Life is Strange: True Colors Emphasizes the Importance of Empathy

It’s important to have empathy, and for the game’s protagonist, empathy is actually a superpower.

During the Square Enix showcase at E3 2021, we got a closer look at the newest Life is Strange game, Life is Strange: True Colors. The footage shown today primarily focused on the game’s main character named Alex whose empathy for others is so strong, it’s actually a superpower. 

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That idea of empathy as a superpower was on full display in the game footage that was shown, with Alex able to use other people’s emotions, thoughts, and memories as a way to help unravel the mystery behind her brother’s death. 

It’s exciting to be able to see this in action and see what Alex sees in the game. Adding to that excitement is the game’s release date of September 10 as it’s only a few short months away! 

Life is Strange: True Colors Emphasizes the Importance of Empathy

Empathy is a real thing that many people experience, and some experience it stronger than others. For some, empathy can be so strong that it ends up becoming overwhelming and exhausting as you feel the highs and lows of others intensely whether you want to or not. 

As an empath, it’s important to set boundaries. Using empathy to help people is an amazing thing, but you can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself first. It’s an incredibly difficult balancing act, one that Alex will work through in Life is Strange: True Colors.

Speaking to IGN, producer Rebeccah Bassell explains: 

“At the beginning of [True Colors, Alex is on the end where feelings are scary. People feel things, and it has a strong effect on [her], and [she] can’t control it. And then on the other side, when she does feel everything, it’s all-consuming and overwhelming.

Neither of those options are going to be productive. So what Alex goes through throughout the game is [figuring out] how [she can] understand and empathize with somebody, and at the same time retain the boundaries of [herself] and not get lost in their emotion… I think we can all use that in our day-to-day lives.”

The last point emphasized in that statement Rebeccah Bassell made to IGN is one that really sticks out when thinking about the importance of games like Life is Strange: True Colors.

As a series, Life is Strange likes to add supernatural elements to stories that are relatable and grounded in realism. Not only the settings, like Life is Strange taking place in a high school, but also the characters themselves.

One of the reasons why I adore Life is Strange and Before the Storm is because I can really relate to Chloe. I see a lot of my high school self in Chloe, so it’s hard to not grow attached to her as a character.

In my mind, I just kept thinking… I’ve been there, I totally understand why Chloe is the way that she is, and I wish she was real so I could give her a hug. It’s what makes that final decision at the end of Life is Strange (no spoilers, I promise) so difficult. 

Life is Strange is a series full of games that’ll make you cry, cry, and just when you thought you were done crying, cry again.

And wouldn’t you know it, Life is Strange: True Colors looks like it’ll be even more of a tearjerker than its predecessors, especially when you consider Alex’s ability to really experience other people’s emotions instead of just seeing them happening. 

Mental note to self, buy extra boxes of tissues for this one!

For those concerned about whether Life is Strange: True Colors might be too much to handle emotionally, it sounds like the development team has taken stuff like this into account. 

According to narrative director Jon Zimmerman, much of Alex’s story felt personal to the team.

Experts were also brought in to help Deck Nine ensure subjects like being in the foster care system are not only portrayed accurately, but that they’re also handled delicately so as to not overwhelm someone who’s gone through the same or similar things. 

“We always look to each other and to whatever research we need to bring the most authentic portrayal we can possibly bring so we don’t come lightly to any sort of impactful, traumatic, difficult issue,” Zimmerman explained.

“And especially when it pertains to mental health, we want to make sure that we’re always treating that as sensitively as the subject matter demands.” 

We’re happy to hear that the team at Deck Nine consulted with experts, and we imagine the emotional aspects of Life is Strange: True Colors will be handled with care.

If you’re curious about Alex’s powers and Life is Strange: True Colors as a whole, we recommend checking out the game’s official website, and watching the new gameplay footage which we’ve embedded at the bottom of this article. 

Life is Strange: True Colors will release on September 10 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Google Stadia.

All of the episodes of Life is Strange: True Colors will release simultaneously. You can pre-order Life is Strange: True Colors right now with the base version priced at $59.99 (USD).

If you want to grab the new Life is Strange Remastered Collection, it’ll be included with the Ultimate Edition of Life is Strange: True Colors priced at $79.99 (USD). 

The Ultimate Edition includes a copy of Life is Strange: True Colors, the Wavelengths bonus story, Life is Strange Remastered, Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered, the Life is Strange Hero Outfit Pack, and the LiS:BTS – Zombie Crypt Outfit. 

If you aren’t interested in the Life is Strange Remastered collection, there’s a Deluxe Edition that just includes Life is Strange: True Colors, the Wavelengths bonus story, and Life is Strange Hero Outfit for $69.99 (USD).

And outside of Life is Strange, make sure you stay tuned for more E3 2021 news coverage here at Prima Games!

Related: Two New Final Fantasy Games Revealed, Stranger of Paradise and a Pixel Remasters Collection



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Morgan Shaver
Morgan is a writer, metalhead, horror lover, and indie game enthusiast. When it comes to games, they love nothing more than to wax poetic about all the latest and greatest indies to anyone who'll listen. They're also a Tetris fanatic who's fiercely competitive in games like Tetris 99... and all games in general. But mostly Tetris. You can follow Morgan on Twitter @Author_MShaver