7 Life is Strange Games in Order: Full Emotional Ride in 2025

Playing Life Is Strange games in order is the best way to experience a series where your decisions matter and emotions overflow. The franchise is large, so playing them all is a commitment, but it’s an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. These games aren’t just about choices – they explore consequences, friendships, heartbreak, and sometimes the impossible.

Stories range from small-town mysteries to road trips full of danger, time travel, psychic powers, and alternate realities. At its core, Life Is Strange is about people – flawed, real, and beautifully written. This guide breaks down the best order to play, helping you get the full emotional impact of the series.

Our Top Picks for Life is Strange Games

Every game in the Life Is Strange series has something amazing to offer. But even among great things, some are usually greater than others, and this franchise is no exception. Below you’ll find the best of the standalone games that have left the strongest impression on the players all around the world:

1. Life Is Strange (2015): Become a part of Max and Chloe’s story as you use your time manipulation powers to solve a mystery of a small town with a stormy fate.
2. Life Is Strange: Before the Storm (2017): Explore the events leading up to the first game as you step into the shoes of Chloe and take part in her emotional story. 
3. Life Is Strange 2 (2018): Dive into a story about brotherhood as you follow two young brothers on their journey filled with danger and psychic powers.

Of course, just because other titles didn’t make this list, it doesn’t mean that they’re less worthy of your attention. Stick with me, and in just a moment, I’ll get to each of them separately in detail while also helping you figure out what is the best place for you to start your unforgettable journey.

7 Life is Strange Games in Order

The Life Is Strange games pull you in deeply, making you feel part of the story. While you don’t have to play them in order to enjoy them, the creators designed the series with a specific flow in mind. Having experienced them as intended, I recommend following that order – but ultimately, it’s up to you. Let’s break them down!

1. Life Is Strange [Best Time-Bending Small-Town Mystery]

The first entry in the series and my personal favorite story game of the whole franchise, Life Is Strange is a game that began it all.

The story takes you back to 2014, where you play as Max Caulfield, a quiet photography student who discovers she can rewind time. As she reunites with her troubled childhood friend Chloe Price in the mysterious town of Arcadia Bay, they begin to uncover dark secrets while facing tough choices that will inevitably change their lives and the fate of the whole town.

It’s honestly one of the coolest, most emotionally charged experiences I’ve had in gaming. The grounded story with its supernatural twists and time-rewinding mechanic creates a ton of emotional moments, making every choice feel significant and adding a lot of replayability value. 

Life Is Strange received worldwide appraisal, gaining a strong score of 85 on Metacritic. Whether you’re a newcomer or an old fan, this is a perfect place to start or restart your journey.

My Verdict:

A powerful, choice-driven adventure that perfectly balances emotion, mystery, and atmosphere. Life Is Strange remains one of the most memorable narrative games of its generation.

2. Life Is Strange: Before the Storm [Best Emotional Prequel Journey]

The prequel to the first game, Life Is Strange: Before the Storm, takes us back to Arcadia Bay in 2010. However, this time we get to see things through Chloe’s eyes, experiencing her life before Max returns to the town.

While Chloe doesn’t have any time manipulation powers that Max did, this title still packs a good punch with its emotional story. It felt raw and real, especially given the emotional moments between Chloe and Rachel. The game’s choices were just as heavy as those in the first one, and the writing didn’t let up one bit.

Compared to the original Life is Strange, this prequel is a bit shorter, more grounded, and less supernatural, but just as engaging. The voice acting and music are top-notch, too, so if it’s not the supernatural aspects that drove you to this series, you will absolutely love it.

My Verdict

A touching and beautifully written prequel that deepens the story of Arcadia Bay – a must-play for fans who want to truly understand Chloe’s world.

3. Life Is Strange 2 [Best Adventure About Brotherhood and Choices]

Life Is Strange 2 takes the series in a bold new direction, focusing on two brothers, Sean and Daniel Diaz, as they run away from home after a tragic event in 2016.

For the fans of the supernatural aspects of the franchise, the inhuman powers once again make a return to the series. However, this time, instead of time manipulation, we get telekinesis, and it’s not the player who’s directly controlling this ability. 

Arguably the best part about this game is the bond between the brothers and how Daniel’s powers come into play, forcing you to make choices that directly impact his development. The story is just as engaging as before, but this time it has more of an adventure feel to it, with different locations and a broader story.

Life Is Strange 2 is darker and more mature than its predecessor, focusing on themes like family, identity, and survival. It may be a little slower-paced, but the payoff is huge, and it’s an experience that you really shouldn’t miss out on.

My Verdict

A mature and heartfelt journey that perfectly balances emotion, tension, and consequence –  Life Is Strange 2 is an unforgettable tale of family and sacrifice.

4. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit [Best Short, Heartfelt Story]

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is a short, sweet, and most importantly, free-to-play spin-off in the Life Is Strange universe.

The game is about a young boy named Chris, who dreams of becoming a superhero while dealing with some heavy personal struggles. It takes place in 2016 and leads up to the events of Life Is Strange 2 Episode 2.

Even though you can beat this title in one afternoon, it packs a surprisingly good punch. As Chris, you get to explore his house, create superhero fantasies, and make simple choices that affect the outcome of his story.

It may be less intense than the main games, but Captain Spirit introduces some cool connections to the larger Life is Strange universe. The art style is vibrant, and the story, while more lighthearted, feels real and personal. Give it a shot – it’s definitely worth it.

My Verdict:

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit may be short, but it’s packed with heart, imagination, and emotional depth. It’s a touching prelude that perfectly captures the bittersweet tone and human storytelling that make Life Is Strange so special.

5. Life Is Strange: True Colors [Best for Exploring Emotions and Secrets]

Life Is Strange: True Colors, which takes place in 2019, is quite a bit different than other entries in the series, but all in a good way.

You play as Alex Chen, who, after her brother’s sudden death, begins to unravel the hidden secrets of Haven Springs, a small town with a lot more going on than meets the eye. The superpowers return once again. However, this time it’s not time travel or telekinesis but the ability to see, absorb, and even manipulate emotions.

Life Is Strange: True Colors stands out for its stunning visuals, heartfelt writing, and the unique empathy power that lets you literally feel what others are going through. Its blend of mystery, emotion, and choice creates one of the most cinematic and emotionally rich entries in the series.

Compared to earlier games, True Colors feels more cinematic, with improved animations and a fully explorable town. Essentially, it’s a beautiful, small-town mystery with a lot of heart.

The game holds 88% of positive reviews on Steam, with thousands of players praising the story and characters. The stakes in the game might be lower than what we got to experience with its predecessors, but overall, it’s just as good and just as worth your time.

My Verdict

A beautifully crafted story about grief, connection, and healing – True Colors is a must-play for anyone who loves emotional storytelling and meaningful choices.

6. Life Is Strange Remastered Collection [Best Classic Arcadia Bay Experience]

If the original Life Is Strange and Before the Storm prequel seems a bit too outdated for your taste, the Life Is Strange Remastered Collection is your answer. brings back both these games with updated visuals and improved animations.

While the remaster polishes up some parts of the game, the core experience remains the same – Max’s time-rewinding powers and Chloe’s rebellious energy, all wrapped up in a small-town mystery of Arcadia Bay. The raw emotions, unforgettable characters, and beautifully written dialogue are still all there, and they hit just as hard.

When it comes to choosing between the remastered versions and the original games, fans are divided. While many of the long-time players prefer the older releases, this collection often appeals more to the newcomers. However, both ways are just as great at experiencing these marvelous stories nonetheless, so if you never played these games, now is your chance.

My Verdict

A faithful and polished update to two iconic adventures – the Remastered Collection lets both new and returning players experience the magic of Life Is Strange at its best.

7. Life is Strange: Double Exposure [Best for Parallel Timelines and Mystery]

The latest installment in the series, Life Is Strange: Double Exposure, continues the original protagonist Max Caulfield’s story. However, this time, things are different.

Max, now a photographer at Caledon University, is thrown into a mystery after her close friend Safiya’s mysterious death. With her evolved powers, she can now not only manipulate time but also jump between parallel universes, one where her friend is dead and another where she’s still alive.

These improved abilities add a whole new layer of depth as you solve puzzles and explore the consequences of these shifting worlds. The story is just as weighty emotionally as before, tackling grief, loss, and Max’s personal growth. The visuals are more stunning than ever before, and the atmosphere is unbeaten.

The writing is a tiny bit weaker than in some of the previous games, as the timelines sometimes get tangled and not all character motivations feel clear. But despite these minor hiccups, Double Exposure is still a very unique and interesting game that is absolutely worth checking out.

My VerdictA bold and intriguing continuation of Max’s journey – Double Exposure delivers a gripping story of loss, choice, and consequence that keeps the Life Is Strange legacy alive.

How Many Life Strange Games Are There?

There are currently seven Life Is Strange standalone games. However, these include the Remastered Collection, Before the Storm prequel, and The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, which is very short. Thus, if we count only the main installments, there are four.

If you want an absolutely complete Life Is Strange experience, the Before the Storm game has a bonus episode titled Farewell, and True Colors comes with Wavelengths DLC. Additionally, the creators have also released the Life Is Strange comic book series, which takes place after the original game. This makes for a total of seven games, two DLCs, and one comic series.

FAQs

Are the Life Is Strange games connected?

All Life Is Strange games take place in the same universe. However, most are only loosely connected. Each story stands on its own, with subtle nods and Easter eggs linking the games together for longtime fans..

What order to play Life Is Strange games?

The best way to play Life Is Strange games is to follow the order of publication, starting with the original Life Is Strange. This approach lets you experience the evolution of the series’ storytelling and emotional depth as it was intended.

Will there be a Life Is Strange 5?

Yes, the 5th main installment in the Life Is Strange series has been confirmed. However, no clear release date has been set just yet. Early details suggest it will continue the series’ signature mix of emotional storytelling and choice-driven gameplay.