All Life is Strange Games in Order: The Complete Series Timeline

The Life is Strange series is hailed for its impressive storytelling, iconic characters, and emotional impact. From the lighthouse in Arcadia Bay to the record store in Haven Springs, the spaces created for the games are filled to the brim with nostalgic 🎶feelings. As the series has grown, so too has the complexity of its timeline. 

The choices you make, particularly at the end of the original game, can send this timeline into a spin. Here’s a more organized look at all the Life is Strange games in chronological order.   

Life is Strange Chronological Order Guide

The Life is Strange universe encompasses many full game entries, DLCs, and a few side storylines. The timeline can get confusing, especially those spanning years before the original. But don’t worry; you don’t need the power to rewind time to help you out here. We’ll break down the Life is Stange game order chronologically.

Farewell Episode DLC (Life is Strange: Before the Storm)

Year it takes place: 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.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm

Year it takes place: 2010

Before the Storm is a prequel to the first game that tel🦋ls the story of Chloe’s relationship with Rachel Amber, the teenager who has gone missing when the eventsꦚ 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 th🅠is🌄 prequel journey feel more impactful.

Life is Strange

Year it takes place: 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.

Life is Strange (Comic Series)

Year it takes place: Starting in 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 fr🍬om the other games to come. &nbs🦄p;

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.

Life is Strange 2: Episodes 1 & 2

Year it takes place: October-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 bordeܫr. 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.

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

Year it takes place: 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.

Life is Strange 2: Episodes 3-5

Year it takes place: 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.

Wavelengths DLC (Life is Strange: True Colors)

Year it takes place: 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.

Life is Strange: True Colors

Year it takes place: 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 musꦅ𒈔t learn to deal with her powers to find out what really happened to her dead brother in a supposed accident.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Year it takes place: 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 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.

What is the best way to play Life is Strange?

There are a lot of ways you can go about playing Life is Strange games. You could go the semi-simple route of experiencing it chronologically, but you may not fully grasp concepts from certain games. So, if you want to play it in a more impactful way, here’s the best way to play the Life is Strange games:

1. Life is Strange
2. Life is Strange: Before the Storm
3. Farewall DLC
4. Life is Strange 2
5. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit
6. Life is Strange: True Colors
7. Wavelengths DLC
8. Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Starting with the original Life is Strange is always a good idea. I think you’ll get more emotionally invested in the characters this way since you’ll have more knowledge of their lives and relationships. You could still try out the chronological way and start with the Farewell episode, but I suggest reserving this route for a possible second playthrough of the entire Life is Strange series. It could open the door to hidden Easter Eggs you didn’t know before.

If you’re particularly interested in Max Caulfield’s storyline, you could focus on Life is Strange, Before the Storm, and Double Exposure. This approach simplifies your list for a shorter playthrough, yet it also means🔯 missing out on other compelling narratives. Nevertheless, if you have the time, why not dig into the entire series?

How Many Life is Strange Games Are There?

In total, there are six games in the Life is Strange universe. However, the original Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm ar🍃e avꦇailable together as a single remastered collection on select consoles.   

As mentioned earlier, the Wavelengths DLC also requires you to get the upgraded edition of True Colors. On the other hand, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit doesn’t mandate a Life is Strange 2 purchase, despite being connected to it. It’s a completely free demo that’s available on platforms like PlayStation, PC, and Xbox.