Name: Wasted Potential
Item: Life is Strange: True Colors
Rating: 7
Author: Jezreel Ian Manuel

I am honestly one of those people who was hyped upon hearing this third official installment of the Life is Strange series. The first and second LiS really set up the pace and got my expectations too high. The story of Max makes me mess up with time and was entertained. On the other hand, the story of Sean made me realize that choices do really matter in the entire game. Both of the series have an extraordinary soundtrack which added more depth to the game. But then, here comes Life is Strange True Colors. I don't really get the hype of this game. I think this is overrated to some extent.

  

Alex Chen's power is another thing, to begin with, I honestly like how she can read the aura's of other people, her interaction with the NPCs, the voice acting, and the performances(which I really like. It is too believable). The first 2 chapters are at a slow pace which is kinda understandable given the fact that it usually establishes her relationship with the game characters and settings themselves. I was pretty entertained at that time. And now the next chapter comes in. It really felt like at this point that those actions and choices I make will not really matter in the end game which I honestly expected given the cliche dialogues and encounters. Life is Strange 2 is the only game for me that made me realize that all of the choices from the first episode really do matter. True Colors really never explored these choices and only presented us with some choices that are cliche and too good to be true. I like how she taps into others' emotions,s, to be honest. And then what? Although Alex's interaction with another character will impact the end game, it doesn't really give me this kind of emotional attachment feeling I felt from Max and Chloes' relationship from the previous title. There is no emotional trauma, there are no questions that need to be answered.

  

The plot twist of this game got me but then overshadowed by the LARP chapter. The only choice you have after revealing Jed's true color is either to forgive him or condemn him. And then what? Both choices do not really matter at this time since whatever choices you have made, will not change the fact that he did that in the past. I don't see the sense in that. Lastly, the ending will only depend on whom you have chosen to date during the Spring Festival. I mean that simply doesn't make sense at all. Alex, Ryan, and Steph are a good trio. The love interest that was set between them really ruins it. Basically, it's your choice if you want Alex to be straight or gay. Then that's the final cutscene. I don't know, but this game really lacks the emotion and darkness that the previous LIfe is Strange series gave me.

  

One final thing, when I heard about Max and Chloe from Lis 1 and Sean from Lis 2. There is an automatic playlist that will play on my mind. This time, Life is Strange true colors didn't give me that kind of feeling and it sucked.

  

**VISUALS**

_Artistry: 12/12_

_Technical Merit: 6/8_

  

**SOUND DESIGN**

_Music: 7/12_

_Sound Effects & Vocals: 8/8_

  

**INTERACTION**

_Control & Interface: 7/8_

_Player Agency: 7/8_

_Accessibility: 3/4_

  

**MECHANICS**

_Feedback & Fun: 7/10_

_Depth: 3/5_

_Variety: 2/5_

  

**CHARACTER**

_Narrative: 3/8_

_Heart: 2/6_

_Originality: 3/6_

I am honestly one of those people who was hyped upon hearing this third official installment of the Life is Strange series. The first and second LiS really set up the pace and got my expectations too high. The story of Max makes me mess up with time and was entertained. On the other hand, the story of Sean made me realize that choices do really matter in the entire game. Both of the series have an extraordinary soundtrack which added more depth to the game. But then, here comes Life is Strange True Colors. I don't really get the hype of this game. I think this is overrated to some extent. Alex Chen's power is another thing, to begin with, I honestly like how she can read the aura's of other people, her interaction with the NPCs, the voice acting, and the performances(which I really like. It is too believable). The first 2 chapters are at a slow pace which is kinda understandable given the fact that it usually establishes her relationship with the game characters and settings themselves. I was pretty entertained at that time. And now the next chapter comes in. It really felt like at this point that those actions and choices I make will not really matter in the end game which I honestly expected given the cliche dialogues and encounters. Life is Strange 2 is the only game for me that made me realize that all of the choices from the first episode really do matter. True Colors really never explored these choices and only presented us with some choices that are cliche and too good to be true. I like how she taps into others' emotions,s, to be honest. And then what? Although Alex's interaction with another character will impact the end game, it doesn't really give me this kind of emotional attachment feeling I felt from Max and Chloes' relationship from the previous title. There is no emotional trauma, there are no questions that need to be answered. The plot twist of this game got me but then overshadowed by the LARP chapter. The only choice you have after revealing Jed's true color is either to forgive him or condemn him. And then what? Both choices do not really matter at this time since whatever choices you have made, will not change the fact that he did that in the past. I don't see the sense in that. Lastly, the ending will only depend on whom you have chosen to date during the Spring Festival. I mean that simply doesn't make sense at all. Alex, Ryan, and Steph are a good trio. The love interest that was set between them really ruins it. Basically, it's your choice if you want Alex to be straight or gay. Then that's the final cutscene. I don't know, but this game really lacks the emotion and darkness that the previous LIfe is Strange series gave me. One final thing, when I heard about Max and Chloe from Lis 1 and Sean from Lis 2. There is an automatic playlist that will play on my mind. This time, Life is Strange true colors didn't give me that kind of feeling and it sucked. VISUALSArtistry: 12/12Technical Merit: 6/8 SOUND DESIGNMusic: 7/12Sound Effects &amp; Vocals: 8/8 INTERACTIONControl &amp; Interface: 7/8Player Agency: 7/8Accessibility: 3/4 MECHANICSFeedback &amp; Fun: 7/10Depth: 3/5Variety: 2/5 CHARACTERNarrative: 3/8Heart: 2/6Originality: 3/6

Life is Strange: True Colors

Wasted Potential

Player Score

Jezreel Ian Manuel