Life is Strange: Play it WRONG?!

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The Life is Strange series consists of games where you take on various protagonists who possess or are connected to others with extraordinary, supernatural abilities. These talents vary from one game to another, encompassing time travel, telekinesis, profound empathy, and other such powers. Throughout each Life is Strange game, players must employ these abilities to guide their choices, which in turn shape various moments within the narrative and produce distinct outcomes for each player, as they journey through their unique experience.

For those considering joining the Life is Strange series, you might be pondering whether it’s better to start from the beginning and play in release order, or dive right into the chronological story sequence. To help clarify this matter, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that provides essential insights for newcomers and returning players alike, enabling you to smoothly enter the Life is Strange universe.

Should You Play the Life is Strange Games in Release or Chronological Order? Explained

In the “Life is Strange” series, players get to explore eight interconnected stories across six main games (excluding remasters, which present the same tales). These tales often feature shared elements such as Easter eggs, interwoven timelines, recurring characters, and plot points dependent on significant choices made in previous titles. Therefore, carefully selecting the order of gameplay can significantly enhance your overall experience, particularly if you intend to play them one after another consecutively.

Is Release Order the Best Start For New Life is Strange Players?

Starting with the Life is Strange series as a new player typically means following the chronological order of the games’ releases offers a satisfying entry point into the franchise. Although this may involve moving between past and future timelines, the unique narrative structure adopted by the games usually compensates for this disorientation. In the first game, you’ll encounter and grow familiar with some secondary or side characters. Later, in Before the Storm, you’ll delve deeper into their backgrounds and gain a richer understanding of them, even though it takes place before the events of the first game. This is especially true for characters like Nathan Prescott and Rachel Amber herself.

In much the same way, events in “Before the Storm” feature characters who become more prominent later in “Life is Strange: True Colors”. The game “Captain Spirit” takes place within the same timeline as “LiS 2”, and “LiS 2” may include Easter eggs or minor character interactions influenced by your choices in “LiS 1”, even though it introduces a new main cast of characters.

If you’d rather, you can opt to play the enhanced versions (either individually or through the Arcadia Bay collection) instead of the originals. These new editions offer the same narrative but with improved visuals, enhancing your gaming experience.

Here is the release date play order for the Life is Strange games:

Life is Strange Game Play Order By Release Date:

  1. Life is Strange (2015) / Life is Strange Remastered (2022)
  2. Life is Strange: Before the Storm (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered (2022)
  3. Life is Strange: Before the Storm – Farewell (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered – Farewell (2022)
  4. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit (2018)
  5. Life is Strange 2 (2018)
  6. Life is Strange: True Colors (2021)
  7. Life is Strange: True Colors – Wavelengths (2021)
  8. Life is Strange: Double Exposure (2024)

Instead, experiencing the Life is Strange series in its sequential storyline is an extraordinary journey for both returning fans and newcomers eager to follow the characters’ perspectives chronologically.

The Best Chronological Story Order For Life is Strange, Explained

Players will initially delve into “Before the Storm: Farewell Before the Tempest” (a story that unfolds during Max and Chloe’s childhood). This captivating journey offers a profound glimpse into the bond between Max and Chloe, illustrating how their relationship evolved dramatically over time. This backstory provides valuable context for Chloe’s transformation when they reconnect later in life, as well as her attachment to Rachel during Max’s absence, offering deeper insights into Chloe’s character.

As a gamer, I can’t wait to dive back into the world of Life is Strange with “Before the Storm,” set in 2010. This prequel will give me an intimate look at Chloe’s emotional struggles (which resonate even more deeply after the events of Farewell). Plus, I’ll get a chance to see Rachel from Chloe’s perspective, understanding her story before she vanished in Life is Strange 1.

After the release of Life is Strange (originally from 2013), you’ll find yourself revisiting Arcadia Bay, where Max returns and uncovers her powers, and investigates the enigma surrounding Rachel’s disappearance. Throughout this tale, both Max and Chloe undergo significant growth, and your final choices will be subtly hinted at or reappear as Easter eggs or potential appearances in subsequent games.

True Colors.” Although it’s set in 2019, this game features Steph Gingrich from “Life is Strange: Before the Storm” as a major love interest.

Since Steph shares the same age as Chloe Price, it could be more logical to keep her character fresh in your mind by following this sequence of events. Given that Steph has grown significantly and has a history with other characters from the Life is Strange: Before the Storm era, it’s recommended to start with the Wavelengths DLC. This expansion takes place before the storyline of True Colors, where Steph is trying to find her bearings after some turbulent times and adjusting to her new job.

After wrapping up with Wavelengths, I can dive straight into True Colors without missing a beat. Since Captain Spirit/Lis 2 introduces a fresh set of characters, and only has cameos or Easter eggs compared to the more substantial roles in previous games, it’s a smooth transition to jump right into it afterward.

To get the most out of Captain Spirit, it’s suggested to play the initial episode of Life is Strange 2 prior, followed by Captain Spirit, and then continuing with the rest of the Life is Strange 2 narrative. The reason being that the stories are connected – Chris’ tale runs concurrently with Sean and Daniel’s, and they intersect during the gameplay of Life is Strange 2.

Wrapping up my adventure, I’ve reached the end of “Life is Strange: Double Exposure” set in late 2023. This time, Max Caulfield steps back into the limelight, a bit older and wiser, similar to Steph’s transformation in True Colors. Being the latest installment in the Life is Strange series, it offers a fresh take on the narrative that veers off in unexpected directions. So, if you’re a fan of the franchise, this game is a must-play before calling it a day!

Life is Strange Best Chronological Game Order:

Previously, it was noted that Wavelengths and LiS 2 EP1 could theoretically be swapped in position. However, for practical reasons, True Colors is listed first because of Steph’s participation.

  1. Life is Strange: Before the Storm – Farewell (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered – Farewell (2022)
  2. Life is Strange: Before the Storm (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered (2022)
  3. Life is Strange (2015) / Life is Strange Remastered (2022)
  4. Life is Strange: True Colors – Wavelengths (2021)
  5. Life is Strange: True Colors (2021)
  6. Life is Strange 2 – Episode 1 (2018)
  7. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit (2018)
  8. Life is Strange 2 – Episode 2-5 (2018)
  9. Life is Strange: Double Exposure (2024)

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2025-05-17 08:04