It’s Wednesday. It’s December. We should be doing our Christmas shopping but instead we’re playing video games. Here’s what we’re playing this week.
Tom – Lead Writer
Life is Strange: True Colors
- Playing on PS5
With Christmas around the corner, I could only really justify one purchase for myself in the recent PlayStation Black Friday sale. Life is Strange: True Colors jumped out at me; I’m a longtime fan of the charming Life is Strange series, and was excited to play this new one.
You play as Alex Chen, a young woman fresh out of foster care who has come to Haven Springs, Colorado to reunite with her brother Gabe. Unlike past games in the narrative-focused series, episodes aren’t being released months apart; the entire story is playable from start to finish right now.
As with past Life is Strange protagonists, Alex has a supernatural power; her ability of psychic empathy isn’t as viscerally satisfying as Max’s time travel or Daniel’s telekinesis, but it does make for some interesting puzzles. You’re able to sense the feelings and thoughts of your new friends and figure out how to help them work through complex emotional quagmires.
True Colors offers a bit more freedom than past games, with the whole town of Haven Springs open to explore. Improved motion capture and facial animations also mean that the characters are more lifelike than ever. I’m already a couple of chapters deep, and keen to see the rest of this story of family, romance and superpowers unfolds.
Joe – Editor & Lead Writer
Beyond A Steel Sky
- Playing on PS5
This week, I had the pleasure of reviewing Beyond A Steel Sky from Revolution Software; a spiritual successor to the 1994 cult-classic Beneath a Steel Sky.
I must admit, I wasn’t too sure what to expect at first but I really enjoyed my time in the cyberpunk world they’ve created. You play as Robert Foster, the man who took down the tyrannical regime in the events of the original game. After a child from his village is kidnapped by a mysterious armoured vehicle, he follows the tracks right back to where it all began: the sprawling metropolis of Union City.
With some great, genuinely funny writing and innovative puzzle mechanics, there’s a lot to love about this game. The legendary Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) infuses the art style with a beautiful cell-shaded art style that makes everything pop with vibrancy.
If you’re interested in playing the original, Beneath a Steel Sky, it’s currently free to play via Steam.