating mystery, sad revelations, and decisions that made you think over them for a long time (even when they didn't mean much in retrospect, it really didn't bother me at all).”
character development
85 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in the portrayal of the protagonist, Alex, and her relationships. While some players noted significant improvements in character interactions and design, others felt that certain aspects of development were rushed or lacked depth compared to previous entries in the series. Overall, the game is recognized for its strong storytelling and character arcs, though opinions vary on the execution and pacing of these developments.
- “The storytelling and character development are top-notch.”
- “This game brings some of the strongest character development in the series and is very effective at getting you invested in the characters right from chapter 1.”
- “A standout feature lies in the excellent character development, serving as a powerhouse propelling the campaign forward in all its glory.”
- “It seems like there is less character development game-wide.”
- “There just didn't seem to be enough character development.”
- “The story felt a little bit rushed at times because a lot of relationship-building and character development seemed to have happened offscreen.”
optimization
71 mentions
42 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and frame rate drops, particularly when using high settings or ray tracing. While many praised the stunning visuals and improved facial animations that enhance the voice acting, others noted that the game demands powerful hardware to run smoothly, leading to frustration for those with mid-range systems. Overall, while the game is visually impressive and well-acted, its optimization leaves room for improvement, especially for players seeking a seamless experience.
- “The game just looks gorgeous and is well optimized.”
- “The facial animations are the biggest improvement, and when mixed with the phenomenal voice acting performances from all the cast, it makes such a massive difference to help feel the emotions to an even greater degree.”
- “Game performance is great, the world is beautiful with RTX shadows and reflections, and I haven't run into any major bugs.”
- “Had some minor stuttering and two crashes, but that's mostly due to DirectX 12 being a bit wonky as other people reported.”
- “While I had performance issues on my PC that I was unable to resolve (very jerky frames and texture popping, despite having well above the required specs), I still really enjoyed the experience overall.”
- “Running True Colors at full cinematic settings at 1440p caused a lot of stuttering on my system, even with an RTX 3080, and I had to knock it back down to very high.”
replayability
68 mentions
24 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The reviews on replayability for the game are mixed, with some players praising its multiple endings and significant choices that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others criticize it for limited variation in outcomes and a lack of impactful decisions. Many agree that while there are elements that can enhance replayability, such as collectibles and achievements, the overall experience may not warrant repeated playthroughs due to its short length and predictable narrative. Overall, the game offers decent replay value, but opinions vary widely on its significance.
- “The choices players make have significant consequences, adding a layer of replayability as different decisions lead to different outcomes.”
- “Beautiful visuals and a replayable story with relatable characters.”
- “The replayability is certainly there and I will be playing it multiple times to see how the other options affect the game.”
- “I got 4 of the six main endings and there isn't a lot of variation there, plus the lack of an ability to skip or fast forward hampers replayability.”
- “My hours played at the time of writing this review is the length of the game, there was an episode in amongst it where I struggled to stay awake and this game has zero replayability factor as it's predictable, uninspired and you're not left wanting to go back and make different choices just to see what happens.”
- “Word of warning though, the game is very short compared to previous titles and player choice has very little to no impact on the end of the game, which removes replayability.”
grinding
43 mentions
7 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
28 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Several comments highlight the need for excessive hours of gameplay to progress, leading to a sense of monotony and frustration. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback, making the game feel artificially prolonged and less engaging.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “The game tries to pass off tedious puzzles and quick-time events as gameplay, but it just feels like busywork.”
- “I really wanted to love this game, but there are just so many glaring problems with it that the process of playing it was tedious and disappointing at every turn.”
- “The game is not for you if you are someone who likes to spend 100+ hours mindlessly grinding a game.”
stability
37 mentions
11 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various visual glitches, such as flickering textures and character model issues, that can detract from the overall experience. While some users experienced crashes and significant bugs, others found the game to run smoothly with only minor issues. Overall, while the game boasts impressive visuals and storytelling, it suffers from stability problems that may require patches to enhance the experience.
- “From a technical standpoint, the game runs great.”
- “The story's good, graphics good, no glitches, a touching story where choices actually matter.”
- “However, I did experience visual glitches, from flickering shadows to textures often loading late.”
- “There is currently a known bug that still hasn't been fixed after months since its release where if you quit the DLC by any means, either pause > quit game or if your game freezes and closes, you lose your save file.”
- “The game glitches as soon as the main menu loads in and continues through the entire time I play it.”
monetization
12 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to its heavy reliance on advertisements and in-game chores that detract from the overall experience. Players feel that the game's focus on licensed music and promotional content overshadows quality gameplay, leading to disappointment and frustration, especially given the game's price point and the subsequent release of DLC shortly after launch. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to prioritize profit over player engagement and satisfaction.
- “Definitely not worth the price and feels like a cash grab.”
- “This is a game that spent more on licensed music and advertising than quality control and game testing.”
- “Feels like a cash grab with DLC month after game release for more money.”