The successful return of the virtual tearjerker – review of the game “Life is Strange: True Colors”

If, after shooting dozens of enemies, you want a moment of rest, the latest representative of the recognized series will be the perfect production for you.

The games from the Life is Strange series have so far reached a large thematic range. While the original revolved around a school drama and a surprisingly dark thriller, the second part focused on a road story and much more clearly emphasized elements of custom. The common points of the subsequent editions, however, were primarily two things – science fiction elements integral to the stories told and short- or long-term, but always inevitable consequences of our choices. Moments such as a dramatic conversation with Kate on the roof of the school building or the ending adventure in the sequel, the tear-wrenching sequence at the border crossing built the brand’s undeniable reputation for games that could defuse even the toughest tough guys. With a subtitleTrue Colors part three only confirms that when starting your adventure with Life is Strange , you should have a packet of tissues at your disposal.

Move us alive

The fact that we will once again face a story that will put emotions in the first place, we learn basically from the very beginning of the adventure. Here is Alex Chen – a girl dealing with her own sexuality, childhood spent in an adoption center and not as cool as it might seem, an extraordinary gift (or rather a curse?) Of reading the real feelings of people encountered, at the invitation of her long-lost brother Gabe ‘ and goes to the extremely charming town of Haven Springs. There he is to start a completely new chapter of his life, but it quickly turns out that this is only the beginning of another drama. When Gabe dies in unclear circumstances, it is Alex who will undertake the clarification of the whole matter.

The plot presented to us by the writers of the Deck Nine Games studio (which, for licensing reasons, probably replaced the original creators, Dontnod Entertainment for good), is once again the crème de la crème of the entire adventure. Avoiding going into the details that threaten with spoilers – we have a well-portrayed heroine, able to face adversities, a whole gallery of intriguing characters in the background, with the host of radio programs Steph or the owner of the local bar, Jedem, and above all, full of moments that tear at our souls. scenario. Exactly like the previous parts of the series, True Colors he also takes barriers to social commentary, for example on the subject of the aforementioned sexual identity – and although he does not always avoid a bit too literal message, he has his heart and intentions exactly where it should be.

Evolution instead of revolution

A completely new story, although maintaining the quality of its predecessors, will be explored through the largely unchanged gameplay. Our main task will still be to conduct conversations with other heroes, extract information and on this basis make subsequent decisions, visits to subsequent linear locations and simple interaction with the environment. There are also a few simple mini-games and scattered collectibles for ace lovers, but let’s agree – the gameplay itself is relatively small here and the whole thing should definitely be considered in the category of an interactive film than a production in which we will have a significant impact on the image of the world presented . Honestly speaking, it would be difficult to expect anything else from a representative of this series, and the recipient,

This does not mean, however, that there was completely no room for any novelties here. Apart from the change in the formula of the story, which means that all five episodes that make up the production are available from the very beginning, there are basically two of them. The first, less significant, although definitely building the reflective mood of the whole, are some “Zen moments” in which we can take our hands away from the mouse and keyboard for a few minutes, admiring the views created by the developers, seasoned with great music. It is, in a way, the equivalent of a sketching game from the second part – but if we took an active part in the game, True ColorsRather, it gives us time to digest the events we have experienced before. And there is something to think about, because this is exactly where the second novelty appears, that is, our Alex’s ability to read the feelings of encountered characters. On the one hand, it is a mechanism that is extremely easy to use, but on the other hand, it fits perfectly into the mood of the whole story, because it allows you to get to know other characters from a completely different side – and then use the information obtained. Can empathy be a superpower? In the new Life is Strange, we will find out more than once that it is.

Haven Springs as painted

The whole thing is embellished with a beautiful graphic design, a model of the artistic style known from previous editions, slightly drawn with a drawing line. Such a focus on artistry rather than detailing individual textures is the best recipe for the longevity of the frame and Deck Nine Games is well aware of this. Let us add to this the full spectrum of supersaturated colors and, as a result, the world presented will appear to us at times as a fairy-tale place – although paradoxically not devoid of a certain dose of idyllic realism. The magical effect is further enhanced by the soundtrack, which is basically the hallmark of the series, which extracts real gems of indie pop and rock, with tracks such as Home Gabrielle Aplin or Don’t Matter Kings of Leon formation.

So hard goodbyes

Although in my personal classification the story of Sean and Daniel from the second part will still remain the peak achievement of the cycle, Life is Strange: True Colors is without a doubt its worthy representative, not only successfully using the strongest points of the formula developed over the years, but also able to prove that the potential of the development of the brand is still enormous. While it will be extremely difficult to leave Haven Springs and Alex, during the end credits we will also feel the special kind of satisfaction that characterizes productions that managed to break us out of our daily lives for a while and provide moments of reflection on topics that usually leak through our fingers. And that’s exactly what we want to experience with Life is Strange .