Life Is Strange: True Colors - Wavelengths
By Angelica Guarino,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
True Colors content offers closure to a series-long mystery.
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Life Is Strange: True Colors - Wavelengths
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What’s It About?
LIFE IS STRANGE: TRUE COLORS -- WAVELENGTHS is a bonus chapter available for the base game of Life is Strange: True Colors. The chapter recounts Steph's first year living in Haven Springs through four different seasons. First, players see her settle into her role as the new record store manager and radio DJ in town, which is a role she was only able to get after her friend Gabe pretended to be a reference from an old radio DJ position that never existed. Understandably taking some time to get her footing, the radio show takes off when Steph decides to use a 20-sided die to "predict" the futures of callers who share their problems on-air. Players also hear about Steph's life in Seattle, where she moved directly after Arcadia Bay and became involved in the music scene. After a few months, though, Steph begins to notice items in Rocky Mountain Record Traders which trigger memories of her old home of Arcadia Bay. The story branches off slightly at this point depending on a player's answers to questions related to playing the first installment in the Life is Strange series.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk to your kids about Steph’s decision to move to Haven Springs. Why do you think she left her friends and family to move so far away? What did she have to gain by starting her life over completely? If you were in Steph’s position, what would you have done?
What makes Mikey and Gabe good friends? Though they both support Steph emotionally, in what ways are their methods similar, and in what ways are they different? What can we learn from how they treat Steph when she needs help?
Game Details
- Platforms: Google Stadia , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Windows , Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release date: September 30, 2021
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
- ESRB rating: M for Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Last updated: October 12, 2021
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