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Life is Strange: True Colors

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Life is Strange: True Colors
Item: Life is Strange: True Colors
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2021

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Interactive Movie, Romance, Drama, Mystery, Single Player

AvailableSep 10, 2021

PlatformPC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One

DeveloperDeck Nine Games

Overview

Life is Strange is a series of award-winning and critically-acclaimed narrative adventure games. Discover a universe where everyday heroes wield supernatural powers, while dealing with real challenges, real relationships, and real emotions. It's our world... with a twist of the strange. No matter your choices, the experience will stay with you forever. Deep in the mountains of Colorado, you'll find Haven Springs, a small mining town filled with beauty and mystery. As Alex, you'll discover the shocking secrets behind your brother’s death in an emotional roller-coaster of an adventure, using your psychic power of Empathy to change fate and change lives.

Elsewhere

7.9

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

85%

Mixed (50-79)

15%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Life is Strange: True Colors has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics. Many critics praised the game's narrative, describing it as well-told, emotionally impactful, and thought-provoking. The story explores themes of loss, grief, and trauma, and tackles real-world issues in a sensitive manner. The protagonist, Alex Chen, is often highlighted as a relatable and caring character, with her unique power of empathy adding depth to the narrative. The game's small town setting and engaging cast of characters are also mentioned as strong points of the story. Critics such as Noisy Pixel, Guardian, and Digital Spy specifically commend the game for its exploration of heavy material and its ability to evoke powerful emotions. However, there are a few criticisms regarding the story of Life is Strange: True Colors. Some critics, like RPG Fan and Launcher (The Washington Post), felt that the plot lost its way at times and became shallow or predictable. The murder mystery element of the story was also mentioned as lacking consequence or being too predictable by Worth Playing and PCGamesN. Launcher (The Washington Post) also criticized the game for trying to do too much at once, including a murder mystery and a live-action role-playing game, which resulted in a lack of clarity in its message about empathy and processing emotions. Additionally, Launcher (The Washington Post) mentioned the game's slow start and lack of discussion about race, which made the diverse casting feel inconsequential. Overall, the majority of the critics found the story of Life is Strange: True Colors to be very good. The game's narrative received praise for its emotional resonance, well-handled themes, and likable characters. Critics such as Attack of the Fanboy, Comicbook.com, and God is a Geek consider the story to be one of the finest in the series. The central plot, character relationships, and the interweaving of a sleepy town's dark history were highlighted as particularly strong aspects of the story by Screen Rant and NintendoWorldReport. Despite some criticisms regarding predictability and the handling of certain elements, the overall consensus is that the story of Life is Strange: True Colors is engaging, impactful, and deserving of praise.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics overwhelmingly praise Life is Strange: True Colors for its emotionally impactful narrative, relatable protagonist, and exploration of heavy themes like loss and trauma. While some critics find the plot predictable or lacking depth at times, the majority applaud the game for its strong character relationships and engaging storytelling. Despite minor flaws, the general consensus is that True Colors delivers a compelling and thought-provoking experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

35%

Mixed (50-79)

65%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the gameplay of Life is Strange: True Colors, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted by the critics. The gameplay mechanics, particularly the protagonist's ability to visualize and experience other people's emotions, received praise from multiple reviewers. Attack of the Fanboy describes it as the best power in any Life is Strange game, while Destructoid finds the 'empathy' powers surprising and well-implemented, providing interesting and nuanced insights. TheSixthAxis also commends the satisfying puzzles present in the game. Additionally, reviewers such as Noisy Pixel, Nintendo Life, and GamingTrend appreciate the meaningful dialogue choices and story-changing effects, emphasizing the importance of player agency in shaping the narrative. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. RPG Fan criticizes the gameplay for feeling cookie-cutter and overly simplistic, suggesting a lack of depth and innovation. Launcher (The Washington Post) points out that the game doesn't delve into the morality of using the protagonist's powers and highlights the lack of impactful choices and outcomes. PC Invasion criticizes the pace and lack of urgency in the narrative, potentially affecting the overall engagement of players. COGconnected mentions the absence of challenging puzzles, which may disappoint those seeking more gameplay mechanics. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Life is Strange: True Colors offers an engaging gameplay experience. The ability to read and manipulate emotions, along with the consequential dialogue choices, adds depth and variety to the gameplay. The inclusion of mini-games, side quests, and exploration opportunities is also appreciated by reviewers. The positive aspects mentioned by critics such as God is a Geek, Gaming Age, and Cultured Vultures further support the notion that the gameplay mechanics are well-executed and contribute to an immersive narrative adventure. However, there are some criticisms regarding the simplicity of the gameplay, lack of impactful choices, and absence of challenging puzzles. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment suggests that Life is Strange: True Colors provides an enjoyable and engaging gameplay experience for fans of the series and narrative-driven games.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Life is Strange: True Colors receives praise for its innovative empathy powers, satisfying puzzles, and meaningful choices, offering an engaging gameplay experience. However, critics note issues with simplistic gameplay, lack of impactful choices, and absence of challenging puzzles. Overall, the game provides an immersive narrative adventure with room for improvement.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

60%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

In terms of the graphics and visual design of Life is Strange: True Colors, the majority of critics had positive opinions. Many reviewers praised the game for its detailed environments, improved facial animations, and exceptional character models. Attack of the Fanboy commended the graphical leap in True Colors, specifically highlighting the detailed environments and improved facial animations achieved through full-body motion capture. Worth Playing also praised the well-animated character models and impressive facial animation, which effectively conveyed intense acting with just the characters' faces. TheSixthAxis described the game as having a gorgeous high fidelity sheen and a picturesque and intricately imagined town of Haven Springs. These positive reviews highlight the attention to detail and artistic feel of the game's graphics, which were considered a noticeable improvement over previous titles. However, there were some negative opinions regarding the graphics and visual design of True Colors. Nintendo Life criticized the severe graphical downgrades on the Nintendo Switch version, citing a lack of detail and slow texture loading. Softpedia also mentioned outdated graphics with blurry textures and less detailed faces for some characters. Screen Rant specifically highlighted technical limitations in the Switch version, such as rudimentary visuals, slow texture loading, and long load times. These negative reviews suggest that the graphics may not have been optimized well for the Switch platform, leading to a less visually appealing experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Life is Strange: True Colors offers an impressive visual experience. The game's graphics were generally praised for their attention to detail, convincing character animations, and improved facial expressions. Reviewers such as RPG Fan, Cubed3, and Cultured Vultures specifically highlighted the visual upgrades of True Colors over previous games in the series, with spectacularly impressive visuals and beautifully rendered environments. The positive reviews outweighed the negative ones, indicating that the graphics and visual design of True Colors were well-received by the majority of critics. However, it is worth noting that the Nintendo Switch version received criticism for graphical downgrades and technical limitations.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Life is Strange: True Colors wows critics with its stunning graphics and improved visual design, receiving praise for detailed environments, exceptional character models, and impressive facial animations. While some critics noted graphical downgrades on the Nintendo Switch version, overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the game's attention to detail and artistic feel as a significant improvement over previous titles.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Life is Strange: True Colors received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many critics praised the game's soundtrack, describing it as fantastic, amazing, and top-notch. The inclusion of a variety of indie music, both licensed and original, was particularly highlighted, with critics mentioning that the music perfectly set the mood and enhanced the emotional impact of the story. RPG Fan even expressed a desire to listen to the soundtrack for years to come. The voice acting was also widely praised, with critics commending the excellent voice talent and the way it brought life and realism to the characters. Erika Mori's performance as the protagonist Alex Chen was specifically mentioned as phenomenal by Xbox Achievements. While the overall sentiment towards the Sound Design and Music of Life is Strange: True Colors was overwhelmingly positive, there were a few minor criticisms mentioned by some critics. Cubed3 criticized the implementation of the Live Stream mode to remove copyrighted music, considering it as low effort and laughable. PCGamesN mentioned a noticeable pop in the audio whenever there was a jump cut to a new shot, which slightly affected the audiovisual presentation. Easy Allies also pointed out that muting the soundtrack in streamer mode could make emotional scenes feel awkward, which could be a drawback for content creators. In conclusion, the Sound Design and Music of Life is Strange: True Colors received high praise from critics. The majority of reviewers found the soundtrack to be fantastic, with a great selection of indie music that perfectly set the mood and enhanced the emotional moments of the game. The voice acting was also highly regarded, with Erika Mori's performance as Alex Chen being particularly praised. While there were a few minor criticisms, such as the implementation of the Live Stream mode and occasional audio issues, the overall consensus among critics was extremely positive. The positive feedback from multiple critics supports the notion that the Sound Design and Music of Life is Strange: True Colors was very good.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics overwhelmingly praised the sound design and music of Life is Strange: True Colors, highlighting the fantastic soundtrack and exceptional voice acting that brought life to the characters. While some minor criticisms were noted, like issues with Live Stream mode and occasional audio pops, the overall consensus was highly positive, making it a standout aspect of the game.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

100%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Life is Strange: True Colors has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics. Many critics praised the performances for being strong, engaging, and contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game. Attack of the Fanboy mentions that the performances feel more nuanced and real, thanks to improvements in facial animations and full-body motion capture. Noisy Pixel commends the voice talent for doing a great job and describes the dialogue as amazing, covering a range of emotions. Nintendo Life specifically highlights the strong voice acting, particularly for the protagonist Alex Chen. Worth Playing adds that the voice work is excellent, capturing the right mix of standoffishness and kindness in the protagonist's voice. TheSixthAxis also notes the incredible voice acting, fitting perfectly within the setting. RPG Fan praises the voice acting for being strong and engaging, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game. Easy Allies emphasizes the phenomenal voice acting, particularly Erika Mori's performance as Alex Chen, which adds authenticity to the narrative. NintendoWorldReport specifically praises Erika Mori's portrayal of the powerful emotions of Alex Chen. God is a Geek describes the voice acting as honest and vulnerable, with Erika Mori delivering a sensational performance. Xbox Achievements also highlights Erika Mori's stellar performance, bringing the script to life. COGconnected describes Erika Mori's vocal performance as first-class. While the majority of critics had positive opinions about the voice acting, there were no negative opinions mentioned in the provided reviews. It is important to note that this analysis is based on the given opinions, and there may be other reviews or perspectives that express negative views on the voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Life is Strange: True Colors is very good. The performances are praised for being strong, engaging, and authentic, with Erika Mori's portrayal of Alex Chen receiving particular acclaim. The improvements in facial animations and full-body motion capture contribute to the nuanced and real performances. The positive reception of the voice acting adds to the overall enjoyment of the game and enhances the emotional impact of the narrative.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics unanimously praise the voice acting in Life is Strange: True Colors, highlighting strong, engaging performances that enhance the game's emotional depth. Erika Mori's portrayal of protagonist Alex Chen is especially acclaimed for its authenticity and power. No negative opinions were mentioned, with critics lauding improvements in facial animations and motion capture for adding realism to the performances.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

86%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance of Life is Strange: True Colors, there are both positive and negative aspects mentioned by the critics across different gaming platforms. Starting with the positives, on the PS5, Destructoid highlights a bug-free playthrough, indicating a high level of technical performance and stability. Gaming Age also mentions that the game runs smoothly on the PS5, despite occasional instances of long load times and framerate dips. Additionally, NintendoWorldReport states that the visual sacrifices and minor connection issues in the Switch port didn't significantly impact the overall experience. Moving on to the negatives, the Switch version of the game seems to have encountered more technical issues. Nintendo Life mentions severe graphical downgrades and slow texture loading, while Screen Rant notes slower load times compared to other versions. Daily Star also mentions technical issues on the Switch, such as texture popping, long load times, and occasional jarring between cut-scenes, although they state that these issues don't significantly impact the overall experience. Siliconera reports technical issues on the PS4 version, including low frame rates, texture pop-in, and visual glitches, but also highlights the availability of various accessibility options. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Life is Strange: True Colors has some technical issues across different gaming platforms. Noisy Pixel mentions graphical issues and long loading times on the PS5, while Cubed3 highlights visual blemishes, camera judder, t-poses, and issues with ray tracing on the same platform. Comicbook.com and Easy Allies acknowledge occasional graphical glitches and bugs, but still consider the technical performance to be stable. Xbox Achievements mentions long loading screens and 30 fps on next-gen consoles as drawbacks that can break immersion. COGconnected reports occasional glitches with the DX 12 version on PC and mentions sound bugs as a negative aspect of the technical performance. In conclusion, while there are positive aspects to the technical performance of Life is Strange: True Colors on platforms like the PS5, with bug-free playthroughs and smooth gameplay, there are also notable negatives, particularly on the Switch version, such as graphical downgrades and slow texture loading. The consensus among the critics is that the game has some technical issues across various platforms, including visual glitches, long load times, and occasional framerate dips. However, it is worth noting that some of these issues may be addressed in future patches, as mentioned by Cubed3 and Easy Allies.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praise Life is Strange: True Colors for bug-free play on PS5, but Switch version faces graphic downgrades and slow loading. PS4 and PC versions also have technical issues like low frame rates and sound bugs. Despite some positives, overall consensus is the game suffers from various technical problems across platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

20%

Mixed (50-79)

80%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Life is Strange: True Colors are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's multiple endings and the ability to make different choices that affect the outcome, which encourages players to replay the game. Critics such as Daily Star and Softpedia specifically mention the impact of choices on the ending, emphasizing the replay value. Noisy Pixel and NintendoWorldReport also mention the optional NPC stories and additional activities that provide more content for players to explore in subsequent playthroughs. These features contribute to the positive replay value of the game. On the other hand, there are a few critics who express some reservations about the replay value of Life is Strange: True Colors. Worth Playing mentions that the lackluster murder mystery element may make a second playthrough less appealing. This suggests that the game's narrative focus on character interactions in Haven Springs may be more compelling for replay value than the central mystery. Additionally, Easy Allies mentions that playing all chapters in quick succession may lessen the impact of the narrative. This implies that the pacing of the game might not be as effective for repeated playthroughs. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Life is Strange: True Colors offers a good amount of replay value. The game's multiple endings, impactful choices, and optional NPC stories provide incentives for players to revisit the game and explore different paths. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy, TheSixthAxis, and PCGamesN all mention the replay value of the game, further supporting this consensus. The positive aspects of the game's replay value outweigh the reservations expressed by a few critics, making it an appealing option for players who enjoy exploring different outcomes and choices.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics largely praise Life is Strange: True Colors for its strong replay value due to multiple endings, impactful choices, and optional NPC stories. Some critics note reservations, like the lackluster murder mystery element and pacing issues, but overall, the game offers incentives for players to explore different paths and outcomes.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

74%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Life is Strange: True Colors has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics, with the majority considering it a very good game. In terms of positives, the game is praised for its strong cast of characters and a desire to replay the game to experience different choices. Attack of the Fanboy commends True Colors for being a step in the right direction for the series, while Noisy Pixel highlights the beautiful story of empathy and new beginnings, along with the quality of character animations and voiced dialogue. Nintendo Life considers it the best game in the series, with likable characters and a fantastic narrative. However, there are some negatives mentioned by the critics. Noisy Pixel points out long loading times and strange responses that can hurt the pacing of the game. Worth Playing mentions that the murder mystery drags down the story, although fans of the franchise will likely still enjoy it. Launcher (The Washington Post) criticizes True Colors for lacking depth in its exploration of empathy and emotions, and for failing to address important themes and issues. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Life is Strange: True Colors is a highly recommended game. TheSixthAxis describes it as a beautiful game with a captivating story, stunning visuals, and a stellar soundtrack, making it a worthwhile experience. Destructoid highly recommends the game, stating that it has redeemed the Life is Strange series in their eyes. Digital Spy makes an extremely strong case for True Colors being the best game in the series yet, with an affecting story and standout protagonist. The majority of the critics appreciate the game's emotional depth, mature handling of mental health, and its ability to tackle tough topics. They also praise the writing, acting, and soundtrack, as well as the overall emotional impact of the game. In conclusion, Life is Strange: True Colors has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics. The game is praised for its strong cast of characters, replayability, beautiful story of empathy, and high-quality visuals and soundtrack. While there are some criticisms regarding pacing, technical issues, and the depth of exploration of certain themes, the overall consensus is that True Colors is a highly recommended game and a must-play for fans of the series, as well as newcomers.

TL;DR

Life is Strange: True Colors is a highly recommended game praised for its strong characters, replay value, and beautiful story of empathy. Critics laud its visuals, soundtrack, and emotional impact, despite some criticism for pacing and technical issues. Overall, it's considered a standout entry in the series and a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

MONSTER

Reviews

219 reviews found

CGMagazine

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Life Is Strange: true Colors strikes a human chord with its story and characters. It is a game that tries to say something about its subject matter and offers a remarkable protagonist. It is recommended to dive into true Colors knowing as little as possible and enjoy the journey.

COGconnected

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review concludes that Life is Strange: true Colors is a timely reminder of the importance of empathy and an adventure that kept the reviewer glued to it from start to finish. It praises the writing, acting, soundtrack, and emotional impact of the game.

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Comicbook.com

PlayStation 5

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Life is Strange: true Colors is a complex and emotionally resonant game that manages to deliver on its promise of exploring empathy. The story and gameplay are strong, despite some minor technical issues. It receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

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PC Invasion

Sep 10, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review highly recommends Life is Strange: true Colors, praising its emotional depth and maturity in handling mental health.

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Digital Spy

Oct 22, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review states that true Colors makes an extremely strong case for the best Life Is Strange game yet, with an affecting story and a standout protagonist. The town of Haven Springs is also praised. The reviewer expresses sadness at saying goodbye to the cast of characters and hopes to see Alex again.

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Cultured Vultures

PlayStation 5

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review states that Life is Strange: true Colors is arguably the best game in the series yet, praising its interactive elements and choices. It also mentions some minor criticisms regarding pacing and story similarities to the original game.

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Xbox Achievements

Xbox Series X

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Life is Strange: true Colors is a genuine return to form for the franchise, providing a perfect balance of emotions and proving to be another must-play.

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Destructoid

PlayStation 4

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer highly recommends the game, calling it their favorite thing they've played all year so far and stating that it has redeemed the Life is Strange series in their eyes.

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God is a Geek

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Life is Strange: true Colors is considered one of the best entries in the series. It is a powerful and emotional game that tackles important themes. The gameplay is improved, the characters are well-developed, and the story is captivating. It is highly recommended for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

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TheSixthAxis

PlayStation 5

Sep 8, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Life is Strange: true Colors is a beautiful game with a captivating story, stunning visuals, and a stellar soundtrack, making it a worthwhile experience.

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