Life is Strange Sequel's Future Uncertain

Square Enix Seeks Fan Input After Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underwhelming Reception

Following the less-than-stellar reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix has launched a survey to gather feedback from fans of the series. The survey aims to pinpoint areas where the game fell short, informing the development of future Life is Strange titles.

The October 2024 release of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, featuring the return of fan-favorite Max Caulfield, had high expectations. Despite this, the game received mixed reviews, currently holding a 73 critic score and a 4.2 user score on Metacritic. This lukewarm response, attributed to key narrative choices, has prompted Square Enix's investigation.

Adding to the challenges, developer Deck Nine Studios announced layoffs in December 2024. In an effort to learn from Double Exposure's shortcomings, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to fans. The survey covers various aspects of the game, including narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and even whether players felt the game was worth the purchase price and how their experience impacts their interest in future installments.

Understanding the Double Exposure Fallout

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive reception for Double Exposure. The survey results will be crucial in analyzing the game's weaknesses. This contrasts sharply with the positive reception of Deck Nine's previous Life is Strange title, True Colors, which was praised for its compelling narrative and emotional resonance. True Colors' protagonist, Alex Chen, also resonated more strongly with players than Double Exposure's characters.

While Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future games, Square Enix's community feedback will likely play a significant role in shaping the direction of the series. The balance between fan service and creative vision remains a key consideration, and the extent to which future games will incorporate player feedback remains to be seen.