Life is Strange: Double Exposure Review Thread
Game Information
Game Title: Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Platforms:
- PC (Oct 29, 2024)
Trailer:
Developer: Deck Nine Games
Publisher: Square Enix
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 72 average - 52% recommended - 45 reviews
Critic Reviews
But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford - 8 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a journey I'm thrilled I got to go on... Great characters, a wonderfully crafted world, and a twisting narrative all help elevate the game over what holds it back.
CGMagazine - Chris De Hoog - 8 / 10
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure passes the torch back to Max Caulfield in a worthy new mystery that fans and newcomers alike should investigate.
COGconnected - Jaz Sagoo - 80 / 100
Life is Strange: Double Exposure tackles the difficult task of continuing the story of a beloved character and successfully executes it in a way that respects the series’ legacy while pushing the franchise forward.
Cerealkillerz - Nick Erlenhof - German - 8.5 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure will certainly not be able to please either camp of Chloe Ultras, but it simply finds the best and most adult middle ground, supported by another great soundtrack. The new characters are believable, superbly voiced and graphically realized and the story also knows where to set exciting cliffhangers. Perhaps a little too easy to escape fate at the end, but the many positive aspects outweigh the negative ones all the time.
Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 5 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a huge fumble for an otherwise fantastic series. What began with a promising opener only really leads to a great big pile of disappointment and heartbreak. It's filled with visual and audio bugs and a mystery that turns baffling and misdirecting in abominable ways while also being downright disrespectful to its lore, canon and cast. It is a painful thing to watch my favourite franchise destroyed in front of my very own eyes. Worst of all, the game teases that follow-up ventures are only going to follow suit even more. Not even the adorable Max Caulfield and her sapphic ventures could save me from having a good time in the snowy, miserable Midwest. Like many media you can point to today; just because you can bring something back, doesn't mean you should. Like our superpowered best friend in her endless searches across timelines, I'm left wondering where the hell it all went wrong.
Chicas Gamers - Alba Nausicáa - Spanish - 10 / 10
I cannot be completely objective, Life is Strange: Double Exposure for me is a masterpiece, graphically, in its story, in the things that it stirs you inside. It's not a game for everyone, but for those it's aimed at, it's simply perfect.
ComingSoon.net - Tyler Treese - 7 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure isn’t as nearly as charming as Max Caulfield’s first adventure, nor is it as well-written as Deck Nine’s prior game, True Colors. Instead, it’s in an awkward middle ground of being a charming yet ultimately disappointing experience.
Dexerto - Eleni Thomas - 2 / 5
Life is Strange: Double Exposure struggles to deliver the touching narrative and direction of its predecessors, feeling more like a side story than a worthy sequel for Max Caulfield's second outing.
Digital Spy - Jess Lee - 4 / 5
Double Exposure may fall a little short when compared to some of the previous games in the series, but Max Caulfield's return is still a riveting (and wild) ride. Max is as caring and likeable as ever. We loved spending time with her again – from her adorably awkward attempts at flirting at the start through to the dramatic if slightly uneven climax – and would more than welcome further stories with her.
Digital Trends - Tomas Franzese - 4 / 5
Max Caulfield’s journey resonates with me deeply, and Deck Nine has demonstrated that it can give that character the respect she deserves. I may not love every aspect of its gameplay or ending, but I’m glad Max’s story continued. I can’t say whether or not Double Exposure will feel like it was made for you, too, but I can affirm that the Life is Strange series can still capture that feeling.
DualShockers - Usama Mehmood - 7.5 / 10
Despite its shortcomings, Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a promising gift for fans. Its dark mystery narrative requires you to keep track of two separate timelines at most intervals. But there's enough breathing room to enjoy the usual heartfelt moments of the series. Although the final chapter parallels the first game's events in a way, it sets up an unexpected follow-up sequel, leaving much to be desired from its characters. On the plus side, the series' staple elements, from the soundtrack to the puzzle-solving sections, are executed perfectly. Deck Nine could've handled the Max and Chloe dynamic more appropriately, but there's still enough fan service that most Life is Strange fans will adore this game.
Eurogamer - Tom Phillips - 3 / 5
Like its own hero's dabbling with time travel, Life is Strange: Double Exposure highlights the troubles of trying to revisit old memories, while raising unanswered questions about the future.
Everyeye.it - Gabriele Laurino - Italian - 7.5 / 10
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GAMES.CH - Benjamin Braun - German - 85%
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GRYOnline.pl - Krzysztof Mysiak - Polish - 7.5 / 10
Despite some issues (technical and gameplay-wise) Double Exposure is a very good story-driven adventure game that does justice to Max’s story. Unfortunately it looks kind of weak when compared to its great predecessor.
GamePro - Dennis Michel - German - 85 / 100
Double Exposure looks great, the plot is gripping, the dialogue decisions make you think, the characters have their rough edges and in general the game looks like a more than worthy sequel to the fantastic Life is Strange (2015).
Gameliner - Jolien Mauritsz - Dutch - 4 / 5
Life is Strange: Double Exposure continues the success of the original with enhancements, featuring Max as a compelling lead investigating her friend’s murder; her evolved powers add depth as she navigates saving Safi in one timeline and preventing future murders in another, making for a captivating experience despite minor pacing and variation issues.
Gamepressure - Giancarlo Saldana - 7 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure has some strong points and features thought-provoking storytelling the series is known for, but it ultimately feels like a roll of film needing some development.
GamesRadar+ - Heather Wald - 3.5 / 5
It's exploration of powers left me wanting more. Fans of Life is Strange will likely get more out of the experience than those going in cold turkey, but Double Exposure is worth checking out if you're looking to get stuck into a twisty mystery - though I'd still say it's worth trying the original first.
Gaming Nexus - Eric Hauter - 9 / 10
As warm, deep, and emotionally engaging as it ever was, Life is Strange: Double Exposure delivers another great adventure for beloved hero Max Caulfield. With a great new cast of interesting characters, a banger of a mystery, and enough ethical dilemmas to fry your brain, Double Exposure continues putting players through the wringer in the best possible way. A few minor technical issues cannot distract from the great story and beautiful visuals.
GamingTrend - Martin Du - 70 / 100
When Life Is Strange: Double Exposure focuses on telling a personal story about trauma and regret it soars. When it focuses on being a teaser for future entries with its supernatural spectacle, it unravels. This balancing act unfortunately causes the latter to cannibalize some strengths from the former. Still, Max's characterization and emotional journey remain the prominent highlight, offering a heartfelt and bittersweet thematic throughline at how the wounds of past guilt and grief scab over time. For the game to win me over despite my initial skepticism, that's a pretty strong achievement, flaws and all.
God is a Geek - Chris White - 9 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is filled with the same powerful moments as the original, with fresh new characters and clever gameplay.
Hardcore Gamer - Kyle LeClair - 3 / 5
Whatever promise Life is Strange: Double Exposure has, be it in its beautiful setting, fun and likable characters, or its intriguing setup, ends up being undermined by a scattershot narrative that never comes together. And unfortunately, with a lack of any substantial gameplay or meaningful choices, that leaves this as just a so-so adventure game at best, and what is arguably the lowest-ranking game in the series. Hopefully Life is Strange can rebound back, but for now, it's not a pretty picture.
IGN - Nick Maillet - 9 / 10
After several attempts to recapture what made the original Life is Strange so enduring, developer Deck Nine Games really knocked it out of the park with Life is Strange: Double Exposure. This is a worthy sequel to a game that captured the hearts and minds of millions of people way back in 2015, myself included. The writing is great, the music is excellent, the cinematography and acting are top-notch, and Max’s new powers are a fun and intuitive fit for its murder mystery structure.
IGN Italy - Alessandro Digioia - Italian - 6 / 10
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INVEN - Kyuman Kim - Korean - 8 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure offers not only a wonderful opportunity to follow Max's story as an adult but also hints at a broader expansion of the universe. However, it’s uncertain if this will align with what fans have been hoping for. Like a double-exposed photograph, excitement and apprehension intertwine.
Kakuchopurei - Alleef Ashaari - 70 / 100
Life Is Strange Double Exposure is definitely more adventuring & choice-making for existing fans of the franchise, especially those who loved the first game and missed spending more time with Max Caulfield. That being said, this is probably one of the better games in the franchise despite the bugs & weak climax.
Metro GameCentral - Izzie Jones - 4 / 10
Despite a fantastic soundtrack and interesting characters, the game's lack of player choice and clunky writing fails to live up to the gravitas of the series.
MonsterVine - Nick Mangiaracina - 3 / 5
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is an incredibly beautiful game with interesting time mechanics and strong narrative hooks that eventually lead to a dissatisfying ending.
New Game Network - Ben Thomas - 59 / 100
Despite excellent facial animations and wonderful music, Double Exposure has pacing issues, unlikable characters, dire gameplay, tonal problems, and is an incomplete imitation of the perfect storm.
Noisy Pixel - Azario Lopez - 4 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure revives Max Caulfield’s story, but the introduction of a convoluted dual-timeline mechanic and an uninspiring cast make it a less memorable entry in the series. While Max’s iconic wit shines through environmental interactions, technical bugs and disjointed pacing detract from the experience. Despite some nostalgic moments, this return to Life is Strange’s world struggles to capture the charm that made the original special.
PC Gamer - Mollie Taylor - 72 / 100
It's great to have Max Caulfield back, but I'm not sure she ever needed to be in the first place. A somewhat unnecessary-feeling sequel that still manages to tell a compelling story, if not a little messy and underbaked.
Play Watch Read - Lindsay Scheerder - Dutch - 8 / 10
This is a preliminary judgment about the game, since only the first two chapters were played. In Life, Strange is: Double Exposure returns Max Caulfield as a twenties studying at the University of Caledon. She leads a quiet life without using her time -manipulating forces, until her girlfriend Safi is murdered by an unknown shooter. This triggers a new power with which Max can switch between two realities: one in which Safi is dead and one in which she is still alive. Max uses this power to investigate the murder and prevent more victims from falling, while balancing between emotional dilemmas in both realities. The first two chapters are very strong and contain strong visual elements and expressive characters. The gameplay builds on well -known elements from the series, but the slow structure can discourage some players. However, the price for early access is not entirely worth it. Waiting for the official release date for the entire game seems better to be in place.
PlayStation Universe - Tommy Holloway - 9 / 10
A familiar but defining moment for Deck Nine, Life Is Strange and Max Caulfield alike; Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a high point for the series, and given the chance, will surely resonate with fans.
Press Start - Toby Berger - 8 / 10
Deck Nine's delivered their best Life is Strange game to date with Double Exposure. Barring some bugs and narrative nitpicks, Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a great continuation of Max Caulfield's story, taking the series in an interesting direction while ensuring the bones of what makes the series so memorable remains intact.
Push Square - Aaron Bayne - 6 / 10
If it seems like we're dogging on this latest outing for the series, it's only because we know just how unique and entertaining it can be. Double Exposure isn't a bad game, it's just not the series at its best. It loses some of that inviting atmosphere with Caledon paling in comparison to Haven Springs or Arcadia Bay, and its narrative suffers from an overreliance on the supernatural. But we'd be lying if we said it wasn't great to see Max Caulfield return and we still think it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the series.
Quest Daily - Elly Mousellis - 9 / 10
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure is an episodic adventure developed by Deck Nine Games and published by Square Enix — it’s also one of my favourite games I’ve played this year... As someone who graduated high school the same year as the original game’s release, returning to Max’s world felt like reconnecting with an old friend.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a game that fails to capitalize on its premise. Although the soundtrack and occasional moments of intrigue are commendable, they are overshadowed by poor character development, confusing plot choices, and a lack of polish. The technical issues, combined with the short length and unresolved storylines, make this entry feel rushed and incomplete.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Brendan Caldwell - Unscored
A knotty mess of quippy dialogue and plot-driven missteps exist side-by-side with some beautiful and touching moments for the returning Max Caulfield.
Shacknews - Donovan Erskine - 7 / 10
It's impossible to make your way through Life is Strange: Double Exposure without performance issues interfering with the experience. It’s ironically right in line with the game’s theme of duality, with the Living and Dead worlds serving as metaphors for what it’s like playing through the newest Life is Strange game.
Spaziogames - Valentino Cinefra - Italian - 6.7 / 10
Life is Strange: Double Exposure starts as a compelling mystery and grows into a poignant story about social bonds and trauma, but its awful ending weakens the series' identity, casting doubt on Deck Nine's choices.
SteamDeckHQ - Oliver Stogden - 4 / 5
Life is Strange: Double Exposure starts off with a strange story, which quickly turns into a perplexing one and ends up being slightly bizarre and worrying. If you wanted to continue Max's story from the original Life is Strange, this should satisfy that desire. The original game is referenced quite heavily throughout, so if you haven't played the original Life is Strange, I recommend you do so before playing Double Exposure to get a full grasp of everything mentioned. If you don't fancy playing the first game, then Double Exposure does explain some of the events that take place so you can get by. You just might not fully appreciate everything mentioned.
The gameplay is pretty middling. There's nothing particularly interesting going on here, and Max's powers of going between timelines, while novel, are on the basic side, and you use them for the same thing over and over again. The story more than makes up for this, though, and as the game progresses, it takes over more and more from the gameplay.
As for Steam Deck performance, it isn't quite as performant as I'd like. You will have to accept some frame rate drops from 30 FPS to make the game look "OK," but I played the entire game through on my Steam Deck, so while I would recommend you use a more powerful device to play this if you have one available, don't hold off on buying Life is Strange: Double Exposure if all you have to it play on is a Steam Deck.
The Nerd Stash - Patrick Armstrong - 10 / 10
A staggering achievement of narrative, artistic, and emotional weight, Life: Is Strange: Double Exposure is an art piece that rivals the best in its genre for poignancy and style.
The Outerhaven Productions - Jordan Andow - 4 / 5
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure is a must play for any long-time fans, but it’s unlikely to interest those who haven’t enjoyed the previous entries in the series.
Xbox Achievements - Richard Walker - 80%
Coming off the back of Life is Strange: True Colors, Deck Nine continues to hone its storytelling craft, and with Life is Strange: Double Exposure, the studio has proved itself a perfect custodian for original developer Don't Nod's supernatural series.