Following the less-than-stellar reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix is actively seeking fan feedback to understand the game's shortcomings. A recent survey delves into key aspects of the game, even questioning players on its perceived value. This feedback will likely shape the direction of future Life is Strange titles.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure, released in October 2024, promised a return to Max Caulfield, a beloved protagonist from the original 2015 game. Despite this, the game received mixed reviews, scoring a 73 on Metacritic (critic score) and a 4.2 (user score) on the PS5 version. Many critics cite significant narrative choices as a contributing factor to its underwhelming performance.
The situation worsened with Deck Nine Studios, the developer, announcing layoffs in December 2024. In response, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute survey to Life is Strange fans, seeking input on various aspects of Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and overall purchase satisfaction. The survey also gauges players' interest in future installments.
Square Enix's Quest for Answers
The lukewarm reception to Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a clear departure from the positive response to Deck Nine's previous work, Life is Strange: True Colors, which was lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional resonance. True Colors' protagonist, Alex Chen, also resonated more strongly with players than Double Exposure's characters.
The future of the Life is Strange franchise remains uncertain. While Double Exposure introduced intriguing plot points for potential sequels, the feedback gathered by Square Enix will significantly influence future storylines. The balance between fan expectations and creative vision will be a crucial consideration for the series' next chapter.
