Life is Strange: Double Exposure Reviews
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is the sequel that nobody expected or really wanted, and yet it is exactly what the fans of the franchise deserved.
This installment impresses with a compelling narrative and engaging characters, though some awkward dialogue detracts from the experience. It's a worthy continuation for both fans and newcomers.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings Max back with a mystery full of twists and new superpowers that add a new layer to investigation but lacks the emotional punch the franchise is known for.
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure incorporates many elements that made the original Life Is Strange a modern classic. On paper, it promises a winning formula with the return of Max Caulfield, an interconnected universe, and engaging cliffhangers. However, the execution falls short of elevating the overall experience. Like Life Is Strange: True Colors, I had high hopes for this game. The setup is excellent, featuring likable characters, an intriguing premise, and a fantastic soundtrack. The journey is quite enjoyable up to the midpoint, but it seems Deck Nine struggles to deliver a satisfying conclusion for Double Exposure, unlike True Colors.
‘Life is Strange: Double Exposure’ is a direct sequel to the first game that continues Max’s personal growth while providing a solid cast of new characters. However, the pacing feels rushed towards the latter half of the game and gameplay mechanics aren’t as interesting as previous entries.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is definitely a worthy sequel to Max Caulfield's first adventure. Returning to impersonate the protagonist of the first chapter conveys a decidedly successful nostalgia effect, thanks to the many references present. The new narrative plot is very well told and allows you to immerse yourself in the emotions and feelings of an adult Max. Nevertheless, Deck Nine Games' product is only half successful. This is because the choices given to the player lead to limited changes, without effectively affecting the game's ending. In other words, the sense of freedom is only apparent and replayability suffers greatly. The same goes for the gameplay. The inclusion of alternative dimensions could have opened up a range of options that are almost always reduced to having to enter one reality to pick up an item to use in the other. In short, it seems that Deck Nine Games wanted to do the bare minimum by creating a game that is certainly enjoyable but gets lost in a glass of water. Who knows what would have happened if the American team had had the courage to dare more. Perhaps, there is an alternative world in which this happened.
Review in Italian | Read full review
This is a solid creation from a dedicated team, backed by a brilliant cast and a stellar engine that makes the game look unbelievably good at times. Max Caulfield is back and she's better than ever, and that's all the average fan should need to know to pick up their copy.
The decision to bring Max back was always going to create a tall order for Deck Nine. Despite some familiarity and a few choices not feeling impactful enough, they overall did a good job and have shown they can do the character justice. While their ending payoffs aren’t quite as good as Don’t Nod I’ve still enjoyed how they’ve handled the franchise overall and hopefully they do reign it in a bit in relying on the supernatural aspects in the future.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is yet another addition to the series that never quite hit the same highs after its initial success with the original. This title feels like the series at its lowest. Not even the return of the beloved main character of the first game was enough to save just how shallow the writing of the game feels after episode 2.
The pace of this game is different from your usual all-in gaming fare. There’s a lot of build up, a lot of character development over hours of gameplay, and actually - not as much gameplay as you’d expect.
Life is Strange Double Exposure is worth your time as it'll stir up some deep emotions (especially if you've played the original). Some bugs detract from the overall enjoyment of the adventure as the story is really fun to play through.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
A compelling return for Max Caulfield with a gripping story and emotional depth, held back by technical issues and repetitive environments.
Review in German | Read full review
I'm a huge fan of the series, but unfortunately Life is Strange: Double Exposure didn't quite hit the spot for me. On the one hand, too little has happened for me in terms of gameplay. Secondly, Max's powers and their development seem too forced and exaggerated. The parallel timelines are a good approach, but the repetitive patterns quickly lead to impatience and confusion. On the other hand, the sequel convinces me again with many of the things I love about Life is Strange: a great soundtrack, intense atmosphere, beautiful locations and a certain melancholy. Because of this Life is Strange feeling, I can overlook the weaknesses, even though I think there have been stronger sequels in recent times.
Review in German | Read full review
In a way, Life is Strange: Double Exposure felt like returning home. While it doesn’t quite overshadow the original, it delivers more of what made the series so special in the first place while having its own identity.
“Life is Strange: Double Exposure” kept me glued to the screen until the very end. Unfortunately, some small bugs, together some immersion-breaking moments, kept tearing me out of the experience. Still, fans of the series can pick it up without hesitation. But newcomers will also be sufficiently taken in by the new murder mystery.
Review in German | Read full review
Life is Strange: Double Exposure might not have the same emotional impact as the original title, but it's still a worthwhile journey you shouldn't pass up on.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is the return of an excellent protagonist to a franchise still capable of stirring up great emotions. Although the story addresses important themes through a development that may seem confusing and controversial at times, the end result points to something bigger for the future of the series.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Life is Strange: Double Exposure fails to achieve the emotional impact that the series delivered, especially in the first title. With a narrative that paves the way for future games more than it closes narrative arcs, the title feels incomplete.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Another solid entry in the series, Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back a fan-favorite for a time-bending adventure that mostly delivers on the human side of things, too. It’s a welcome addition and a great excuse to play as Max again.
After more than 8 hours and the 5 chapters behind me, with a relatively satisfying and interesting ending, it is clear that the story is well put together. It becomes a bit more 'mystical' and 'woolly' from chapter 4 and then you also fly to the end, but in the end I could look back on my experience with reasonable satisfaction. It is a pity that the locations are so much of the same and that the conversations sometimes have to be digested very slowly. The main character, Max, also comes across as a bit boring and too sweet and could have had a bit more experience. Her soft voice is therefore not convincing enough. The extra clothing that you can apply to your character also feels very unnecessary, just like the social media and messages that you can follow on your mobile. Life is Strange: Double Exposure is however a fine game if you like an entertaining story and do not have too high expectations in terms of gameplay.
Review in Dutch | Read full review