Life is Strange Returns in 2026: Next Game Reveal Livestream Announced for January 20

Life is Strange returns in 2026. Square Enix and developers team have ignited fan excitement with the official confirmation of a new mainline entry in the beloved narrative adventure series, set to launch later this year. A cryptic teaser trailer dropped today via the official @LifeIsStrange X account, promising an “exclusive reveal” livestream on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. GMT / 7 p.m. CET.

The short, atmospheric video—titled “Life is Strange Returns in 2026″—features a dark, ember-filled void with the series logo pulsing amid swirling particles. Silhouetted figures walk past, including a woman with a ponytail and a mysterious leather jacket emblazoned with a crow or winged emblem on the back. On-screen text urges viewers to “Separate the real from the rumor,” hinting at themes of perception, deception, and perhaps time manipulation central to the franchise.

New Life is Strange Game Launches This Year, Square Enix Confirms …

This marks the first official word on the project’s existence following weeks of leaks and speculation. A premature PEGI rating surfaced earlier this month for a PS5 title called Life is Strange: Reunion, rated 16 for moderate violence, bad language, and drug use—strongly suggesting a return to the series’ mature, choice-driven storytelling.

Rumors point to protagonists Max Caulfield (from the original Life is Strange and recent Double Exposure) reuniting with Chloe Price at Caledon University, where Max must rewind time to avert a campus catastrophe within three days. The plot echoes the series’ signature blend of supernatural powers, emotional bonds, and butterfly-effect consequences, potentially addressing fan-favorite “PriceField” dynamics amid past player choices.

Deck Nine Games—the studio behind Life is Strange: True Colors, Before the Storm, and Double Exposure—is widely tipped as the developer, having teased future LiS projects and responding enthusiastically to today’s announcement. Publisher Square Enix has yet to confirm platforms beyond PS5, but expect PC, Xbox Series X|S, and possibly Nintendo Switch given recent patterns.

Since its 2015 debut, Life is Strange has captivated millions with its episodic tales of teen angst, supernatural twists, and heartbreaking decisions. Double Exposure (2024) brought Max back as a college photographer grappling with parallel timelines, ending on a cliffhanger teasing unresolved threads.

Fans flooded social media post-announcement, with over 23,000 likes on the X teaser in hours. Reactions range from ecstatic “PriceField” reunions to cautious optimism after mixed Double Exposure reception.

Tune in to the Life is Strange YouTube channel on January 20 for the full reveal—including likely title, gameplay, and release window details. As the series evolves under Square Enix, one thing’s clear: the rumors end soon, and a new chapter in this emotional odyssey awaits.