Life is Strange: True Colors | Review in 3 Minutes

Will Cruz reviews Life is Strange: True Colors, developed by Deck Nine.
Life is Strange: True Colors on Steam: store.steampow...
Join KZbin Memberships and support our content for Early Access to new videos, exclusive Discord perks & more for just $2 per month ►► / @theescapist
Subscribe to Escapist Magazine! ►► bit.ly/Sub2Esca...
Want to see the next episode a week early? Check out www.escapistmag... for the latest episodes of your favorite shows.
---
---
Zero Punctuation Merch Store ►►teespring.com/...
Join us on Twitch ►► / the_escapist_official
Like us on Facebook ►► / escapistmag
Follow us on Twitter ►► / escapistmag
#LifeisStrangeTrueColors

[@theescapist]

Editor's Note: The game has not yet released on Switch and will be arriving this Winter. www.nintendo.com/games/detail/life-is-strange-true-colors-switch/ Sorry for the error!

[@Wii-R-online]

i was about to say something about that. lol

[@mantm400]

Just finished the game- if anyone is still on the edge after this review I just want to let it be known I finished it overnight... that isn't to say it's short, no this game is a perfect length, I never once felt like the story was dragging on or that it was skipping important beats. Life is Strange: True Colors had me too enthralled to quit. If you went out of your way to watch the review, then go the rest of the way and experience the game for yourself, I promise it's well worth it.

[@Hadaway_]

Each chapter is roughly 45min - 1hr if you rush. And if you fully explore everything they can be over 2 hours. You can get more than 6+ hours of gameplay if you fully explore and more than that if you go for different choices and endings.

[@GideonFrost]

@@Hadaway_ explore what exactly? The entire game is mostly one street and 3 stores

[@Hadaway_]

@@GideonFrost each chapter is full of different things hidden around in different places that add new dialog and expand gameplay. Just because something was or wasn't there in one chapter doesn't mean it is or isn't in the next. It's more than just the map. You don't necessarily have to search every inch. But it's not like most games where the map is exactly the same everytime. Unless, of course, you've already done everything

[@rikumajumder1558]

The ratio of price to length is criminal. Yes, it is too short.

[@BenG23]

@@rikumajumder1558 it’s on sale now so you good bro

[@88Opportunist]

Wow. The game looked like a step up but I wasn't expecting this much gushing in the review.

[@shadow-rc5oy]

I mean better then the train wreck part 2

[@teerboyd]

@@shadow-rc5oy i actually liked part 2 way more than i did the first.

[@Prodby_duke]

@@shadow-rc5oy part 2 was dope wth are u talkin about?

[@anggorogedewaseso169]

The resolution was a bit strange and felt just a little bit undeserved. The revelation of what happened in the mines were mixed with interesting idea but lacking impact from its execution. but everything else about this game is freaking amazing. The journey is definitely shines over the lacking resolution of the main conflict. The LARP chapter is one of the most exciting and beautiful thing I've experienced in a video game. This game moved me multiple times with its magical/mystical powers. Even though some of the conversation dialogues feels very life is strange-y it has improved a great deal.

[@BlueAversion]

Spoilers I’m curious if your actions really matter. Only 1.5 people stood up for me in the meeting but I still got the confession. Do you get it in all circumstances? How did it turn out for you?

[@franklinskies9604]

@@BlueAversion it does not matter how many people, in the end Alex uses her superpowers to make Jed confess. The game is very weak on the choice side

[@BlueAversion]

Just finished this. Without spoiling, I agree about some of the issues with the last chapter but that is really confined to the first half of that chapter due to how it disrupts the pacing. After it got back on track it was fine.

[@revzsaz9418]

Thanks for playing Will 🙏 Looks reeeeally good and I'm glad to hear the devs put in the work on conversation flow ☺️ Hope you're as well as you can be man 🍻 Cheers and thanks for all you make!

[@zakkapetas8732]

I dont know, if you played LiS 1, prequel and 2 there is no way that you wont be really disappointed by the true colors, unless graphics and walking around is your thing. If LiS came out with a movie, instead of really playing through, solving puzzles, that would be it.

[@Benny21]

If you ask me to choose one out of these games, I would always pick original Life Is Strange! True Colors definitely worth it through.

[@helcometowell9295]

Damn, I wanna play this. Wiil have to replenish my game budget asap

[@andrewhickinbottom1051]

Oh wow - i completely forgot about this, and i'm glad that its the full game (and not episodic), and that you reccomend it! Insta-buy! I love the lifeystrange games

[@ShalathePrinny]

Councilor Troy the videogame

[@Chablinho]

🖖🏽Fascinating

[@xavierabii548]

Honestly I had my doubts about this one but I may actually check it out now.

[@bantheundead4162]

Just finished the game and if you guys played the first 3 games I recommend this one 10/10 so good I love this one real tear jerker

[@WillCBlogs]

Tell em!

[@limmoh]

I like that Alex is an older and a more matured character than the previous girls. LIS1 is great I'm just glad its a nice change from angsty edgy hipster teenagers.

[@r.e.z9428]

Is the dialogue any better? I remember the first two games and it hurt to listen to and I found most of the characters unlikeable including the main protagonist.

[@r.e.z9428]

@@aturchomicz821 How so? The dialogue was atrocious, how can you listen to it and not groan?

[@r.e.z9428]

@@aturchomicz821 I mean amazing to laugh at. It was worse than a lifetime movie about teens.

[@MakeItAme]

try watching the review

[@lilbunno6449]

@@r.e.z9428 I lowkey find it charming? ig, its bad but so so good, its ok to not like it

[@r.e.z9428]

@@lilbunno6449 Never said it wasn’t.

[@MariaVosa]

Hefty price but it actually seems worth it!

[@TheDreadedZero]

Are there big graphics/performance differences between the ps4 and ps5 version?

[@SonPRO1102]

This game is so fucking good, easily the best lis by far

[@alfieakastacysmomakashortb5869]

Really? Is the story good? I just bought the game, haven't played it yet

[@SonPRO1102]

If u have already bought it, it’s better to go in blind m8

[@conceptualization101]

Will this one convert someone who likes the idea of the Life is Strange series on paper but hated the previous entries? I’m a big fan of narrative driven indie games (Gone Home, Edith Finch, Firewatch, Kentucky Route Zero etc) but couldn’t stand the writing in the original Life is Strange…

[@beigeocean5665]

I hope it does. Fandom's not that toxic and more the merrier. Why do you hate the OG LIS writing though ?

[@conceptualization101]

@@beigeocean5665 I admittedly have only played the first episode but I was excited by the years of overwhelmingly positive reviews and did sincerely attempt to get into it, even roping my partner into playing it with me. However, I felt that their attempts at playing with teen drama archetypes were so poorly written that all the characters felt like thin stereotypes playing out a load of lazy cliches and tired tropes. The characters actively annoyed me and, although I've been told that the slang is true to the Pacific Northwest, the dialogue and narrative felt like a 40 year old man's idea of how teenagers sound and act. My partner and I made the choice to stop and read the plot synopsis online and, without giving any spoilers, I couldn't be more glad that we did. I was told that the sequel series was worse in every way, so I didn't even attempt it and read the plot synopsis online. Again, I have no regrets with that decision. Dontnod doesn't seem to be big on subtlety and nuance and their willingness to tackle social issues does not compensate for the contrived melodrama and shark jumping plots. I'd like to reiterate, that I'm not some too-cool-for-school critc and I sincerely want these games to be good. I'm a huge fan of narrative indie games and, based on its positive reviews, I even have Tell Me Why currently installed. What little I've played of it does feel like an improvement and, while it can be a little on the nose at times, the writing has been fine so far. I'm really hoping that it stays that way but nothing I have seen so far has put my reservations to rest. This is why Will's glowing review for this latest installment of Life is Strange has piqued my curiosity. I sometimes feel like the insane person in the room for hating the orignal Life is Strange games and want to know if this might be the one to convert me or if it is more of the same...

[@conceptualization101]

@@beigeocean5665 Just read a review that is very encouraging. Mentions that this one is more grounded, the dialogue is more natural, the protagonist is more likable, the power is not just an exposition device to "tell" instead "show" etc...

[@beigeocean5665]

@@conceptualization101 I'm a huge fan of the original but I can concede that the writing's kinda cheesy at times. It does add to the charm for me though. As for True Colors, well it seems to be the best in the series. Story-wise, the stakes are kinda lowered but more grounded and the dialogue seems more natural. Probably because it's easier to write a bunch of adults instead of teenagers.

[@dokidoki-t7e]

Not as good as the original, but still solid (and a good review!)

[@Buxus]

Well its my least fav life is strange yet. It feels shorter, story not nearly as interesting as before. Its still ok like i wouldn't call it bad but it didn't meet my expectations sadly.

[@mantm400]

Life is Strange 1 could be beaten in less than 4 hours. Life is strange 2 would take around 15-16 hours. True Colors takes around 12 hours. I don't know what you mean shorter, and not as interesting. Everyone's entitled to their opinions but the time statement is pretty exaggerated.

[@Buxus]

@@mantm400 i ment it felt shorter than life is strange 2 witch is. It felt short because (in my opinion it wasn't as action-packed as LiS 1 and 2, especially 2. )

[@Unknown-zn8cg]

@@mantm400 stop bullshitting, LIS1&2 are both 8-9hours each.

[@spectreagent00]

Is the game longer considering its twice as expensive? Or is the price due to the improved graphics?

[@WillCBlogs]

Roughly the same duration. Price hike is rough. Tbh, the ultimate edition offers the most bang for your buck (assuming you're interested in the remaster of LiS & LiS BtS.

[@jasonblalock4429]

Yeah, I just got sticker shock. I want to play this (and I'm happy Steph comes back in this one) but $60 is too much.

[@teehee3657]

@@jasonblalock4429 Yeah I would wait til it's on sale. Just finished it and it was great but I wouldn't say worth the hefty price.

[@mantm400]

Life is Strange 1 was pretty damn short. True Colors felt like a good length though. If the only factor you consider when buying a game is how long it is, then try to broaden your horizon on what makes a game worth picking up, because though True Colors isn't a 30+ hour story, it's a nice one that wraps up exactly where it should. Never overstaying it's welcome without also feeling like it left too soon.

[@sirprintalot]

Damn this actually sounds like it could be better than the original.

[@alexanderulv3886]

I think the reviewers are saying almost.

[@kutlumzrak2689]

It's... real close.

[@mantm400]

It really is. Just finished it and I can say it really is. It's everything amazing about the first game and more.

[@SonPRO1102]

By far

[@kalzangtopgyal5304]

@@mantm400 but steam most of the reviews says that game is very short (10hrs) and I really think it's not worth 60dollars if it is that short...

[@StarfallShadow]

I think I’m gonna wait until the 30th to play the prequel first before playing True Colors.

[@WillCBlogs]

Fair. Smart move.

[@TheAmagiDark]

This game made me bored really fast no gonna lie

[@mariacillan9668]

Understandable, ngl. There's barely anything that captures your attention in episodes, and you have to wait until something interesting actually shows up.

[@TheAmagiDark]

@@mariacillan9668 In the other games something happened within the first 15 Mins, Max using Rewind, Rachel showing up, Sean's dad dying. In LIS TC nothing happens until the end of the chapter that's why I think it's boring.

[@hoeraufist]

But what do you *do* in the game?

[@kutlumzrak2689]

Practically the same thing you do in any other narrative game. Explore, talk to people, find clues in the environment, unlock more conversation... Added bonus, use empath powers to read emotions.

[@mantm400]

There is a lot of dialogue choices and decision-making. But unlike other titles in the series, True Colors has depth to your exploration. You can find choices and outcomes that could be completely missed and never know till you're at the end of a chapter. Leaves you wanting to come back again to see what you could do differently. (And not to bring out any spoilers but there's a cute and fun RPG section at one point in the game that had me smiling the whole time.)

[@GayBearBro2]

Thank you for the review! I've thought about trying the series since I've seen the others on and off sale regularly. Maybe I'll jump in on this one (when it's on sale).

[@teerboyd]

They’re tripping if they think im about to spend $60 for this game. I respect the devs but thats a little much for a game that’s literally finished after 10 hours.

[@chuckyluvsu13]

I absolutely love this game !! Thank you for the great review.

[@spaz_ol4485]

Thanks!

[@theescapist]

Thank you!

[@Chablinho]

I love life is strange, but I'll wait for a sale.

[@soulslikefan6760]

Ya, I only liked LIS because of the time travel. Im sure some people liked the story, but definitely not for me.

[@sirprintalot]

The twee Alt-J soundtrack whilst staring out of a window-gameplay wasn't a lot of fun in retrospect.

[@Unknown-zn8cg]

This game is extremely disappointing. The plot is non existent. There are no high stakes. The new power is very linear and doesn’t add to the game like time travel and telekinesis. The endings are based solely on romance options. There is no satisfaction after episode 1, it’s literally just slice of life gameplay. Choices barely matter and the cast of characters stays the same throughout the whole game. There’s no suspense or mystery. The game is the exact same as Twin Mirror, I thought Twin Mirror was a predictable hollow experience when I played it, and LIS3 is the exact same (literally exact same plot and environments) DONT waste your money on this game, hours will go by and so will chapters, and you’ll be waiting for something to actually progress, but it doesn’t. LIS1 had a murder mystery plot with suspense,danger,mystery and symbolism. LIS2 had suspense and danger, but it wasn’t anywhere near as good as LIS1. BTS was a great game for fans of LIS1,and it showed how sad the loss of Rachel Amber was to Chloe, and the player. LIS3 has you walking around, helping people feel better. That’s it.

[@WillCBlogs]

Cool opinion!

[@ogproductionsx]

Facts

[@UnlimeitedMK]

good review i liked lis1 and the spinoffs around it i hated lis2 it turned me off the other games is this game woke ? is the question its on ganepass so i can play it without losing to much

[@ogproductionsx]

@@UnlimeitedMK LIS is easily a 7/10 I can’t say the first chapter is good nor is the second as much but afterwards it picks up a bit. It isn’t as good the options aren’t as crazy & sadly the game is 30FPS doesn’t even feel smooth as it should for next gen & you can’t skip NO cutscenes or fast forward it in anyways.

[@hypernova8234]

Literal facts. Perfect review

[@FjongFleron]

Hi there!

[@BroAnarchy]

Should i be worried that I've never heard of this series before? The visuals and graphics look superb in this game

[@amandajulie1554]

you should play the first two, it’s not connected but they’re just as good!

[@r.e.z9428]

Depends if you don’t mind cringe-inducing dialogue through the entire game and unlikeable characters.

[@splash._]

You can jump in right away, all the other games are only loosely connected

[@cecilia8515]

@@r.e.z9428 Have you even tried this new game? It looks much better.

[@cecilia8515]

@@floydeepie Why do you have to be so condescending? There is nothing wrong with being transgender.

[@AmritpalMoga]

Hella cool..

[@henrytownshend8862]

Release tomorrow though

[@CyberScoundrel]

This game was such a pleasant surprise! I really didn't expect it to be the quality level that it is. Still not perfect in its story telling, particularly with how it executes its reveals at the end, however the areas this improves on are very impressive and I can't wait to see what the next installment will be in this new era they have seemed to have dawned :D

[@canned_can_chan4590]

oh i agree so much. the ending was kinda anticlimatic to me but the whole journey is so cool

[@5violin533]

Saw this vid thinking it already released 😞

[@Unknown_Programmer]

It releases in like an hour

[@na3xxhsbsjakgxx450]

the second has gripped and teared at my little heart- It is way better then the first and is unironically one of the best games i have EVER played.. the story was just amazing and beautiful. this one… is looking like a downgrade. the story and the power itself just seem ??? dull.

[@kazusenshi9351]

I just don't see why people think this game is so great... Ive never played it... But why should i? She just has the power of mood ring and that's it... Game developers please stop making tell tale games because after awhile they are boring..... Especially if you know what's already going to happen... -_- this game would have been a better movie instead of a game.... If you're a fan of mystery games then play L.A. NOIR. Playing as a mood ring might be awesome to causal gamers but this idea is just... Thin. Like that's it? If you enjoy the game cool but.. I need something more maybe different powers then just being a mood ring? (If you can explain to me why this game is so awesome besides storytelling then plz do)

[@shiitakebacon5590]

Er isn't that the same for every game lol. Once you've played through a game, there's no point to jump in again since you pretty much know what is going to happen next, except this time maybe you're trying to play in higher difficulty 💁🏻‍♂️

[@richfundinterntional9019]

the best game this year and 2022

[@krayzieridah]

Since we're not getting anything Telltale related for a while now, this is definitely one of the ''must-play'' titles on my list. I can't wait. I hope it will be better than the last part though.

[@Unknown-zn8cg]

Don’t get it, it’s a walking simulator. Literally no gameplay except for holding R2 and moving the camera to walk around. Unlike telltale, quantic dream and LIS 1&2, the powers add nothing to the gameplay and story.

[@plutomissing6084]

This is the best lis game.

[@xnortheast1106]

Nope

[@plutomissing6084]

@@xnortheast1106 it is.

[@sam_hm_]

Nope

[@plutomissing6084]

@@sam_hm_ what’s the best then?

[@hypernova8234]

Nope

[@scats4679]

Only thing better in this game is the graphics in my opinion, I just don’t like this one for some reason.

[@Logan-dn6uv]

This game was okay..

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

I am really not sure about the wooden characters. I can see why they went for realism as their environment totally delivers that. But the slightly more stylized people (or maybe it just looked that way, because of the younger kid) of the second series did a much better job to keep the look outside the uncanny valley, which cannot be said about the little robots shown here.

[@TheCreepypro]

I watched the first game being played and just couldn't get into it but this seems more like something I would enjoy

[@Pittaz]

Added to my list

[@GuzziHeroV50]

I got so bored during LiS: Before The Storm. Might give this a try.

[@WillCBlogs]

Honestly, same. True Colors is leagues ahead of Before the Storm IMHO.

[@patrickhoneyman9019]

I own it but haven't given it a go yet. Are you able to say why it was boring without getting into spoilers?

[@GuzziHeroV50]

@@patrickhoneyman9019 Basically, a lot of scenes which were not at all necessary to the plot that were very slow, clunky and take way too long to complete. With LiS, even the slower analysis segments such as in the junkyard gave you the feeling you were doing things for a reason. BtS, a lot of such segments are longer and ultimately mean nothing.

[@patrickhoneyman9019]

@@GuzziHeroV50 Thanks for replying. I'm near the end of Trails of Cold Steel IV atm so I very much know how that feels (I've enjoyed the games but they are quite guilty of having dialogue for the sake of it). I'll still give Before the Storm a go sometime to see if I gel with it or not though.

[@GuzziHeroV50]

@@patrickhoneyman9019 You're welcome :) happy gaming!

[@rexyz5875]

Worst life is strange game by far, her powers was cringe imo

[@Unknown-zn8cg]

I completely agree

[@gavinthomas87]

@Will - nice video

[@deebzscrub]

Wow maybe this one is actually worth checking out. I didn't like the first one much because it felt so wooden.

[@benistcreative]

Why does she look like her Twitter Bio is " I am 13 and my thoughts are deep"? I love Life is Strange and will probably give this game a try but her design is just so much worse than Rachel, Chloe or Max which had great designs that showed you what their deal is and made you want to learn about them

[@benistcreative]

​@@seanbirch9663 that's why i said I will give the game a try, i am not opposed to having my oppinion changed. maybe Alex is written better than her design makes her out to be. in that case she will make for a great addition to the franchised. but it's not a far feched idea that a 3rd game in a series can fall off compared to previous works.

[@WillCBlogs]

@@seanbirch9663 perfect response. I understood that reference.

[@jbeachboy100]

game is boring, dont play or buy it.

[@jaylenhioe2868]

One day left until the game comes out.

[@onlyacomentarynothingspeci2419]

Best one so far

[@gogeterdone]

Looks woke without the obnoxiousness and artfull without the pretentiousness. I'll give it a shot👍

[@justinfarischon7868]

I never cared for Life is Strange. It was another walking simulator is a sea of walking simulators.

[@schijtinmnbroek]

it's a story where you bond with the characters

[@justinfarischon7868]

@@schijtinmnbroek That is goal of most stories. The only thing that really changes is how the author wants you to bond with the characters. I do not see what your point is.

[@lilbunno6449]

Well the best thing about games...no ones making you play a game you dont want to : )

[@justinfarischon7868]

@@lilbunno6449 That is true.

[@xshadowscreamx]

People like choose your own adventure stories.