Life is Strange: Double Exposure

While I didn't find this game as disappointing as some other reviewers, I still consider it a letdown within the Life is Strange franchise. The gameplay often struck me as dull, monotonous, and sluggish, which hindered my overall enjoyment. On the brighter side, the game was elevated by compelling characters and their well-developed arcs, alongside a beautifully crafted environment that showcased impressive graphics. The soundtrack also stood out, adding an atmospheric layer to the experience that I appreciated.

There were moments where the unmistakable Life is Strange vibe emerged-the emotional resonance during character interactions and the exploration of meaningful themes-but it's unfortunate that the overarching storyline and direction fell short of expectations. The mechanics of switching between different timelines often felt clunky and disjointed, making it difficult to fully engage with the narrative.

Overall, I would categorize this as an average game-worth experiencing for die-hard fans of the series-but it lacks the impactful moments that truly captivate and leave a lasting impression. It offers a satisfactory playthrough, yet it ultimately fails to elevate itself to the same heights as its predecessors.

This game was absolutely amazing and truly doesn't deserve the hate it's received. Deck Nine did an outstanding job, crafting the story in the best way possible given their creative choices. Many players seem upset that Chloe isn't in the game, but Deck Nine does a fantastic job of exploring Max's emotions about everything that happened. Max is in deep pain and feels stuck in her past, and the way Deck Nine portrays her struggles is beautiful and authentic. It's a genuine and emotional depiction of grief and loss. Don't listen to the negativity-try the game yourself and experience the story's depth and impact. This game has so much to offer if you approach it with an open mind and a willingness to connect with Max's journey.

Not what I expected from the game, but I have to say that it felt cozy, I liked the writing, the feling that it gave me, I reallly liked that the action takes place only in a few places, it feels so cozy, and the winter atmosphere, it amazong.

It not even close to the first Life Is Strange with Max, and it's a bit of a shame of that. But it was a kindfull reminder of the masterpice that we witnessed 10 years ago.

The graphics are great, and the characters are well made and they feel alive. But on the flow of the game there are a few things that do not make sense, like strange loading screens, or something the scene ends where you do not expected.

But I really enjoyed the whole experience, I get the hate, but it's one of the best games of 2024, and I am so glad that I got played it.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure has been developed by Deck Nine and published by Square Enix on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S in autumn 2024. This episodic fantasy drama game is the fourth installment of the Life Is Strange video game series that has been existing for nine years as I'm writing this review. This new game easily outclasses its two immediate predecessors but doesn't match the original Life Is Strange released nine years ago.

The element fans have been most excited about is the return of the protagonist of the first game: Maxine Caulfield. In this game, she has moved to Lakeport, Vermont where she is working as a photographer-in-residence at Caledon University. She has left her family, her hometown and most memories of her past behind to start a new life. However, her life takes yet again a sinister turn when she finds her friend and the university president's daughter Safi Llewellyn-Fayyad shot to death on an observation deck. Maxine Caulfield will travel between a reality in which her new friend is dead and another one in which she is still alive to figure out what happened and how she can possibly save Safi Llewellyn-Fayyad.

This is the first game I have ever been playing on Playstation 5 and I have overall been enjoying Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. First and foremost, I have certainly appreciated the game's characters from brave, calm and intelligent Maxine Caulfield over arrogant, influential and secretive administrative assistant Vinh Lang to dishonest, narcissistic and popular head of the literature department Lucas Colmenero. Secondly, I have dug the video game's mysterious atmosphere thanks to numerous scenes taking place at night and the entire game set during a snowy winter. Thirdly, the video game's story has been intriguing enough to inspire me to finish this game in about one week and a half despite numerous other commitments. The game's length of about seventeen hours in my personal case represents exactly what I have been looking for. The challenge level is decent but not frustratingly difficult as it makes the entire game coherent and fluid from start to finish. Another noteworthy highlight has once again been the laid-back indie pop soundtrack that blends in splendidly, even for someone like me who usually prefers gothic rock and heavy metal.

However, this game hasn't been without a few flaws. The characters, plot lines and settings are a little bit too similar to the original Life Is Strange video game in my opinion. This is more than just a nod as this new game at times struggles to stand on its own two legs. Those elements also make the new game somewhat predictable and might not inspire fans to play this release multiple times. Since I value atmosphere over creativity, those downsides however don't ruin the game for me. While many other reviewers have expressed their different degrees of disappointment, my overall evaluation of Life Is Strange: Double Exposure remains very positive and I'm glad to have remained faithful to this video game series and would play another installment in a heartbeat.

To keep it short and simple, I would strongly recommend Life Is Strange: Double Exposure to fans of fantasy dramas who like to take their time exploring the game's atmosphere, characters and settings while those constantly comparing this game to the first installment in the series or those expecting a most creative reinvention of the franchise might both feel quite disappointed. As for potential new fans, I would obviously suggest discovering this franchise in chronological order but you can also play Life Is Strange: Double Exposure without any prior knowledge as the few noteworthy elements are briefly described in this new game to provide some valuable background information without spoiling the original game in my humble opinion.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a mixed bag of emotions. Some of that plays into its strongsuits. Others leave you wondering why small changes weren't considered.

The game takes place a decade after the events of the first Life is Strange game. We're once again in the shoes of Max Caulfield, and once again, we're snooping around. The first game revolved around a mystery hidden in plain sight, hidden by issues of sexism, money, and power. At its core, the disappearance of a girl. I won't spoil Life is Strange 1 here, but it is the best in the series, and should be played before Double Exposure. Can you jump in without playing the first game? Yes. But it's not as fulfilling without experiencing the backstory firsthand.

We get to see just how far Max Caulfield has come. She's more expressive, more assure of herself than ever, and still a snoop. That comes in handy when her friend Safi is murdered. A case that grows stranger the longer Max looks at it, and her proximity to the case draws the unwanted attention of a detective.

More than even the first game, you'll do some more traditional detective work. Interviewing suspects and people close to the case, without letting them know you're on to them. Press too hard and you may lose a source, don't ask enough, and you may not get the full picture. I really like how this game felt more like a detective story than past mysteries in the series.

Max's new power presents some fun puzzles, but is largely underutilized. Even at times when jumping between realities could provide a challenging puzzle, we're practically handed the solution with hints from objectives and Max's inner monologue. This game could have used a difficulty slider, including an option that turns off all non-essential objectives and lets us fail a little more.

And perhaps that brings me to Double Exposure's greatest flaw: the developers just like us too much. It's clear they didn't want any emotional blow to land like a gut punch and instead feel like a glancing blow. Every chance they had to really deliver a strong, gut-wrenching emotional impact, they found a way to soften it. Whether it's panning away during intense moments, time skips, or only seeing people's first reactions through text messages.

The other drawback is an awkward eavesdropping feature. There are many interesting side stories in this game, from a student facing bias, an art student looking to upset the status quo, a student-ran game, and cryptid enthusiasts on the hunt. However, they're mostly told through standing still near a conversation to overhear it, including waiting multiple seconds between beats in the conversation. It's awkward, and would have been better handled with a few more direct interactions. It's clearly a cost-saving measure to keep mocap and development time down, but I feel like it hurt the exploratory angle when we only can talk to the core suspects and friend group of Max.

Overall, the story opens up more than it wraps up, still giving us both satisfying conclusions and a lot to look forward to in this series. The focus on Max's past, her grief and trauma over previous choices, and her attitude with dealing with these problems changing and growing is well-done and satisfying. Max's previous relationships and history aren't given the attention they deserve, for sure, but as a middle sequel, with Max finding her own footing, it works. Music is incredible and immersive, lending itself to each situation. The voice acting and motion capture brings these characters to life like never before. This is the best we've seen Max Caulfield, not only in her life, but in the performance as well. It's a must-play for fans of the series, and the kind of game that raises the bar for the rest of the industry. Games should have feeling, they should have impact, they should feature diverse voices. Life is Strange continues to push the industry towards better games with Double Exposure.