Today marks the release of Life Is Strange: True Colors, following the story of Alex Chen as she tries to uncover the mysterious details surrounding her brother’s death. With a fourth release in the series, we took the time to decide once and for all, the best Life Is Strange games. As such, you can find our ranking of all four games from worst to best below.
Don’t agree with our ranking? Join in the discussion in the comments below and let us know your reasoning. Let’s keep it civil, though. That’d be hella cool.
4. Life Is Strange 2
Best Life Is Strange Games, Ranked
Let us get this out of the way from the off. Life Is Strange 2 wasn’t a bad game. It just didn’t quite hit the mark following the original game and the prequel spin-off, Before the Storm.
Sean and Daniel’s adventure took the form of a road trip, deviating from the series’ focus on a particular small town locale somewhere in the U.S. of A. After their father was killed by a cop, and younger sibling Daniel freaks out, unleashing a telekinetic blast launching the cop cars (and cops) flying, the two must go on the run, heading for the Mexican border to live with family there. Of course, the journey is more important than the destination here, with the pair meeting all kinds of weird and wonderful characters along the way while Daniel tries to get to grips with his newfound powers.
As cool as Daniel’s telekinesis power sounds on paper, though, it didn’t really do much for the gameplay. It always felt a bit like a gimmick, and honestly, Daniel got slightly annoying after a while. I know, I know, that was the whole point. We weren’t in control of him or his powers and the relationship dynamics between the brothers was at the heart of the story, but it just didn’t resonate with us in the same way Max, Chloe, or Alex’s adventures did in the other games.
Add into that a dashing of weak writing and some disappointing ‘touch choices’ to make and Life Is Strange 2 ends up at the bottom of our list. But hey, at least we got to meet some great characters along the way. Cassidy and Lyla returning when?
3. Life Is Strange: Before the Storm
Best Life Is Strange Games, Ranked
Trust me when I say trying to decide the ranking for this was one of the toughest things I’ve done all year, but after many a conversation with my fellow Twinfinite staffers, this is where we landed.
Life Is Strange: Before the Storm is fan-service at its finest (to quote The Verge). Having established Chloe Price as a hardened bad-ass in the original game, Before the Storm introduced us to a completely different Chloe. One that’d partake in a school play at the last second just to make someone else happy. Are we talking about the same Chloe? Yes, yes we are.
Before the Storm followed Chloe and Rachel Amber’s relationship from its small beginnings right to the tragic, heartbreaking ending that sees Rachel meet her untimely end. They uncover the true identity of Rachel’s mother and find out her dad’s a bit of an asshole. But they’ve got each other, and ultimately to them, that’s all that matters.
Heck, Before the Storm even has some of the strongest ‘major decisions’ of the series, and as a prequel with Chloe’s backtalk ability in-place of the supernatural powers we’ve seen elsewhere in the series — that’s fitting for her typical teenage qualities– there’s more of a need for the narrative to carry the experience without a strong ‘gimmick’ to rely on.
Before the Storm achieves this and then some, with one of the strongest narratives in the series to date, ensuring it remains interesting and engaging throughout. Especially when you factor in the fact you already know how this tragic love tale ends. The fact that it’s as gripping as it is throughout its three episodes just shows the strength in its writing.
It also has some of the best moments in the series, such as the aforementioned play scene, the DND session you can actually partake in, and just some touching moments of Chloe and Rachel goofing around and falling in love.
2. Life Is Strange
Best Life Is Strange Games, Ranked
Ahh, Life Is Strange, the game that kick-started the series known for its excellent indie soundtrack, hella crazy teen drama, and decisions that’ll haunt your every waking moment for days after you’ve finished playing. It may look a little rough around the edges nowadays, but we can’t not put this right near the top of our ranking thanks to just how special and unique an experience it was when it was first released back in 2015.
Following the story of Blackwell Academy student Max Caulfield, the game sees her and best friend Chloe Price uncovering a seedy mystery around the school (and Arcadia Bay), all the while trying to come to terms with her ability to manipulate and rewind time.
It’s her time manipulation power that makes Life Is Strange such a joy to play, watching your actions and choices play out, only to decide against it, rewind time and choose the other… only to second guess yourself again! It added an interesting dynamic to the narrative, highlighting just how fragile a construct time is, and the problems messing with it can cause.
Then there were the plot twists. Oh, the plot twists! Given the series was broken down into five episodes which were released throughout the year, they had us on tenterhooks for months on end, wondering just how the story was going to play out. And the end of Episode 4? Mountains by Message to Bears playing during Max and Chloe’s discovery? THAT reveal? *chef’s kiss.*
With plenty of twists and turns in the narrative and a rather unforgettable cast of characters, Life Is Strange cemented itself as an indie darling, and even nearly won our Game of the Year award in 2015 (only beaten out by that painfully challenging game called Bloodborne or something).
It may not have all the style and pizzazz of some of its follow-ups, but the original had so many unforgettable moments, iconic characters, and kickstarted this wonderful, indie series off, that it’ll always have a special place in our hearts.
1. Life Is Strange: True Colors
Best Life Is Strange Games, Ranked
Alex Chen’s trip to Haven Springs, Colorado stole our hearts, as the empath teen embarked on an investigation into her brother’s mysterious death in Life Is Strange: True Colors.
With solid writing and an interesting, varied cast of characters, True Colors steals the top spot from the clutches of its predecessors, largely in part thanks to Alex’s power adding a whole new dynamic to the gameplay and narrative in ways that previous protagonists’ powers didn’t. We’re looking primarily at you, backtalk!
Being able to read the deep-seated emotions of the characters around her, Alex is able to open up new dialog options and probe them on troubling issues. This allows players to get a deeper insight into the inner workings and motives of the citizens of Haven Springs, and the various dynamics at play throughout the town.
True Colors also benefits from a visual upgrade, which helps bring the vibrant colors of Haven Springs to life. Add on top of that improved, subtle facial animations that help give conversations and social interactions a more authentic, natural feel and it’s safe to say it’s the most immersive game in the series.
The whole thing’s rounded out with a soundtrack that never misses a beat. Angus & Julia Stone’s original soundtrack punctuates Alex’s ‘zen’ moments, while tracks from the likes of Kings of Leon, mxmtoon, and Novo Amor ensure True Colors sticks to the series’ beloved indie vibe.
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