The remastered collection of Life is Strange is slated to be released on February 1, but the collection will see a delay on the Nintendo Switch. Alongside the next entry in Square Enix’s acclaimed series, Life is Strange: True Colors, it was announced that remastered versions of the original game and its prequel, Life is Strange: Before the Storm would. be coming as well.
The original Life is Strange, developed by Dontnod Entertainment, tells the story of Max Caulfield, a shy teen living in the small town of Arcadia Bay, where she develops a power to rewind time and uses it to uncover mysteries around the town with her best friend Chloe Price. Before the Storm, developed by Deck Nine, is a prequel telling Chloe’s story prior to her adventures with Max and her relationship with Rachel Amber, a character shrouded in mystery in the original game.
In a statement posted to the official Life is Strange Twitter account, the team announced that while the Remastered Collection will be continuing on as planned for the February date for other major consoles, the Nintendo Switch version would be delayed to an unknown date later into 2022. There was no specific reason relayed as to why this version of the two titles was being delayed, just stating that the team has been “a little set back and will need a bit more time until they are ready.”
This is not the first time the collection has been delayed from its original release date. During E3 2021, it was announced that the two games would be coming in September 2021, only for in that August to announce that the Remastered Collection would be delayed into the next year, while the True Colors DLC Wavelengths would be coming that September instead. Shortly thereafter was the announcement of its current February date.
With how difficult optimization for the Nintendo Switch has proven for developers in the past, it’s not hard to understand why the team behind these two ports has decided to give the collection more development time. This is especially true when considering the many quality-of-life changes the two titles are slated to receive such as improved character animations with motion capture, engine and lighting upgrades, and revamped visuals for both characters and environments.
While it is a shame that this port will need more time before it is released, players can still rest easy knowing that other consoles won’t have to wait to have Max and Chloe’s stories return, now with a refined look that will keep us enthralled with all the teen angst and hard choices there will be to make all over again.
Life is Strange: Remastered Collection launches on February 1, 2022, for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia.
