Life is Strange Feedback Sought by Square Enix

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 understand key aspects of the game's shortcomings and inform the development of future Life is Strange titles.

The October 2024 release of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, a continuation of Max Caulfield's story, initially held promise. However, the game's return of a beloved protagonist failed to translate into critical or commercial success. Metacritic scores reflect this lukewarm reception, with a 73 critic score and a 4.2 user score for the PS5 version. Many cite significant narrative choices as contributing factors to the game's underwhelming performance.

Further complicating matters, developer Deck Nine Studios announced layoffs in December 2024. In response, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans, seeking insights into various elements of Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and overall value. The survey also gauges players' interest in future installments of the series.

Analyzing the Fallout of Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive response to Double Exposure. The survey results will be crucial in determining where the game fell short. This contrasts sharply with the widespread acclaim received by Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional resonance. True Colors' protagonist, Alex Chen, also resonated more strongly with players than Double Exposure's characters.

While Life is Strange: Double Exposure introduced plot threads with potential for future exploration, the feedback gathered by Square Enix will likely significantly shape the direction of subsequent Life is Strange games. The extent to which future games will incorporate fan suggestions remains to be seen, but the company's proactive approach suggests a commitment to learning from past experiences.