Hello everyone!

Beware, long post ahead.

I still remember the time when the computer game Life is Strange managed to win the hearts of gamers all around the world, gathered a massive army of fans, and settled in our hearts for good. Its creators didn't stop there, and soon, several more parts were released.

Main menuThe game I'm reviewing today, Life is Strange: True colors, was announced a long time ago, but I only found out about it this summer when YouTube kept pushing those annoying ads in every video. That's when I learned about the new part, and I immediately went to Steam to pre-order it.

The graphics are just as good as the previous parts I wish I had a chest like thatI could've waited, of course - nowadays, games are usually broken within a day or two; remember Cyberpunk, which was broken on the very first day of release. But I decided not to wait and sent almost two thousand rubles to pre-order it. I'm not entirely sure about the local rules - there's a thing about movie premieres (you need to attach a photo of your ticket), but what about computer games? Do you need to confirm the purchase and playtime? Just in case, I'm attaching an electronic receipt, or else some people might think I'm just watching Let's Plays, taking screenshots, and pretending it's my own playthrough.

Proof of purchaseThe game was developed by Deck Nine - the same studio that gave us the prequel Before the Storm, which some people even liked more than the original. I've got to admit, I was one of them. Fans of this part will be surprised in "True colors" - one of the episodic characters will already play a significant role in the story. Remember Stefan Guevara?I remember her :) I've been waiting for this game to drop since September 9th. Initially, the release date was set for September 10th, but for some reason, it got pushed back a day in Russia. I'm not even kidding, I took a day off work just to play it, and now I've been stuck in this game for four days, and I don't want to stop. I'm on this loop, constantly wondering what would happen if I made a different choice. I'm totally hooked! I've been replaying the same scenes over and over, trying to figure out the best course of action. It's like I'm addicted or something. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Here are the minimum and recommended specs for this game:

Minimum:

Operating System: Windows 10Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.40 GHz or Intel Core i5-2300 2.80 GHzRAM: 6 GBHard Drive: 30 GB on a hard driveGraphics Card: Radeon HD 7790 or GeForce GTX 750Ti with 2 GB memoryAlso: Keyboard, mouseRecommended:

Operating System: Windows 10Processor: AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz or Intel Core i5-3470 3.20 GHzRAM: 8 GBHard Drive: 30 GB on a hard driveGraphics Card: Radeon RX 590 or GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB memoryAlso: Keyboard, mouseThis game is pretty demanding, and it's only available to those with the right hardware. It's a shame, really, because games like this should be accessible to everyone who loves visual novels. I mean, who doesn't love a good story, right? But I guess that's just the way it is. Oh well, at least I can enjoy it while it lasts.

The main characterNew friendsNow for the not-so-fun stuff: my gaming rig meets the recommended specs, but I still had some major organizational issues that really threw me off. I'm not blaming the devs, but check out the foreign forums - a lot of people are talking about the problems they're experiencing. It's clear this game hasn't gained much traction in Russia yet, so it's still pretty quiet. I mean, I was expecting a more polished experience, especially considering how hyped I was for this game. Guess I'll just have to wait and see how the devs address these issues.I dialed back the graphics settings to mediumFirst off, I was blown away by some major issues with the graphics - for some reason, colorful blotches would randomly pop up on the screen. I'd seen other console owners complaining about dark, almost black images and objects on forums, and it made the game unplayable. I saw a YouTube video from another player showcasing these problems, and it freaked me out. The views are stunningAdditionally, I got kicked to the desktop a few times with a message saying a fatal error had occurred. Once, my computer even shut down completely, and a couple of times, I was just booted back to the main menu (which meant the game progress after the checkpoint was wiped). Chapter 4During my second playthrough, I somehow couldn't access the puzzle solution from the street performer - I'd collected all the clues, found the answers, but when I approached him, the 'Reveal Answer' feature was suddenly unavailable. What's going on? I've even experienced this with Cyberpunk 2077 - is it my hardware or the devs' fault? I'll wait a bit, check the forums, and maybe read some more discussions. But for some reason, I get the feeling that Deck Nine is in for a world of trouble, and they'll have to work on some patches. I've since moved the game from my D drive to an SSD - it required some serious cleaning up, as the game takes up over 20 GB. I also had to lower the screen resolution and graphics settings to medium, as my computer was making these awful noises that scared me half to death. And, weirdly enough, the problems decreased significantly. Happiness works wonders To the point and clear! The game isn't suitable for players under the age of 18 (yeah, like that's ever stopped anyone): there are scenes of alcohol consumption, nicotine use, characters swear freely, and there are LGBTQ+ characters. But, honestly, it's nothing new - you can see the same thing in every other game in the series.Stef was still hinting at being gay before the storm hit. Don't worry, no spoilers ahead - everything below is in the official trailer, and all the screenshots are mine, although I did have some issues taking them: for example, Fraps refused to take screenshots of this game, so I had to get creative and use another program.

You can either build relationships or stay friends with everyone. The music store. STORY My brother and sister, Alexandra and Gabriel Chen, were separated almost ten years ago. After our mom passed away from a long illness, our dad tried to take on the role of a caring parent, but he just couldn't hack it. To make matters worse, he was struggling at work. Eventually, he just bailed on us. Fifteen-year-old Gabriel was left to fend for himself, and life taught him some tough lessons. Eleven-year-old Alexandra (Alex) was sent to foster care and spent years there before Gabriel, now older and wiser, tracked her down. He offered to let her move in with him in Haven Springs - a small town in Colorado where she could find a real home. And she agreed.

Alex in the bar. One of the options. Haven Springs really is a haven for introverts. The pine trees, the majestic mountains, the cold river waters, the cozy little houses, and the friendly locals all make Alex feel like she's finally found a home. And the best part? She's reunited with her brother, whom she hadn't seen in ages.

Alex and Gabe Let Loose Right now, Gabe's working at the Blacklight pub, and he's got a girlfriend who's got a kid from her previous marriage - the kid's totally stoked on Gabe. And Alex is fitting in with the locals pretty quickly, too. It looks like they're starting a new chapter in life, and finally, everyone's found the happiness they've been searching for...

The Nighttime Views Here Are MagicBut, unfortunately, it's not meant to last. Just one day. That same evening, Gabe's stepson, Ethan, decides to head into the local mines. I've gotta say, I was on edge the whole time - I knew it was a bad idea, but I guess you could say it was a necessary evil. Gabe, Alex, and Gabe's best friend rush to the kid's aid, but things take a dark turn: the mines are about to undergo some explosive renovations.

Saving EthanThe explosion sends boulders tumbling down from the mountain peaks. And, unfortunately, Gabe's not so lucky... He's gone. I won't lie, it was a real punch to the gut. I was expecting a lot of things to go down, but not that.

Remembering Gabe at the BarThe whole town's talking about the accident, but Alex and Gabe's friend are convinced it's no accident - Gabe had actually reached out to the mining crew before heading into the mines and asked them to hold off on the explosives. Someone knew there were outsiders in the area, but they went ahead and gave the green light anyway. But who? I was totally invested in figuring out the mystery - I was like a detective, piecing together clues and trying to stay one step ahead.

Zombie Will Lead the WaySo, Alex and Gabe's friends start their own investigation - they're not buying the official story, and they're determined to get justice for their buddy. But getting involved in this kind of thing is a whole lot riskier... I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next.

Fifth Episode I'll be honest, the story isn't exactly new, but I'm applauding it. It was mind-blowing - I haven't gotten so many different emotions from a game in ages; of course, my interest in the game was kept on the first playthrough by the question that was always on my mind: who's behind it all? I started suspecting everyone in the story, recalling facts from their backstory, trying to figure out their motives. And the worst part: the character I really liked, but was suspecting the most, turned out to be the culprit... I was really hoping I was wrong until the very end. I was totally blown away by the twist - it was like a punch to the gut all over again. I didn't see it coming, and it left me speechless.

Alex, just like Max, is also a guitar playerThis part of the game is all about making choices, and I've gotta say, it's pretty cool. You get to decide all sorts of things, from what to order at the bar to how to behave with the characters. It's like you're living the life, you know?

On stageOne of the coolest things about the choices is that they're not just about big decisions - it's the little things too. Like, do you want to be friendly or hostile with a character? It's all up to you. And, of course, there's the romance option. You can choose to build a relationship with one of Max's best friends, or keep things platonic. Or, you know, you can just go without romance altogether. It's totally up to you.

You can go without romanceThe big choices come at the end of the game, though. The final branching point gives you the opportunity to see multiple endings - and, let me tell you, there are a lot of them. I've only seen a few so far, but I'm excited to see what's coming up.

The guitar sound is on point hereThe game is presented in five episodes, and they're all available now. My first playthrough took around eight hours (according to Steam), and it got a lot faster after that. Since you already know what to do, it's a breeze.

Mom and DadAlex has a pretty cool ability - he can see strong human emotions, take them on, and even read information about what triggers them. It's pretty deep, you know?

Meeting up with my broSome of the plot twists had me crying, no joke. The funeral scene in the early episodes was especially heart-wrenching. I'm not ashamed to admit it - it was pretty emotional.Feeling the good vibes What really got to me in this story was how the people around Alex just didn't care. I mean, it's clear that Gabe was everyone's buddy and the guy who could always put a smile on their faces, but Alex lost him - and it was only the first day they met. And yet, nobody's conscience stopped them from throwing tantrums and basically forcing Alex to figure things out on their own.

Someone's crying againGAMEPLAY Nothing too new here - the gameplay's pretty much the same as in other LiS games. You're controlling from a third-person perspective with the standard WSAD keys. Holding down the left Shift key gives you a bit of a speed boost in some areas, but it's not consistent everywhere. The system will let you know about other active keys.

Heart-to-hearts This is one of those games I'd call a relaxer - you don't have to be on the edge of your seat, you can chill, grab a snack, and occasionally press a button. I played while having dinner and applying moisturizer.There are scenes of alcohol consumptionThe gameplay is built around tasks that you can see in the quick menu. Usually, it's something pretty straightforward, like finding a specific character and chatting with them, or finding a specific item or helping someone out. There's no time limit, so you can explore the game world and interact with it at your own pace - want to just chill by the dock while the relaxing music plays in the background? You can play the guitar, then head to the table for a game of pool. Clean up the house and tend to the garden.

Playing the guitarCheck the news on social media.

Freebies are always a good thing But I've got to give a shout-out to the arcade games - that was a nice touch.

Arcade gamesIf you're not in a rush and interact with the non-playable characters, you can take on some extra tasks. Help a down-on-his-luck guy find his missing dog; give an ornithologist a hint about where they last saw a bird; nudge two lovebirds into confessing their feelings; figure out the answer to a riddle and whisper it in the player's ear.

Trying to shoo the cat awayThe ability to read Alex's emotional state by holding down the right mouse button (if we're talking about the PC version) is another important aspect - sometimes it feels like you're stuck and can't progress any further. During my first playthrough, I often felt lost - what do I do next? It turns out you need to read the emotions and objects that absorb those emotions.

Gabe's Memorial AltarIdentifying the Cause of Aggressive BehaviorThe third episode was a real hoot, with a whole heroic quest on foot through the city, searching for artifacts and buying magical items. And a fight. I mean, the creators did a great job.

Final BossTroll FightI've got to say, though, that the episodes were a bit too drawn out. The first one was the real showstopper - the rest were just filled with some empty, not-so-essential scenes. Even the third one - yeah, the quest was interesting, but it took up 70% of the episode time and didn't really get us any closer to solving the mystery. And the fifth episode? It was like a whole different game! - mostly just a kaleidoscope of flashbacks, trips to the past, and nightmares.

Healing SpellDeadlyMan, I have to admit: the final episode really got under my skin and scared me pretty good...

Scary, Turn It Off!Another thing that's bugging me is the inability to skip through dialogue and some cutscenes. Especially when I'm replaying - you already know what's gonna happen in the conversation, and the character just seems so boring, but you have to sit through it anyway.

Making the Right ChoiceSo, to sum it up, the controls are super simple and don't require any special skills. It's hard to get lost, and you can always check the in-game menu to see what you need to do. In short, Life is Strange is the kind of game where you can't really mess up. Unless, of course, you accidentally make the wrong choice, but there's always the option to replay.She's Gonna Be a WitchAuto-save is a thing in the game - just keep in mind you've got around five or six checkpoints within one chapter.

Working in a Bar's Not Easy CHARACTERS One thing you can't take away from Life is Strange is the characters, which feel like real people.

Alexandra (or Alex) Chen - the main character of the story; judging by her last name and eye shape, she and Gabe have Korean roots. To date, most of the negative feedback from players worldwide has been about the main character - many are whining that she's, you know, a bit curvy...

First EpisodeAnother part of the unhappy players continues to complain that we're not playing as Max and Chloe again.

No ContestAlex is 21 years old, and she's got a superpower - she can see when people are really upset, and she takes it on herself. The problem is, if someone's being aggressive, she gets aggressive too, and that's a real problem. I've seen her have meltdowns before, and it's not pretty. I've been worried that couples looking to adopt a kid would be put off by her behavior, but so far, she's been doing okay.

Guitar or Broom, Either WayShe's really into playing the guitar, which is cool. I was a bit worried that all the drama in her life would make her super emotional, but she's actually been pretty level-headed about it. It's the other people around her who tend to get all worked up.

MemoriesGabriel Chen - Alex's older brother, who's four years older than her. He's had a tough time in the past, but he's really turned his life around. He's become a respected member of the community in Haven Springs, and people really look up to him.

GabeGabe with his best friendLooking back, I think Gabe and his dad had a pretty rough relationship. Gabe's said some pretty harsh things about his dad, but it seems like he's starting to realize that maybe he wasn't entirely fair. He's in a relationship with a girl named Charlotte, who's really creative and owns a little marijuana shop. She's also got a great sense of humor, and I really like her.Stef Gingrich - is Gabe's best friend, and she's a really cool person. She moved to Haven Springs to be with Gabe, and she's started her own record store and does radio shows. She's got a great energy, and I've really enjoyed getting to know her.

StefMan, Stef's face looks super familiar to me - I've seen it before in Before the Storm. She's not afraid to show off her LGBTQ+ pride and she's got some serious flirting skills, especially when it comes to women. I think she's definitely one of the contenders for Alex's heart.Ryan Lucas - is Gabe's best friend, and he's got a thing for plaid shirts and jackets. I'm not gonna lie, I think he's got some romantic possibilities too.

RyanIt's like I've seen this guy before - Ryan looks just like Luke from "The Walking Dead". From his appearance to his personality, it's like déjà vu. I've even heard a theory that LiS borrowed some gameplay mechanics from Walking Dead. Take the shooting at green bottles, for example - that was in the first part, right?

I even wanted to buy a plaid shirtJed Lucas - is Ryan's dad, and he runs his own pub, "Black Light". That's also where Gabe works. After Jed passed away, he left Gabe his pub and let him stay and work there. What more could you ask for?

JedI've got to say, 12 years ago, I was working in the mines and it almost cost me my life. Meeting JedJason Pike - our local sheriff; he's a laid-back, open-minded guy who's always down for a beer and a chat about life.

Pike Pike worries about AlexRiley Litty - she and her grandma run the flower shop; Riley's getting ready for college, and Gabe's been helping her out big time. She's also got this possessive boyfriend who's not exactly thrilled about their hangouts.RileyShe's super chill, level-headed, and just really sweet. Eleanor Litty - Riley's grandma, who basically raised her as a single parent. She's a total goofball, loves hugs, and has a bit of a memory problem.

Flower shop EleanorMack Lauden - Riley's boyfriend, who's super jealous of Gabe and has a major attitude problem.

MackHe's basically the prime suspect in this whole mess, since he had motive.

Mack goes after GabeEthan - Gabe's son from his previous relationship; the kid took to Gabe right away, and they became super close. Gabe tried to fill the void left by Ethan's dad, and Ethan really looked up to him. When Gabe passed away, Ethan shut himself off from the world and started beating himself up over guilt - if he hadn't been there, the tragedy wouldn't have happened.

Ethan I'm probably being harsh, but I'm right there with you. What's this kid doing digging in the mines at midnight?He's got a wild imagination, drawing comics about superheroes; in the scene where he needs to be saved, he's showing some serious fear that a monster is lurking somewhere - and that fear rubbed off on Alex, who started freaking out too.

Alex playing with EthanValkyrie - the record store owner, a feisty lady; she's not one to be coddled, and she starts getting all snippy.

Valkyrie🔶GRAPHICSI think they're amazing - just like the other Life is Strange games. The screenshots have already said it all for me: the locations are top-notch, and the outdoor views are just as breathtaking.

Check out the amazing work on the locationThe faces on the characters are so realistic, I'm talking Life is Strange-level realistic. I've never seen anything like it before.

Alex's dad and GabeThe atmosphere in this game is straight-up incredible – the warm colors are clashing with the super dramatic storyline, and it's a real treat to play. I mean, I'd even want to live in this world. And yeah, I'm getting some serious Twin Peaks vibes.

Stef's storeThe music soundtrack is on point, as always. I was jamming out to a familiar song in the fifth episode, but it was performed by someone I'd never heard of before. The acoustic guitar melodies during the dramatic moments are giving me all the feels, and the vinyl records in Alex's room or the jukebox in the pub are delivering some awesome, catchy tracks.

The Living GnomeThe Russian dub is basically non-existent – all we get is Russian subtitles, and let's just say the translation quality is subpar. They didn't even bother to translate the profanity, opting for printed alternatives instead. There are enough inaccuracies to go around, like when Steph calls Alex "from some chick," but the subtitles say "from one girl."

Meeting in the fifth episodeOVERALL IMPRESSIONSI've seen some wild reviews for this game, but from my own experience, I can say I had a blast playing it. It ended up being even better than I expected. I don't even want to think about whether it's worse or better than True colors in the other parts – it's a completely new game, and it's definitely worth checking out.

Creative NatureDon't judge the game based on other people's reviews. And don't dock it points for not being about Max and Chloe, or for the main character being a bit heavier. And definitely don't judge it for being about LGBTQ+ individuals. I wouldn't recommend it to haters of episodic games or those who are intolerant of the LGBTQ+ community. On the other hand, I highly recommend it to everyone else.

The Only Way to Have Fun TogetherCons:the price is a bit steep;I experienced a few crashes and some graphical glitches;it's impossible to scroll through the dialogue;there are some unnecessary scenes in the episodes.Pros:

the episodic format;the ability to choose;the main character is really likable;the music is amazing;the other characters didn't let me down;the atmosphere is incredible;the graphics are top-notch;the story is really interesting.I'm giving it five stars, despite the frustrating lag and crashes. I hope it's just a developer error and they'll fix it soon. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy spending more evenings playing this game with friends. And I'd definitely recommend it to others.