Square Enix Seeks Fan Input Following Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underwhelming Reception
Square Enix is conducting a post-launch survey targeting Life is Strange fans after the latest installment, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, failed to meet expectations. The survey delves into key aspects of the game, even directly asking players about its perceived value. Feedback gathered will likely inform the development of future Life is Strange titles.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure, released in October 2024, marked the return of fan-favorite protagonist Max Caulfield from the original 2015 game. Despite this, the game received a mixed reception, scoring a 73 on Metacritic (critic score) and a 4.2 (user score) on its PS5 version. This lukewarm response is largely attributed to significant narrative choices within the game.
Following the release, developer Deck Nine Studios announced layoffs in December 2024. In an effort to understand the game's shortcomings, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans. The survey covers various elements of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and purchase satisfaction. It also gauges players' interest in future installments based on their experience.
Understanding the Underperformance of Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive response to Life is Strange: Double Exposure, making the survey results crucial for identifying the game's weaknesses. This contrasts sharply with the positive reception of Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, which was lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional resonance. Alex Chen, the protagonist of True Colors, also resonated more strongly with players than the characters in Double Exposure.
The future of the Life is Strange franchise remains uncertain. While Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future installments, Square Enix's community feedback will significantly influence the direction of upcoming games. The extent to which future games will incorporate fan suggestions remains to be seen, sparking a debate about the balance between fan service and creative vision.
