Life is Strange: True Colors

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. PC Games
    Sep 12, 2021
    70
    Life is Strange: True Colors is the newest addition to the Life is Strange universe. This time, the special power of main character Alex is her talent to sense the emotions of others. The presentation is quite charming, the characters are well-written and the story is exciting, if not predictable. Unfortunately, the gameplay is quite boring and we encountered some technical problems.
  2. GameSpot
    Sep 9, 2021
    70
    There is light that developer Deck Nine just never allows darkness to touch, and there is joy to be had in being able to play some small part in making sure they all do better. But the disconnect between that vibe and the turmoil that brought Alex here to begin with is tangible, and the game would achieve brilliance if those two concerns could connect. Dropping by Haven Springs is still time well-spent--but it's simply a pleasant visit, rather than a powerful, emotionally resonant one.
  3. Jeuxvideo.com
    Sep 8, 2021
    70
    Life is Strange: True Colors is an experience that can be appreciated in the sweetness of its journey, sublimated by shimmering colors, animations more accomplished than ever and very beautiful melodies. With this episode, Deck Nine Games chose to explore empathy from top to bottom; a preponderant aspect in the powers granted, the narration and the construction of the characters. The whole provides a very neat adventure on a human level, but which undeniably lacks a certain liveliness in its actions and the unfolding of the plot. The result is an investigation that lacks a certain panache.
  5. Riot Pixels
    Nov 19, 2021
    67
    True Colors is the most “alive” Life is Strange so far thanks to a technological leap, but it lacks spark and tries to compensate for it by referencing or imitating the original game.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Sep 8, 2021
    That, I think, was always the strength of Life Is Strange anyway. People liked spending time with Max and Chloe. I'm long since past the point where people listening to mimbling guitar while looking out the window is anything but annoying to me now, but True Colors moves the series forward, and is perhaps a better reflection of how the teens who might have loved the original Life Is Strange games are growing up, too. Alas, as much as I liked its enjoyable cast and Alex's interesting empath powers, the rest of True Colors just falls short of true brilliance. Life Is Strange games are often given to painting their issues in black and white rather than shades of grey, and I'm disappointed True Colors ended up using such a limited palette, too.

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best PC Game of 2021
32
#32 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 280 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 153 out of 280
  2. Mixed: 65 out of 280
  3. Negative: 62 out of 280
  1. KevinG9999
    Sep 14, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. The game is way too slow at the beginning and rushed at the end. The superpower is quite irrelevant and useless. You learned a lot by accessing the past events through designated objects but have no use for that information. You can absorb people's emotions but you can do it twice throughout the game with no consequences. You rarely have a chance to use your power, and most of it is insignificant. You don't establish a real connection with anyone except the one you romanced, and it's so obvious. At the end of the game where you confront Jed, those who decided to help you later on sit awkwardly silence at the beginning. To the point that I feel Alex is totally alone in this scenario, despite her running around trying to help people. I helped Charlotte on the biggest role with Ethan, I helped Eleanor by telling Riley about her condition and her tasks in flower shop, I helped Mac's relationship and his mental breakdown, I helped Riley for telling the truth about Eleanor, I helped Ryan from suicidal thought, and I helped Ethan for his boring long game. What did I get in return? NOTHING, because most of them didn't even show up; they just... disappeared. These characters are extremely selfish, and what is the point of helping them except keeping the game longer. At the end, I decided to **** this town and left with Steph, and the game gave me an unsatisfied ending. NO ONE, those I helped, even go out and say good bye; even Gabe disappeared after my decision without words. NO ONE CARE ABOUT YOU. Improved graphics and good musics, but too many plot holes. A total waste of time.… Full Review »
  2. Fuse00
    Sep 12, 2021
    4
    The main problem is, the game is boring. It has no intrigue, no complex relationships between characters, as it was in LiS 1, no road movieThe main problem is, the game is boring. It has no intrigue, no complex relationships between characters, as it was in LiS 1, no road movie dynamic with variety of new characters and locations as it was in LiS 2. Superpowers of the main character are useless. She can see the emotional aura, but in most cases the emotion is obvious even without her "power", like the guy is yelling - red aura, he's angry, the golden aura -he's happy (which is obvious because he's laughing).

    Plus, devs decision to make main character introvert geek girl again(!) looks like a hope to trigger LiS 1 fans and nothing more than that. Alex is the quite shallow character, she has no charisma of her own, I personally feel no empathy to her which makes it difficult for me to involve myself into the local drama.

    The town is nice, graphics is good, mocap looks great in cutscenes. Nothing else could be said about this game.    … Full Review »
  3. TheTrashBoi
    Sep 11, 2021
    10
    An immense improvement over Life is Strange 2, bravo Deck Nine! The game is a bit pricey though and the game is shorter than previous mainlineAn immense improvement over Life is Strange 2, bravo Deck Nine! The game is a bit pricey though and the game is shorter than previous mainline entries so I do recommend buying this on sale though. I loved Alex’s story so much and I can’t wait to see what Deck Nine do next in the future.… Full Review »
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