Game · in order
Life Is Strange Games in Order
All six main Life Is Strange games in release and story order, from the 2015 original through Reunion (2026). Most stand alone, but a few connect directly.
Life Is Strange Games in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Life Is Strange is an anthology, not a single continuous saga, so several entries star a brand-new protagonist and a brand-new corner of the world. That makes the series unusually forgiving to newcomers: you can almost pick any game and have a complete experience. Almost. A few entries are direct connective tissue, and getting them in the right order is the difference between a clean reveal and a spoiled one.
Release order is the recommended default and the one we list first. It opens with the 2015 original, the genre-defining story of photography student Max Caulfield and her rewind-time powers, then moves through the standalone Life Is Strange 2 and True Colors before arriving at the Max-centered duology of Double Exposure (2024) and Reunion (2026). Because those final two games bring Max back as a direct continuation, playing in release order naturally preserves the emotional payoff the studio intended.
Chronological order is the alternate we offer, and it exists mainly for one reason: Before the Storm (2017) is a prequel set three years before the original, centered on a teenage Chloe Price. Played first, it's a lovely character study; played first by a newcomer, it quietly defuses some of the original's biggest gut-punches. We only recommend the chronological route on a replay, once you already know how Max and Chloe's story lands. Everything after the original keeps the same order in both lists.
One footnote worth knowing: The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit is a free standalone tie-in that bridges toward Life Is Strange 2. It's short, optional, and a nice warm-up. If you enjoy this kind of choice-driven narrative, the spiritual cousins to reach for are Telltale's The Walking Dead, Oxenfree, and Dontnod's own Tell Me Why.
Timeline 2015–2026
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Life Is Strange games are there?
There are six main entries: the 2015 original, Before the Storm (2017), Life Is Strange 2 (2018), True Colors (2021), Double Exposure (2024), and Reunion (2026). A free standalone tie-in, The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, leads into Life Is Strange 2.
What order should I play Life Is Strange in?
For first-timers, play in release order starting with the 2015 original. Most games stand alone, but Double Exposure and Reunion form a direct continuation of the original, so playing release order keeps that payoff intact.
Do the Life Is Strange games connect to each other?
Mostly no. Most main games tell a self-contained story with a new lead. The exceptions are Before the Storm (a prequel to the original) and the Double Exposure–Reunion duology, which brings back Max Caulfield, and in Reunion, Chloe Price.
Should I play Before the Storm before the original?
Not on your first playthrough. Before the Storm is a prequel, but playing it first softens key emotional reveals in the 2015 original. Save it for after, or for a replay.
Do I need to play the others before Double Exposure and Reunion?
You should play the 2015 original first, since Double Exposure and its 2026 follow-up Reunion continue Max Caulfield's story. The standalone entries (Life Is Strange 2, True Colors) are not required.
What is The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit?
It's a short, free standalone game that serves as a tie-in and warm-up for Life Is Strange 2. It's optional but a nice bridge into that story.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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