Life is Strange is an episodic-style game franchise where players control a series of protagonists who have, or are linked to others who have, unique, supernatural powers. These powers range per title, including time manipulation, telekinesis, immense empath capabilities/reading emotional auras, and more. In every LiS game, players will need to use their powers to aid them in making choices that impact moments throughout the overall story, therefore creating different possibilities and final outcomes for each individual during their playthrough.
With multiple entries in the franchise, players who are looking to jump in and try them out may be wondering if the best approach is to follow release order or to play them in chronological story order. If you're looking for an answer regarding this question, a detailed explanation has been outlined in the guide below, giving you all the information you'll need to jump into the Life is Strange franchise as a new or returning player.
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Should You Play the Life is Strange Games in Release or Chronological Order? Explained
When it comes to the Life is Strange series, there are eight stories for players to experience over six different titles (not including the remasters, as they are the same stories). However, as many of these stories have Easter eggs or a slight overlap in terms of continuing timelines, recurring characters, and Easter eggs based on big decisions you have made in other titles, choosing the right story progression can make all of the difference in your experience, especially if you are planning to play each game immediately after the other.
Is Release Order the Best Start For New Life is Strange Players?
For new players, following the release order for Life is Strange games is generally a solid way to jump into the franchise. While this will take you back and forth between the past and future, the approach that the games take tends to make up for this. Essentially, you will meet and get to learn about some secondary/side characters in LiS 1, and then gain more context, background, and a general deeper understanding of them in Before the Storm, despite it being set before LiS 1. This is particularly true for the likes of Nathan Prescott and even Rachel Amber herself.
Similarly, the same occurs in Before the Storm, where you will meet some characters who appear much further down the line in LiS: True Colors. Captain Spirit is set within the same timeline as LiS 2, and LiS 2 has some easter eggs and potentially minor character interactions based on the decisions you made in LiS 1, despite featuring a whole new primary cast of characters.
The remastered titles (purchased separately or via Arcadia Bay collection) can be played in place of the original titles if preferred, as they are the exact same story with updated graphics, which will likely add to your experience.
Here is the release date play order for the Life is Strange games:
Life is Strange Game Play Order By Release Date:
- Life is Strange (2015) / Life is Strange Remastered (2022)
- Life is Strange: Before the Storm (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered (2022)
- Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Farewell (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered - Farewell (2022)
- The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit (2018)
- Life is Strange 2 (2018)
- Life is Strange: True Colors (2021)
- Life is Strange: True Colors - Wavelengths (2021)
- Life is Strange: Double Exposure (2024)
Alternatively, playing the Life is Strange games in chronological story order is a brilliant narrative experience for those looking to return to the franchise, as well as new players who insist on completing the timeline from the perspective of the characters they are playing as.
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The Best Chronological Story Order For Life is Strange, Explained
By starting with Before the Storm's Farewell (set when Max & Chloe are still kids), players will jump into a heartbreaking experience and really gain some deep understanding of Chloe's relationship with Max, and how suddenly things changed. This helps bring a lot of insight into Chloe's drastic change when they reunite years later, and also why she latched onto her friendship with Rachel in Max's absence.
By immediately following with Before the Storm (set in 2010), primary story, players will witness the severity of Chloe's inner turmoil (which hits so much deeper following the events of Farewell) and also get to see Rachel through Chloe's eyes, before her disappearance in LiS 1.
Following on from Life is Strange (set in 2013), you will then jump into Max's return to Arcadia Bay, the discovery of her powers, and the mystery of Rachel's disappearance. Max and Chloe have quite a bit of development again during this story, and the final decisions that you make are also references/carried over as Easter eggs and potential cameos in following games.
After Life is Strange 1, most would recommend heading straight into Captain Spirit and LiS 2, as they are set in 2016. However, while this works, players can choose to swap these two titles out for Life is Strange: True Colors. While the latter is set in 2019, it features Steph Gingrich from LiS Before the Storm as a primary love interest.
As Steph is the same age as Chloe Price, it may make more sense to follow this timeline while her character is still somewhat fresh in your mind, as she has grown up quite a lot and carries memories/interactions with other characters from the LiS BtS era. Specifically, players should play the Wavelengths DLC first, as this features Steph prior to the events of True Colors, feeling a bit lost and trying to find her feet again as she navigates the past and settles into her new job.
Following this, they can jump right into True Colors, which is set one year after the events of Wavelengths. As Captain Spirit/Lis 2 features a brand new cast of characters, and only cameos/Easter eggs compared to more involved roles, it's easy to pick them right up afterwards.
When it comes to Captain Spirit, it's recommended to play only the first episode of Life is Strange 2 beforehand, and then play Captain Spirit, before resuming with the rest of the LiS 2 story. This is because the two stories are interlinked - essentially, Chris' story is going on at the same time as Sean and Daniels, and they end up crossing paths for a while during LiS 2 gameplay.
Lastly, players can end their experience on Life is Strange: Double Exposure. This game is set in late 2023 and features the return of Max Caulfield in the protagonist role, but this time all grown up, much like Steph's appearance in True Colors. However, as this is both the most recent entry in the LiS franchise, and it takes things in quite a different and new direction over the course of the story, it is definitely recommended as the last game played.
Life is Strange Best Chronological Game Order:
As mentioned earlier, the placement of Wavelengths and LiS 2 EP1 can technically be interchanged. While they work well in either order, True Colors has been prioritized first in the list below due to the involvement of Steph.
- Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Farewell (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered - Farewell (2022)
- Life is Strange: Before the Storm (2017) / Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered (2022)
- Life is Strange (2015) / Life is Strange Remastered (2022)
- Life is Strange: True Colors - Wavelengths (2021)
- Life is Strange: True Colors (2021)
- Life is Strange 2 - Episode 1 (2018)
- The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit (2018)
- Life is Strange 2 - Episode 2-5 (2018)
- Life is Strange: Double Exposure (2024)
