While most DLC packs expand the world around the protagonist, taking them to new locations, encountering new NPCs, and adding popular storylines, Life is Strange : True Colors Wavelengths DLC is a bit different. Just like before the storm, players find themselves in control of a supporting character, Steph Grinrich. The story happened when she first stumbled across Haven Springs, about a year before Alex Chen came to town. Stephen first appeared in Chloe’s prequel chapter “Before the Storm”, and the two became good friends through the magic of Dungeons and Dragons. Many players weren’t happy with its ending, but Wavelengths not only gave players a glimpse into Steph’s life, it bridged the gaps and filled the void left by the eve of the storm.
This article contains spoilers for Life is Strange: True Colors DLC Wavelengths as well as Life is Strange and Before the Storm.
When players discover Life is Strange: True Colors, especially if they follow Steph’s romantic path, the drummer never intended to land in Haven Springs. But after a messy breakup results in blocked phone numbers, Stephen uses the small town as a chance to catch her breath and figure out what the next chapter of her life might be. Although she can seem impulsive and spontaneous in the base game, Wavelengths shows that she’s always looking ahead, hoping to find answers and plan her next move, even if she never takes the long view. Ironically, instead of finding these answers herself, she offered some insights as a pseudo-psychic on the store’s radio station.
Using the D20, Steph foretells the fate of callers seeking serious life advice, sometimes related to coming out, a woman meeting her girlfriend’s parents for the first time, and even Gabe, who is nervous about talking to Alex for the first time . But the D20 doesn’t tell the whole story, and neither does Steph. Finally, after a year at the radio station, she canceled the show, realizing that the best parts of life are unpredictable. Enter : Alex Chen.
Even though the player might see it from a mile away, the beginning of Wavelengths happens to be the beginning of Life is Strange: True Colors. But having this intended ending is great for a plot device, because Stephen’s story doesn’t have a completely conventional plot itself. Unlike any other series of “Life is Strange,” “Wavelength” is a slice of life about someone’s life and the average struggles they face. Players will see aspects of Stephen they have never encountered before, such as how she deals with problems – or rather, refuses to deal with them – and how it affects her relationships with those around her, providing insight into her past Some insight into events, both new and familiar to players.
Unexpectedly, however, Wavelength shows a new perspective on Chloe’s death or the destruction of Arcadia Bay, depending on what they choose to save at the end of Life Is Strange. Before the storm left some unanswered questions about those who remained in Arcadia Bay, no matter how Life is Strange ended. It might not answer every question fans have, but it does fill in some gaps.
Unlike True Colors, where Alex is often comforted and accompanied by the warm souls of Haven Springs, his time as Steph is alone. The entire DLC takes place in the record store and in her radio booth. She would call on the radio, flirt with strangers on a fake Tinder, and text her friends in group chats that she used only modestly. Most of the time, like when she takes off her Pride month decorations or the anniversary of Chloe’s death, she brings back fond memories and even unresolved trauma.
As the seasons change, so do Stephen’s moods as he floats in the pause of her life. She doesn’t seem to think it’s moving forward, but she also refuses to look back. If Life is Strange’s Wavelengths DLC had an official plot, it would be Steph confronting her past and learning how to move on.
There are only two moments in which she interacts face-to-face with other living beings, demonstrating their every significance in Stephen’s life, past and future. Mickey is another returning character from Before the Storm, Stephen’s best friend and Dungeons & Dragons sidekick. It’s been a long time since the two teamed up, but Mikey was able to convince her to continue their campaign as masters of his game, though not without being released from her wardrobe in the form of gloomy memories of meetings with Chloe and Rachel skeleton. Instead of making Stephen avoid her past again, he’s able to help her face it head-on, leading her to convince Gabe to reconnect with Alex, the only real person to break through the threshold of Stephen’s record store. While Life is Strange: True Colors initially did some justice to both love interests, it seems like Deck Nine might be leaning towards one or the other.
In the end, players will walk away with two things, some great music recommendations, and a desire to play Life is Strange : True Colors again, especially if they pursue Steph in Alex Chen’s shoes, if anything but seeing her finally Get the healthy romance she deserves. Overall, it’s just a small slice of Stephen’s life that connects the stories of Before the Storm and Alex in Primary Colors, but it stands out for her solid approach to trauma and her eventual decision to leave Haven Springs Added some background. Steph feels a bit out of place in a small country town as a lesbian, but she still craves the excitement of an indie band life. Wavelengths provide the middle where Steph Gingrich’s legendary Before Storm begins and True Colors ends.
Life is Strange: True Colors and its DLC Wavelengths are out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Game Rant obtained the PS code for this review.