Square Enix’s ‘Life Is Strange’ Spinoff Struggles to Find Its Place

Square Enix is puzzled by the poor performance of ‘Life Is Strange: Double Exposure,’ released last October. The game, developed by Deck Nine Studios, didn’t meet sales expectations, leading to a second round of layoffs at the studio in 2024.

This outcome is surprising, especially considering the return of the original protagonist, Max Caulfield, which many thought would boost the game’s success.

In response, Square Enix has sent out a survey titled ‘Calling all Life Is Strange fans: We want to hear from YOU!‘ to gather feedback from players. The 15-minute questionnaire asks about various aspects of the game, including its story, gameplay, and technical performance.

It also inquires whether players felt the game was worth purchasing and how their experience might influence their interest in future series entries.

Critically, ‘Double Exposure’ received a Metascore of 73 and a user score of 4.2 on PS5, indicating mixed to negative reception. In contrast, Deck Nine’s previous effort, ‘True Colors,’ achieved higher scores, with a Metascore of 81 and a user score of 6.9. These figures suggest that ‘Double Exposure’ failed to resonate with players as strongly as its predecessor.

The game’s launch was reportedly troubled, with technical issues and a more linear gameplay experience compared to ‘True Colors.’ These factors may have contributed to its lackluster reception and sales performance. Additionally, some players expressed disappointment, feeling that the series has lost its charm.

Square Enix’s decision to seek player feedback indicates a desire to understand the shortcomings of ‘Double Exposure’ and to improve future installments. By directly engaging with the community, they aim to identify areas needing enhancement to regain player trust and interest.

It’s worth noting that the ‘Life Is Strange’ series has a dedicated fan base, and the return of a beloved character like Max Caulfield was expected to be a strong selling point. However, the game’s failure to meet expectations highlights the challenges of reviving popular characters without delivering a compelling and polished experience.

As Square Enix analyzes the feedback from their survey, it remains to be seen how they will address the issues raised and what steps they will take to revitalize the ‘Life Is Strange’ franchise. Players who have experienced ‘Double Exposure’ are encouraged to share their thoughts to help shape the future direction of the series.

In conclusion, the underperformance of ‘Life Is Strange: Double Exposure’ has prompted Square Enix to reflect on what went wrong. Through player feedback, they hope to gain insights that will inform the development of future titles, ensuring they align more closely with player expectations and recapture the essence that made the series popular.

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