Alex Chen in Haven Springs, Colorado. Image: Deck Nine / Square Enix
Life is Strange: True Colors is a narrative adventure from Deck Nine, released on 10 September 2021. You play Alex Chen, who can see and absorb other people's emotions, investigating her brother's death in a small Colorado town. Unlike earlier entries it released complete rather than episodically, and it is entirely standalone.
At a glance
| Developer | Deck Nine |
| Released | 10 September 2021 |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Mac |
| Structure | Five chapters, released complete (not episodic) |
| Length | ~10–12 hours |
Do you need to play the earlier games?
No. True Colors is fully standalone with new characters and a new setting. There are small nods for returning players, but nothing you need to know.
This is the most approachable entry point in the series. If you enjoy it, the original Life is Strange (2015) and Before the Storm are the natural follow-ups.
What is it about?
Alex Chen arrives in Haven Springs, Colorado, to reunite with her brother Gabe after years in foster care. Days later he dies in what is described as an accident, and Alex does not believe it.
Her power is empathy made literal: she sees strong emotions as coloured auras, can read what people feel, and can absorb that emotion into herself — which resolves the other person's distress and transfers it to her.
The mystery is a frame. The actual subject is grief, and how a small town's residents each carry something they are not saying.
How does the empathy mechanic work?
Better than the time-rewind of the original, because it is woven into conversation rather than used to undo mistakes.
Reading someone reveals what they are actually feeling underneath what they are saying, which unlocks dialogue options you would not otherwise have. Absorbing an emotion changes Alex's own behaviour temporarily — absorbing anger makes her confrontational, and you play the following scene in that state.
It creates real tension: helping someone always costs Alex something, and the game asks repeatedly whether that is fair.
Emotions appear as coloured auras — reading them opens dialogue you would otherwise miss.
What is the standout moment?
Chapter three, a live-action tabletop role-playing sequence staged across the whole town, in which Alex and the residents act out a fantasy adventure in costume.
It is warm, funny, entirely optional in its details, and it is where you decide how much you care about these people. Most players cite it as the best chapter in the game and one of the best sequences in the series.
What are the weaknesses?
The central mystery is predictable. Most players will guess the culprit well before the reveal, and the final chapter leans on a confrontation the writing has not fully earned.
Choices matter less than they appear. As with most narrative adventures, the branching affects character reactions and the ending more than the plot's shape.
It is gentle. Compared with the original's bleakness, True Colors is warmer and lower-stakes. Depending on your taste, that is either its greatest strength or a lack of teeth.
Is it worth playing in 2026?
Yes, especially if you want a self-contained story you can finish in a couple of evenings.
Technically it is the strongest in the series — full performance capture, a genuinely good soundtrack, and Erika Mori's performance as Alex is excellent. It is also complete at purchase, with no waiting between episodes.
It discounts heavily and appears in subscription catalogues regularly.
Where can you buy it?
- PC — Steam and the Epic Games Store
- PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo — via their respective stores
Buying advice
The Deluxe Edition adds Wavelengths, a bonus chapter starring Steph that runs about two hours and works as a prequel to the main story. It is worth having if you like Steph, optional otherwise. True Colors has appeared on Xbox Game Pass and in PS Plus catalogues, so check before buying.
A note on cracked builds: illegal, a known malware vector, and frozen at whichever version was cracked. This series is also among the most heavily discounted on Steam. IGGG Guides does not link to pirated software.
FAQ
How long is Life is Strange: True Colors?
Around 10–12 hours, plus roughly 2 for the Wavelengths bonus chapter.
Do I need to play the other Life is Strange games?
No. It is completely standalone.
Is it episodic?
No. Unlike earlier entries, all five chapters released together.
Does it have multiple endings?
Yes, determined by your choices and relationships throughout.
What is Wavelengths?
A two-hour bonus chapter following Steph, included in the Deluxe Edition and sold separately.
Is it connected to the Netflix-style TV adaptation?
No. It is its own story with no adaptation tie-in.
The verdict
True Colors is the most polished Life is Strange and the easiest to recommend to newcomers. The empathy mechanic is a genuine improvement on time rewind, Haven Springs is a warm and believable setting, and the tabletop chapter is a highlight of the whole series.
The mystery is thin and the tone is softer than the original. If you want a well-acted, emotionally generous ten hours, that is a fair trade.
Best for: newcomers to the series and anyone who wants a self-contained narrative adventure.
Skip if: you need gameplay depth or a genuinely surprising mystery.
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Last updated: 6 September 2026