Life is Strange: True Colorsis not being developed by DONTNOD, but will instead be made by Deck Nine, a Colorado-based studio made in part by former DONTNOD employees. While it may be under a different name, fans of the series can likely expect to see many traits that DONTNOD has proven to exhibit successfully not just intheLife is Strangeseries, but inTell Me Whyas well.
Tell Me Whyis a strange project from the studio, looking and feeling exactly like anotherLife is Strangegame but is officially not considered to be part of the franchise. Still, it showcases multiple things thatLife is Strangeis known for, namely accurate representation in theLGBTQIA+ communityand mental health. Fans will be expecting to see these traits whenLife is Strange: True Colorsreleases in September.
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Tell Me Why’s LGBTQIA+ Representation
Trans representation in fictional media is always tricky business, likely spurring both positive and negative reactions. While some are happy to see trans people represented at all, there’s always the concern of whether it’s been done accurately or not, especially because the LGBTQIA+ community is so prone to tropes.
One prominent trope that has existed even in theLife is Strangeseries, despite its positive representation of the queer community, is the stereotype that queer people’s stories never end happily. However,Tell Me Whychanged the trend from Chloe and Max’s tale in the firstLife is Strangeinstallment with itstrans protagonist Tyler. The twin meets Michael in the small Alaskan town, and the chemistry between them is clear. For players who aren’t feeling it, they can reject Michael and become good friends, and he’ll still be supportive of Tyler and his struggles. But the romance is nothing short of cute and wholesome if players see it through, leading to a happy ending.
Much like the first two installments in theLife is Strangemain series, Alex Chen will have two romantic options available to her:Ryan and Steph. Steph has caught the eye of veteran players as she appeared in the prequel gameLife is Strange: Before the Storm, and the game could draw a connection between the two universes. It’s unclear if either is considered canon, but the hope is that Alex and Steph’s romance is treated with the same positive representation as Michael and Tyler fromTell Me Why.
Tell Me Why’s Mental Health Representation
It’s often overshadowed by Tyler’s representation of transgender young adults, butTell Me Whyalso accurately depicts depression and anxiety through Tyler’s twin Alyson. It becomes more apparent as the game progresses, but if players receive the bad ending, they’ll see Alyson close in on herself, shutting her twin out without any stereotypical, sad scenes. Mental health is bound to crop up inLife is Strange: True Color’s depiction of emotions, but how it will take shape is the question.
Deck Nine released footage of an early moment in Alex’s story, showcasing her struggles with other people. It hasn’t been defined officially, but it’s possible that Alex deals with a form of social anxiety or agoraphobia, or perhaps she simply keeps a distance due to her powers. On the other hand, Alex will embody the emotions of others in an interesting take on telepathy, and these sensations can often become overwhelming for theAsian-American protagonist, resulting in hallucinations. It’s easy to imagine how peeking into the mind of someone struggling with their mental health could make its way intoLife is Strange: True Colors' story, but it needs to be done tastefully and accurately.
Life is Strange: True Colorsreleases for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on June 02, 2025.
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