The Life Is Strange Series, In Order

The Life Is Strange series is a beloved narrative-driven adventure franchise known for its emotional storytelling, branching choices, and paranormal elements. Developed primarily by Dontnod Entertainment and Deck Nine, the series explores the lives of young protagonists dealing with extraordinary circumstances and difficult moral decisions, all mixed with supernatural phenomena. Spanning multiple games released over nearly a decade, each entry contributes to a shared universe while introducing unique characters and perspectives. Here’s a look at the Life Is Strange series in both production and chronological order. The Life Is Strange Series In Production Order 1. Life Is Strange Initial release2015Platform(s)- PC- Mac- Linux- Nintendo Switch- PlayStation 4- Xbox One- PlayStation 3- Xbox 360- iOS- AndroidDeveloper(s)Dontnod EntertainmentNo. of Episodes5 Life Is Strange (2015) follows Max Caulfield, a photography student who discovers she has the power to rewind time. Set in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Max reunites with her childhood friend Chloe Price as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of a fellow student. The game combines emotional storytelling, player-driven choices, and a haunting atmosphere, all underscored by themes of friendship, loss, and consequence. Its blend of teen drama and supernatural suspense made it a groundbreaking entry in narrative gaming. 2. Life Is Strange: Before the Storm Initial release2017Platform(s)- PC- Mac- Linux- Nintendo Switch- PlayStation 4- Xbox One- iOS- AndroidDeveloper(s)Deck NineNo. of Episodes3 Life Is Strange: Before the Storm (2017) is a prequel to the original game, focusing on Chloe Price three years before the events of Life Is Strange. The story explores Chloe’s complex relationship with Rachel Amber, a bright and popular student whose life hides deep secrets. Without Max’s time-rewinding powers, the game emphasizes emotional choices and raw character development. With a more grounded, intimate narrative, Before the Storm deepens the series’ lore and offers a poignant look at love, rebellion, and personal loss. 3. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit Initial release2018Platform(s)- PC- PlayStation 4- Xbox OneDeveloper(s)Dontnod EntertainmentNo. of Episodes1 The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit (2018) is a free standalone game set in the Life Is Strange universe. It follows Chris Eriksen, a creative and imaginative 9-year-old boy who escapes his difficult home life by becoming his superhero alter ego, Captain Spirit. The game explores themes of grief, childhood innocence, and escapism, serving as a narrative bridge between Life Is Strange and Life Is Strange 2. Its heartfelt storytelling and subtle choices lay the groundwork for deeper emotional threads in the series. 4. Life Is Strange 2 Initial release2018Platform(s)- PC- Mac- Linux- PlayStation 4- Xbox One- Nintendo SwitchDeveloper(s)Dontnod EntertainmentNo. of Episodes5 Life Is Strange 2 (2018) follows brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz as they flee their Seattle home after a tragic incident involving the police and the sudden emergence of Daniel's telekinetic powers. As they journey to Mexico, players guide Sean in shaping Daniel’s morality through choices that affect their bond and the game's outcome. With themes of brotherhood, prejudice, and identity, Life Is Strange 2 offers a powerful, emotionally resonant story that expands the series' scope while maintaining its trademark focus on character-driven narrative and meaningful decisions. 5. Life Is Strange: True Colors Initial release2021Platform(s)- PC- Mac- Linux- PlayStation 5- Xbox Series X|S- PlayStation 4- Xbox One- Nintendo SwitchDeveloper(s)Deck NineNo. of Chapters5 Life Is Strange: True Colors (2021) centers on Alex Chen, a young woman with the supernatural ability to sense and absorb emotions from those around her. Set in the charming yet mysterious mountain town of Haven Springs, Colorado, Alex reunites with her brother Gabe—only to face tragedy when he dies under suspicious circumstances. Using her empathic gift to see others’ emotional “auras,” Alex investigates Gabe’s death, uncovering a corporate cover-up and forging deep connections with local residents. The game seamlessly blends graphic-adventure storytelling with empathy-focused mechanics, letting players read emotional memories, guide dialogues, and experience immersive “nova” moments reflecting internal trauma. 6. Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Initial release2024Platform(s)- PC- PlayStation 5- Xbox Series X|S- Nintendo SwitchDeveloper(s)Deck NineNo. of Chapters5 Life Is Strange: Double Exposure (2024) is the latest installment in the narrative adventure series, and it marks the return of the original protagonist, Max Caulfield, now an adult photographer-in-residence at Caledon University. After years of repressing her time-rewinding powers, Max is thrust back into a supernatural mystery when she discovers her new best friend, Safi, murdered in the snow. However, instead of her old rewind ability, Max develops a new power: the ability to "shift" between two parallel timelines. In one, Safi is dead, and the investigation is ongoing. In the other, Safi is still alive but seemingly in danger. Max must navigate both realities, gathering clues and making choices in each timeline to uncover the killer and prevent the murder from happening again, all while a relentless detective is hot on her trail. The game offers a fresh take on Max's abilities, transforming them from simple rewinding into a more complex exploration of parallel worlds, where player choices in one timeline can have significant repercussions in the other. It delves into themes of grief, trauma, and the messy realities of adult life, all set against the backdrop of a wintry university campus. The Life Is Strange Series In Chronological Order 1. Farewell Episode DLC (Life Is Strange: Before the Storm) Year: 2008 The Life Is Strange timeline begins with a pair of departures that impact Max and Chloe, the protagonists of the original two games, for years to come. Since it’s a DLC, the episode’s content goes by quickly and can be completed in under an hour. It’s best to play this after playing the original game, but you don’t necessarily have to finish the other parts of Before the Storm first. However, keep in mind that you do need to have the base game of BTS to play it. Although it’s a short piece, there are still a lot of heavy choices that’ll help you unlock the game’s multiple endings. Before the Storm Farewall also holds many endearing nostalgic moments, as you dive further into Max and Chloe’s childhood. 2. Life Is Strange: Before the Storm Year: 2010 Before the Storm is a prequel to the first game that tells the story of Chloe’s relationship with Rachel Amber, the teenager who has gone missing when the events of the original game unfold. Chloe and Rachel ditch school, navigate trauma, and uncover family secrets. If you’re a newcomer to the series, you could start with Before the Storm first, considering that it is a standalone story. But, as someone who played both the original and BTS, you may want to dig into the original first to make this prequel journey feel more impactful. 3. Life Is Strange Year: 2013 The original Life Is Strange game features iconic storytelling, a beautiful soundtrack, and a cast of deeply drawn characters. You’ll play as Max Caulfield, a senior in high school who has recently discovered her ability to reverse time. It changes the outcome of every scene that puts some serious weight to your decisions. The choices get even more heavy when you must find a way to save your childhood best friend, Chloe Price. Life Is Strange breaks down into five emotionally-driven chapters, lasting around 14 hours. In addition to saving Chloe, you’ll need to uncover the dark truth behind Rachel Amber’s disappearance, leading to multiple monumental endings that affect the rest of Life Is Strange’s timeline. 4. Life Is Strange (Comic Series) Year: 2014 The comic book tie-in series for the Life Is Strange games begins about a year after the events of the first game, and takes place over the course of six story ‘arcs’. In order they are: Dust, Waves, Strings, Tracks, Coming Home, and Settling Dust. The comic series follows the Bae (not Bay) ending of the first game, but is in many ways a divergent timeline from the other games to come. There has been some speculation on whether or not the Life Is Strange comic book series is canon to the rest of the timeline. The general consesus with the fans indicate that it is not since there are some discrepancies with certain narratives. It could be considered more of side storyline that offers more possibilities on what happened after the original Life Is Strange. 5. Life Is Strange 2: Episodes 1-2 Year: October 2016 - December 2016 The direct sequel game in the series follows two brothers, Sean and Daniel, as they journey south from Washington to the US-Mexico border. When their father is killed by a police officer, Daniel’s telekinesis powers aid the pair in escaping danger. Given that Life Is Strange 2 follows a new cast of characters, it’s more or less a standalone story that doesn’t require too much knowledge of the original. Though, there are moments that reference its predecessor, so it does have some connection to the first one. 6. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit Year: December 2016 Captain Spirit is a short demo game that allows players to learn more about Chris, a side character encountered by Sean and Daniel near the end of the second episode of Life Is Strange 2. You’ll explore the imaginative mind of this nine-year-old boy, embarking on brave adventures as Captain Spirit, Chris’ superhero alter-ego. This chapter in the Life Is Strange universe is often forgotten because it’s not as essential to the main story, but it’s worth playing nonetheless. The choices you make in Captain Spirit also links to Life Is Strange 2, tying in together for one epic tale. 7. Life Is Strange 2: Episodes 3-5 Year: December 2016 - June 2017 The conclusion to Sean and Daniel’s story occurs over the course of many months, but also features flashbacks that bring players back to events that occur before the game starts. If you took a break to play Captain Spirit in between Life is Strange 2’s episodes, there’s a quick recap to help catch you up to speed with the story. Similar to many Life is Strange entries, LiS 2 comes with multiple endings that are determined by low or high-morality-based choices. It works similarly to games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and InFamous, where you can unlock good or evil conclusions. 8. Wavelengths DLC (Life Is Strange: True Colors) Year: 2018 - 2019 The Wavelengths DLC for True Colors takes place before the events of the main game and follows the side character Steph Gingrich, who also appears in Before the Storm, on her first day at the Haven Springs record store. You’ll take on the role of a radio host for KRCT: Haven’s best, as Steph reflects on her past and the future ahead. In many ways, this DLC is just as much a sequel to Before the Storm as it is a prequel to True Colors. However, if you want to play this add-on, you must purchase the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition of True Colors. 9. Life Is Strange: True Colors Year: 2019 - 2020 True Colors makes a few references here and there to prior entries in the series, but for the most part, it’s an entirely separate experience that has brought in many new Life Is Strange fans, and doesn’t require playing all Life Is Strange games in order. You’ll embark on the supernatural journey of Alex Chen, the main protagonist who must deal with a “curse.” This curse gives her control of strong emotions from others, allowing her to experience, absorb, or manipulate them. The emotions also emit colorful auras, hence the titling, True Colors. Alex must learn to deal with her powers to find out what really happened to her dead brother in a supposed accident. 10. Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Year: 2023 In Double Exposure, the original protagonist of the series, Max Caulfield, makes a welcome return. Several years have passed since the first game, and Max is now a photographer-in-residence at Caledon University. Although Life Is Strange 2 is considered a sequel, Double Exposure fits the bill much more. Even the official Square Enix page indicates it as a “direct sequel” to the original. This time, we’ll be opening parallel universes in an attempt to save her friend Safi. So, instead of the standard Rewind powers, you’ll unlock the new ability to Shift, altering between two realities: one where Safi is alive and another where she is not.

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