Square Enix Requests Life is Strange Feedback Following Poor Sales

Following the less-than-stellar reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix is conducting a fan survey to understand what went wrong. The survey delves into various aspects of the game, even asking players about its value and whether their experience impacts their interest in future installments. The feedback gathered will likely shape the direction of future Life is Strange titles.

The October 2024 release of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, a continuation of Max Caulfield's story, initially held promise. However, Max's return didn't translate into success. The game received mixed reviews, scoring a 73 on Metacritic (critics) and a 4.2 (users) on the PS5 version. Many cite significant story choices as a contributing factor to this underwhelming response.

The situation worsened with Deck Nine Studios, the developer, announcing layoffs in December 2024. In an effort to learn from Double Exposure's shortcomings, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans. This survey covers crucial areas like narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and whether players felt the game was worth the purchase price, and if their experience affected their anticipation for future games.

Square Enix Seeks Answers to Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underperformance

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive reaction to Double Exposure, making the survey results critical in identifying the game's weaknesses. Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, was lauded for its narrative and emotional depth, and its protagonist, Alex Chen, resonated with players in a way Double Exposure's characters didn't.

While Life is Strange: Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future entries, Square Enix's community feedback will significantly influence upcoming games. The balance between fan service and creative vision remains a discussion point, and the extent to which future games will adapt to player preferences remains to be seen.