Haven Springs Is The Real Star of Life Is Strange: True Colors
Life is Strange: True Colors is a significant turning point for the franchise, in more ways than one. Publisher Square Enix's narrative adventure series is no longer segmented into five chapters, as Alex Chen's story in the gorgeous Haven Springs released in full back in 2021. By switching from the pacific northwest of Arcadia Bay, Oregon to the mountains of Colorado, the story feels wholly unique, with characters and a landscape that is new to both the developer and players. True Colors' inclusion on Xbox Game Pass means it can reach more gamers than ever.
Deck Nine's second foray into the series perfects the Life is Strange formula by shining a light on real-world issues on the way to delivering an impactful story. Protagonist Alex has the ability to experience the emotions of those around her, which makes for some of the most memorable gaming moments of last year. While this is the topic of most of the game's emotional weight, it's the setting itself that shines the brightest, allowing the superb story and character development to flourish.
The fictional mining town of Haven Springs, Colorado is littered with compelling characters. From bar owner Jed, to record store worker and series regular Steph, the townsfolk are diverse, yet much of their backstory is centered around the mining operations that Haven Springs' economy is built upon. Buildings are wooden and give off a post-civil war aesthetic that makes the whole town seem like it was constructed on a whim. In the distance, the Rocky Mountains do well to maintain a sense of calm and tranquility, so when the plot thickens and Alex becomes the center of attention, it feels as though she's upsetting the peace.
Learning more about Alex Chen's difficult past makes Haven
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