Life is Strange Feedback Sought by Square Enix Amid Sales Slump

Square Enix Seeks Fan Input After Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underwhelming Reception

Following the less-than-stellar reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix is actively seeking feedback from fans through a comprehensive survey. The survey delves into key aspects of the game, even asking players about its perceived value. This feedback will likely shape the direction of future Life is Strange installments.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure, released in October 2024, marked the return of fan-favorite Max Caulfield from the original 2015 title. Despite this, the game received a mixed response, achieving a 73 critic score and a 4.2 user score on Metacritic. This underwhelming performance is largely attributed to significant narrative choices within the game itself.

The situation worsened with Deck Nine Studios, the developer, announcing 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. This survey covers various elements of Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, technical aspects, and ultimately, whether players felt the purchase was worthwhile and if their experience impacted their interest in future installments.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Performance

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive response to Double Exposure. The survey results will be crucial in pinpointing the game's weaknesses. This contrasts with the overwhelmingly positive reception of Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, which was lauded for its narrative and emotional depth, and its protagonist, Alex Chen, resonated strongly with players in a way Double Exposure's characters failed to achieve.

The future of the Life is Strange franchise remains uncertain. While Double Exposure hinted at potential plotlines for future entries, Square Enix's current community feedback initiative could significantly influence upcoming storylines. The balance between fan service and creative vision will be a key consideration as the series progresses.