The DLC of Life is Strange True Colors has been released. This review will only go over the DLC, Wavelengths. You can read up on the review of the base game by clicking here. In Life is Strange Wavelengths you play in the boots of Steph, one of the main protagonists within the game. Learn about the years before Alex came to Haven Springs. Steph is the new radio show host for the one and only KRCT. Discover more about her past and relationships. Let’s see what this DLC has to offer.
Short introduction
For those not familiar with the Life is Strange series which you probably should be since you’re reading a review for the DLC. Life is Strange games are graphic adventure games played in 3rd person. The player can explore locations, examine and interact with objects and other characters, to let you progress in the story. Life is Strange is all based on its story, which develops around the decisions you make. choices you make will alter and affect the story with short- or long-term consequences.
Re-experience Arcadia Bay
As you might know or remember Steph was part of Life is Strange (Before the Storm) and was friends with Cloe and Rachel in Arcadia Bay. Steph is still plagued by what happened in Arcadia Bay. Life is Strange Wavelengths shows us more of the connection between the games that we have gotten so far. Some other old characters even make a return like Mikey. For the fans of the franchise, it is so amazing to see and hear about Arcadia Bay and the people there again, a town that is near and dear to our hearts. The story of Wavelengths can be played completely standalone from the original Life is Strange or Life is Strange True Colors. However, I feel like the game fully comes to its right when you already knowing the characters and backstories.
You’re the DJ
Besides what we already have come to know from Life is Strange, Wavelengths adds some new things to the mix. The game takes place in the Rocky Mountain Record Traders store/radio station. Steph gets full control over both the store as the Radio Station that is on the brink of shutting down, a job that seems like 4 jobs at once. She gets the freedom to do whatever she wants and pimps the record store to her taste to appeal to more customers. The same goes for the radio station. You’re the DJ. choose and play records, read ads and answer calls. Steph is somewhat of a psychic. Give D20-powered advice to callers with problems both serious and mundane.
Story is key
Outside of your job Steph plays Game Masters, a tabletop RPG with Mikey an old-time friend from back in Arcadia Bay, who reached out to reconnect with Steph like the good old days. You also get to play a part in Steph’s dating life by playing a dating app. Besides this, you help Steph compose and produce her own song throughout the game. This all maybe seems quite boring but it’s not the gameplay that matters the most in Life is Strange. Steph is still plagued by what happened in Arcadia Bay.
The story is all about Steph finding a place to call home after her breakup, trying to fit in the world and find out what she wants in her life. I struggle that we can probably all can relate to. Not a lot happens in the DLC. It is mostly doing mundane tasks with some story in between. It tackles some serious topics but overall lacks the deeper storytelling from the full games.
Same engine, same issues
Wavelengths is build on the same engine as True Colors. This is great since it looks really good but it comes with the same graphical glitches as well. Glitches like hair clipping, low-quality textures, music playing through each other to name a few. It seems like a problem in the engine that they hopefully can address for any patches or future installments.
DLC cost and length
The DLC is about 2.5-3.5 hours long but of course, it depends on your playstyle, which isn’t terribly long. After Life is Strange True Colors, Steph has become one of my favorite (side) characters. After this DLC, this love and respect have grown.
The Deluxe version containing the DLC story can be bought as an upgrade or the full game + DLC at once. The upgrade costs €13 and the Deluxe Edition €70, saving you a couple of euros if you buy it all at once. With this deluxe version, you also obtain exclusive outfits for Alex in the main game. These 4 hero outfits are inspired by past protagonists. There is Chloe’s Misfit Skull, Sean’s Wolf Squad, Daniel’s Space Mission, and Max’s Jane Doe outfit. This is a nice addition but doesn’t do much for me other than making me want to buy these outfits in real life, from the man’s section.
Conclusion
Although not as strong storywise as the full game, Wavelengths sheds new light on Steph. The new gameplay elements are pretty ok but the gameplay is not what Life is Strange is about. It’s about the story and it’s amazing to see and hear about Arcadia Bay and the people there again as well as find out more about Steph. I enjoyed the DLC but it felt short to the expectations. It all comes down to how much of a fan you are if you are willing to buy it or not.
