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.
Haven Springs is a Mountainous Heaven
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 Springs feel like the perfect escape. Her upbringing in the foster care system was a source of so much emotional stress for the character, so joining her brother Gabe in the hills of Colorado made it feel as though she was in the right place, amongst additional characters who had such a positive impact. In Chapter 3, players get to see the town during the surprisingly accurate LARP event, and it demonstrates how vital the tight-knit community is to the vibe of the Haven Springs setting.
Haven Springs' Mining History
As is the case with most entries in the series, all is not as picturesque as it appears, as the tale that unfolds spoils the pretty setting. After the tragic death of Alex's brother Gabe, the story quickly shifts from an intimate, character-focused affair, to conspiracy with multiple breadcrumbs on the trail. Typhon, the mining company at the heart of the mystery, have such a significant foothold in Haven Springs that it goes from gorgeous mountain town to a corporately-owned cage. The residents' happiness ends up being overruled by the company's needs. Life is Strange: True Colors is more than meets the eye as the story goes on.
Typhon's grip on Haven Springs has huge repercussions. When the player realizes its reach, the characters that were introduced in the game's opening chapters are seen in a whole new light. In particular, Jed goes from lovable father-figure, to gutless coward at the game's conclusion. Alex' powers do well to uncover much of the mystery, though when the harsh reality becomes clear, it's apparent that the town is simply not as lovely as players initially expected.
Once the credits roll, the most narrative development that occurred wasn't through Alex's story, or the characters she got to know, but the town itself. Haven Springs lost its feeling of peace and innocence, as it was nothing more than Typhon's playground.
Stay In Haven or Be Lured By Adventure
In the closing stages of Life is Strange: True Colors, Alex is given a choice, not unlike the one Max has to make in the first game. Finding normality in Haven Springs or seeking adventure, players can choose to part ways with Chen by going down either path, and both fit her personality wonderfully. Depending on how many characters side with her, staying in Haven Springs makes a lot of sense, as the mystery is solved, and the town can go back to being as peaceful as it was presented in Chapter 1.
After everything that transpires, it's apparent that the Colorado setting greatly impacts the story, and drastically changes as the story goes on. It may not necessarily be as fondly remembered as The Legend of Zelda's Hyrule or BioShock's Rapture, but it is by far the best setting in the Life is Strange series to date.
Life is Strange: True Colors is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.