Life is Strange: True Colors is the next mainline entry in the heart wrenching interactive adventure series, though it's easy to confuse it for a spinoff because of its title. Rumors about multiple new Life is Strange games started floating long before Life is Strange: True Colors got revealed at Square Enix's first digital direct showcase, adding to this confusion.
Like Life is Strange 2 beforehand, Life is Strange: True Colors introduces a brand new protagonist. Named Alex Chen, she yields the supernatural ability of empathy. While this is an example of how True Colors is making changes from past entries, one of the most crucial adjustments comes from ditching the numerology of its title.
Life is Strange True Colors is LiS 3 in All But Name
Life is Strange: True Colors is the third mainline entry in the game, which, in a way, makes it Life is Strange 3. However, there are plenty of reasons why the number three wouldn't make sense. For starters, Life is Strange: True Colors isn't a direct sequel to Life is Strange 1 or Life is Strange 2.
In an interview with the Stevivor website, Deck Nine Narrative Director Felice Kaun explained why this new entry isn't called Life is Strange 3. "We are embracing what Dontnod started," she says. Faun continued, adding that "part of the reason it's called Life is Strange: True Colors and not Life is Strange 3 is because it's a game that anybody can start with." Essentially, the big takeaway is that the game is being used as an entry point for the series, with the different name serving as a way to welcome in new players.
The decision to move away from numbered subsequent entries isn't surprising, and it's something that many long-running video game series tend to adopt sooner or later. Franchises such as Assassin's Creed and Battlefield have long moved away from numbered entries because of standalone releases. This decision ensures that every new entry seems a bit less daunting, making them more accessible to newcomers. Life is Strange now seems to be headed in the same direction, and with franchises like Resident Evil rumored to follow suit, it seems to be a growing trend.
Life is Strange 2 wasn't a direct sequel to Life is Strange 1 either, though the choices of the latter do reflect in the former. Players have to choose one of the two endings from Life is Strange 1, at the start of Life is Strange 2. Returning characters and subtle references from Life is Strange 1 also make their way to Life is Strange 2, further connecting the two games. On the other hand, Life is Strange: True Colors has only confirmed one returning character. The character in question comes from Life is Strange: Before the Storm, which is a prequel to the first game.
Another reason for calling Life is Strange: True Colors instead of Life is Strange 3 could be due to the change in the game's developer. Dontnod Entertainment handled the development of Life is Strange 1 and Life is Strange 2, whereas Life is Strange: Before the Storm was made by Deck Nine studios. Life is Strange: True Colors is not being developed by Dontnod, but Deck Nine, with the latter likely to be involved with future entries in the series.
Overall, Life is Strange: True Colors is a new start for the franchise, with Deck Nine now in charge. Whether it connects to Life is Strange 1 and Life is Strange 2 in more ways than one remains a mystery, but thankfully, fans won't have to wait much longer to find out.
Life is Strange: True Colors launches September 10, 2021, on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Stevivor