Summary
- Following the less-than-stellar reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix is conducting a survey to gather feedback from fans.
- The survey delves into key aspects of Double Exposure, even asking players if they felt the game was worth the purchase price.
- Community feedback collected by Square Enix will likely shape the direction of future Life is Strange games.
The underwhelming commercial performance of Life is Strange: Double Exposure has prompted publisher Square Enix to launch a survey, seeking to understand the game's shortcomings. This initiative aims to incorporate fan feedback and prevent similar issues from affecting future installments in the Life is Strange franchise.
Released in October 2024, Life is Strange: Double Exposure held considerable promise as a continuation of Max Caulfield's story, a beloved protagonist from the original 2015 title. However, Max's return failed to ignite the same enthusiasm for this latest episodic narrative adventure. Life is Strange: Double Exposure received mixed reviews upon release, currently boasting a 73 critic score and a 4.2 user score on Metacritic for its PS5 version. This lackluster reception is largely attributed to significant narrative choices within the game.
The situation worsened with Deck Nine Studios, the game's developer, announcing layoffs in December 2024. Determined to learn from Double Exposure's missteps, Square Enix recently distributed a 15-minute questionnaire via email, soliciting feedback from Life is Strange fans. The survey covers crucial aspects of the game, including its narrative, gameplay mechanics, and technical performance. It also directly asks players if they believed the game was worth buying and whether their experience impacted their interest in future installments.
Square Enix Seeks Answers to Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underperformance
Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive response to Life is Strange: Double Exposure, making the survey's results crucial in identifying the game's weaknesses. Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, earned widespread praise for its compelling storytelling and emotional depth. Its protagonist, Alex Chen, also resonated with players in a way that Double Exposure's characters failed to achieve.
Regarding the future of the Life is Strange series, Double Exposure did introduce plot points that could be explored in future entries. However, the community feedback gathered by Square Enix will likely significantly influence the direction of future storylines. While the balance between fan service and creative vision warrants discussion, the extent to which the next Life is Strange game will cater to player feedback remains to be seen.
