Life is Strange: True Colors is a narrative videogame where the player's decisions determine the progression of the story. This title is the fourth chapter of the series, developed by Deck Nine, the company that created Life is Strange: Before the Storm. For the first time in the series, the game is not released in an episodic format, but is fully available from the beginning. However, did Deck Nine manage to evolve the existing formula of the series and bring a new milestone to the genre?

Firstly, it should be clear that this videogame does not include action elements, but rather consists of numerous dialogues and resembles more of a movie. The protagonist of the game is Alex, a girl who goes to the town of Haven Springs to meet her brother after several years. The aesthetics of the town are very "warm," with friendly residents and an atmosphere that reminds of a different era. Haven Springs is adorned with beautiful flowers, a lake, and snowy mountains, making it exceptionally picturesque. The action begins when a tragic event occurs and Alex is determined to uncover the dark secrets hidden in Haven Springs. Unlike its predecessors, Life is Strange: True Colors does not present many plot twists, and in order to prolong the overall duration, the developers use various means that contribute to this endeavor. Additionally, there are various (arcade) minigames that the player can engage with while exploring the town. The secondary characters do not present much interest except for those who actively participate in the story. However, the main flaw in terms of storytelling is the occurrence of events that have no reason to happen and simply occur to advance the story. In other words, there is a lack of realism in the narrative. It is also worth noting that there is no connection between this game and the previous chapters of the franchise.

Regarding the gameplay aspect, it remains faithful to the pattern of previous titles, with the protagonist's reactions to various objects, events, and decisions that will determine the continuation of the plot. A key characteristic of the series is the superpower that governs the protagonist. In this case, Alex has the superpower of empathy, meaning she has the ability to recognize the true intentions of other characters, "read" their thoughts, and act accordingly to serve her purpose. I believe it is the most interesting superpower we have seen so far, and it is implemented correctly where it should be. Additionally, optionally, through Alex's phone, a better acquaintance with the other characters and their personalities can be achieved through conversations, posts, and comments.

Technically, Life is Strange: True Colors shows improvements. For the first time, the characters' emotions are visible on their faces. This means there is an improvement in facial expressions. However, regarding the textures of the world, there is no notable progress. There were many instances during the journey in Haven Springs where blurry graphics and frame drops were observed. The sound is satisfactory, without presenting any significant evolution. The indie folk music accompaniment that follows the player throughout the exploration, however, follows the successful recipe of the series and manages to alleviate the mental anguish felt by Alex, offering beautiful moments of tranquility, calmness, and time for reflection.
The completion time of the game is estimated at around twelve hours. To unlock the platinum trophy, the completion of the story and the finding of all memories is required. Memories are dialogues that have taken place between other characters, and the protagonist can draw from them by using her superpower on various objects. They take the form of collectibles in a sense, similar to the graffiti in Life is Strange: Before the Storm.
In summary, Life is Strange: True Colors does not offer as compelling a story as its predecessors, but it introduces new elements in gameplay and shows slight technical improvements. Of course, in a story-driven game, the plot takes precedence and the rest is of secondary importance. In general, it is worth engaging with Life is Strange: True Colors because it presents tragic situations and appeals to the player's emotions. Love, hate, happiness, and pain are characteristic of this title, as well as the previous chapters of the series. For those who have not engaged with the games in the series, it is a good time to do so, especially at this price (€20). By completing these games, one comes to the conclusion that life... is strange...