“Life is Strange: Double Exposure” review

Initial release date: October 29, 2024

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Developer: Deck Nine

Genres: Adventure game, Puzzle

Publishers: Square Enix, Square Enix Europe

Series: Life Is Strange

I can’t tell you how fantastic it felt to walk back into Max Caufield’s shoes. The original Life is Strange was a bizarre and moving story about two friends united by their fears and grief. It also raised the topic of whether you would modify events in your history. Aside from the superpowers, it was a very excellent narrative with well-developed and lovable characters who still mean as much to me today as they did back then. Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a more mature story in which Max has grown with the complexity of its storyline, and for those who are concerned that it may fall short of the original, I’m here to assure you that it pulls no punches and packs the same emotional impact as it did back then.

Max moved to Lakeport, Vermont, and is now a photographer-in-residence at Caledon University. She hasn’t used her powers since the events in Arcadia Bay and is now enjoying life with her two close pals, Moses and Safi. This is still the same Max. She’s still a little awkward and quirky, but she’s matured considerably. It’s fascinating to watch how her character has evolved while being fundamentally the same. While this is not a story about Chloe or Arcadia Bay, they are nonetheless an important component of her identity.

The references to her history throughout manage to tickle a portion of the brain that I, too, had tried to forget because of how difficult the last minutes of the original were, but also how fondly I remembered that small town in Oregon. But, alas, this is a new place, a new life, a new beginning. Lakeport is a beautiful town filled with snow, color, diversity, and life. From the Snapping Turtle bar to the university itself, individuals go about their everyday lives, conversing about everything and nothing at the same time. Max fits in as a figure of authority, just like her teachers before her, but when tragedy hits and her best friend Safi dies, it seems like some things never change.

I’m not going to spoil anything, but Deck Nine has written such a smart plot, full of the series’ trademark twists and turns while still include those heartbreaking moments. It contains several great scenes, although not all of them are serious. The novel is full with humour and warmth, which lets you connect with the characters. That humour has developed alongside the characters, and as someone who isn’t very young, I didn’t feel as distant as I expected. The dialogue is well written, and the performances are on par with the original.

There are some stunning revelations, and I wish I could tell you about them all. I can’t wait to tell others about it when it comes out since I adore what Deck Nine has created. Some will pick at it and not like the direction the developer has taken, but I believe the team has done an excellent job in creating this new life for Max and telling a sensitive and uplifting story that continues the journey of one of gaming’s greatest characters. It’s fantastic, and whether you agree with it or not, it’s difficult to dispute the effort put forward to do the Life is Strange series justice.

In terms of gameplay, it feels comparable to previous entries in the series. You’ll conduct chats with a variety of individuals in which even the smallest dialogue decision might have consequences. Then there are the big decisions, where the screen freezes and forces you to pick between two options, with some prompting you to spend minutes debating what to do for the best. Max’s abilities may not include rewinding time, but she has a few new tricks under her sleeve that she employs in ingenious ways. She may move between two timelines: the current one, in which Safi dies, and the one in which she survives.

This includes a number of smart puzzles in which you must hop between the Living and Dead timelines in order to uncover hidden things or documents before returning to the alternate reality. It’s constantly employed in new and fascinating ways, and while figuring out which one you need to be in can be complicated, the solution isn’t too difficult. On occasion, I struggled to figure out where to go or what to do because there are few instructions, especially when certain locations are fairly large for a Life is Strange title, but by interacting with people and items, Max will make a remark that often points you in the proper path. You may also ‘pulse’, which displays what is happening in your location in the other timeline without switching between them.

This allows you to listen in on other people’s chats, which may expose information you can use against someone. It’s cleverly designed and features a variety of gaming elements. She also has the capacity to bring stuff from an alternate timeline into your current one, which has some fascinating consequences. Aside from these new additions, the game retains its original style. You’ll look at images and emails, interact with things and leave comments that provide context, and talk to a variety of people who assist to fill out the story of life in Lakeport.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is rich in detail, and while all of the surroundings feel lived in and vibrant, some show Max’s difficulties and vulnerability. Character animations are also excellent; from the smallest movement of the mouth to the smallest blink of an eye, there is a wonderful sense of realism. Life Is Strange has always been known for its soundtracks, and this is no exception. Some of these songs add to the intensity of the key reveals and moments, particularly ‘Illusion’ by Tessa Rose Jackson, and ‘Someone Was Listening’, the title screen music by Dodie, has been stuck in my brain since I first heard it.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is an excellent continuation of Max’s story, both reminiscent of her beginnings and unique enough to stand on its own. The tale is its strongest element, but so are its characters, as there are many people here that are easy to identify to and love (Gwen is awesome!). With a terrific soundtrack and images, the universe comes to life in each chapter, and this will undoubtedly be with me for a long time. I adore Max, and I’m thrilled that Deck Nine has created something that will make her proud. Now, please forgive me while I cry into my pillow.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 88%

Controls: 86%

Aesthetics: 91%

Content: 83%

Accessibility: 81%

Value: 86%

Overall: 86%

GREAT!

Summary:

“Life is Strange: Double Exposure” transports players back to the eerily beautiful environment where every decision influences the narrative. The game’s narrative intensity, mixed with refined visuals and genuinely engrossing gameplay, provides the depth players anticipate. Though the material occasionally falls into similar territory, the attractive graphics and excellent controls keep the experience fresh and engaging. This sequel broadens its universe in all the right ways, appealing to both long-time fans and novices.