Parents' Guide to Life Is Strange: True Colors - Wavelengths

This downloadable content (DLC) story clocks in at about three and a half hours of play time, which isn't too long for in-depth story games, but feels just right for a bonus chapter. Wavelengths is a prequel to True Colors, and it offers some much-needed context for the larger Life is Strange series. While the first half of the game is entertaining enough, the story begins to really shine once Steph uncovers her emotions about LGBTQ+ Pride Month celebrations in the "summer" section of the story. The references there are sure to resonate with some players in a touching and affirming way. There's also a running theme of Steph struggling to date as a lesbian in a small town, and this vulnerability begins to peel back Steph's outer shell in a way that's very easy to empathize with.

Even so, it's difficult to recommend the DLC story to any player not yet familiar with the titles Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm. It's only once Steph breaks down while talking about her exit from Arcadia Bay that the chapter manages to hook players with that "I need to take a deep breath before making this dialogue choice"-level of emotional investment that this series does so well. There are many long-time franchise fans who felt that though Before the Storm made for a great prequel, but it was just missing something in terms of offering closure for the first LiS game. Here, players finally get some emotional release, with Steph being given the chance to address the situations of those who didn't get a proper ending in LiS 1. Of course, it's impossible for Steph to have all of the answers, but the validation that someone else out there is still thinking about Max Caulfield, Chloe Price, and Rachel Amber makes for a satisfying playthrough.