Life Is Strange True Colors
The award-winning Life is Strange is back with Life Is Strange: True Colors. Players take on the role of Alex Chen who has long suppressed her “Curse”: the ability to experience, absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others, which she sees as blazing, colored auras.
After Alex’s brother dies in a mysterious accident, she must embrace her explosive power to find the truth and finally uncover the dark secrets buried by a small town. Players will also experience Alex descending into the orbit of violent Anger, world-altering Sadness, and irrepressible Fear. As she probes the mysteries of Haven Springs, revealing its secrets, Alex will discover moments of quiet transcendence – but also be drawn into moments of sudden, bloody violence – with lasting consequences.
The game also features strong language, drug references, some suggestive themes, and the use of alcohol.
The Life is Strange franchise has been a haven (no pun intended) for a number of gamers, especially those from the LGBTQIA+ community, and True Colors is no exception. Characters like Alex and Steph have inspired many to embrace their identity and who they are, and we’re consistently in awe of the impact this series has had on people’s mental health.
Features:
- A heartfelt story about uncovering what happened to Alex’s brother.
- Actions have consequences, the story will evolve with your choices.
- Explore the town of Haven Springs and find out what deep dark secrets lie within.
Skills utilised:
Games & apps
You Will (Not) Remain
You Will (Not) Remain was made in just 48 hours for the Women Game Jam 2021, and is a 2D narrative game that takes place in an abandoned apartment complex. Haunted by their previous mistakes and growing loneliness, the player must navigate a strange world that isn’t all that it seems. A world that makes them question their reality while the city outside succumbs to a nameless terror.
“Stay inside. Stay safe. Don’t let anyone in.” That’s what they told you to do, and now you’re alone. You’ve been alone for a while, well… except for Lambshank, the strangest dog you’ve ever seen. Taking on the role of an unknown person stuck in an apartment building with a horrific purple presence looming in the distance. How long have you been here? Weeks? Years? Each day blurs into the next, time-stretching between the world before, and the world now. You try not to think about the creature in the distance, the whispers in the walls. You ignore the ghostly glow it bathes the city in, violet spreading through every inch of the sky. Is any of this real? Does any of this mean something? You’re not sure if you want to know the answer.
You Will (Not) Remain felt like a dark game that really delves into mental health; the anxiety, depression, and sometimes suicidal ideology. Whilst the game has dark tones, it displayed these issues in a creative way and left you wondering what could possibly be going on in this world. Is the world a representation of how intense mental illness can get for many or are we really in an apocalyptic scenario?
Please Note: The game has a content warning due to its dark nature and associated feelings, which may be a trigger or risk to some players. We urge players to consider their vulnerability before playing.
Skills utilised:
Games & apps
Lost Words: Beyond The Page
Lost Words: Beyond The Page takes players on an emotional journey of love and loss. You play as Izzy, who’s grandma is unwell. Throughout the story, you’ll learn more via beautifully designed interactive diary entries. Players will also take part in a fantasy adventure written by Izzy with lots of personal choices to make along the way.
It tells the story of this particularly difficult part of life which comes when losing a loved one, but also reflects moments of hope and reflection on the happier memories you have. Modus Games have developed a title that is so utterly relatable when it comes to the process of knowing a loved one is unwell and all the emotions that come with it.
Lost Words: Beyond The Page is a charming, emotional and can hit very close to home for those who have recently experienced loss, but illustrates the tough subject of grief in a very respectful and impactful way.
Features –
- A wonderfully handcrafted interactive journey
- A story about love and loss that is respectful and impactful
- An adventure game that is easy to play and fun to be a part of
Skills utilised:
Games & apps
The Space In Between
The Space In Between is an emotional dating sim about June. June is an Asian-American trying to discover her identity while also coping with mental health issues.
On this journey between June and Miles her love interest players will experience a stargazing trip and create stories depending on the strong and powerful narrative. The developers of the title describe the game as “The Space In Between is a vignette into modern relationships, a story that will leave you calling your close ones to tell them you love them”.
Look up, let go, and take a chance on the night sky.
Skills utilised:
Games & apps
What Comes After
From the creators of Coffee Talk working alongside Rolling Glory Jam, they’ve created What Comes After – a heartwarming story that is described as a love letter to all of you who feel that you’re a burden on other people.
Players take on the role of Vivi, who is on a journey that takes her from where people go after they have died to what comes after. Make your way through the train, whilst you encounter souls of people, animals and plants that are on their own personal journeys leaving this world behind. Vivi will talk to many of them and learn about love, regrets, life and death.
Features:
- A heartwarming story that will resonate with many
- A personal journey that aims to teach you how to love yourself
- A tale filled with both love and comedy
- A unique and colourful art style
- Easy to pick-up gameplay
Skills utilised:
Games & apps
Sea of Solitude
Sea of Solitude takes players on a personal journey of a young woman’s loneliness in a beautiful and evolving world where nothing is what it seems. Players will explore a flooded city by boat, foot and swimming, and discover what lies beneath the surface in a world that is haunted by a struggle of darkness and light.
Players will be faced with monsters from the darkness, puzzles that piece together tainted memories of the world, all in an effort for Kay to discover what it truly means to be human.
Features:
- A beautiful world to explore
- Puzzles to keep you engaged
- An interesting mystery to solve
- Meet monsters with their own struggles
Skills utilised:
Games & apps
Rime
Rime is an adventure-puzzle game which follows a boy exploring a mysterious island, guided by a fox-like spirit companion. After a storm destroys his and his father’s boat, the boy discovers his father didn’t make it.
The game revolves around the boy’s journey climbing the island’s tower, with each area representing one of the five stages of grief; reaching the top of the tower represents acceptance.
The boy will encounter many different puzzles involving climbing, carrying objects, pushing and pulling and more. He can also sing and shout which can trigger events that are tied to nearby statues. The combination of the in-game interactions and the storyline makes this game a unique experience.
Key Features
- Explore a mysterious island full of puzzles
- Single-player
- Captivating storyline
- Unique graphics and design
Skills utilised:
Games & apps