Life is Strange: Double Exposure

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 740 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Life is Strange: Double Exposure Game Cover
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is filled with the same powerful moments as the original, with fresh new characters and clever gameplay.
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"Life is Strange: Double Exposure" is an upcoming supernatural murder mystery game where players can pre-purchase the Ultimate Edition to access the first two chapters early and with no playtime limits. The Deluxe Edition includes two additional outfit packs for the protagonist, Max. The Spooky Outfit Pack allows players to embrace their ghost-hunting and monster-wrangling passions, perfect for Halloween or any time of the year. Saves automatically carry over to the full game.

Play Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 740 reviews
story151 positive mentions
optimization19 negative mentions
  • The graphics are stunning, showcasing beautiful environments and impressive facial animations.
  • The story is engaging and intriguing, with a captivating mystery that keeps players hooked.
  • Max's character development feels authentic, reflecting her growth and maturity since the first game.
  • The game has significant performance issues, including crashes and low frame rates even on high-end PCs.
  • Many fans are disappointed with how the game handles the relationship between Max and Chloe, feeling it disrespects the choices made in the first game.
  • Some dialogue choices feel forced and lack the depth and nuance of previous entries in the series.
  • story478 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many fans expressing disappointment over the sidelining of key characters like Chloe and the perceived lack of depth in the narrative. While some players appreciate the return of Max and find the new storyline intriguing, others criticize it for feeling disjointed, predictable, and lacking the emotional weight that characterized the original series. Overall, the game seems to struggle with balancing nostalgia for the original while attempting to forge a new path, leaving many fans feeling unsatisfied with the direction taken.

    • “This game was a good sequel to Life is Strange and a wonderful addition to the growing character that is Max. The characters throughout the story were great, and the Chloe/Max dynamic is more realistic and true to the characters.”
    • “The story is engaging with a solid cast of characters, but I just didn’t feel a strong connection to Safi, who you’re supposed to care about the most.”
    • “The story is really exciting; after going through the first two chapters, I was shocked.”
    • “One of the most disappointing aspects was how the game washed away core elements of the original story, particularly in how it sidelined Chloe.”
    • “The ending in particular lacks weight, as the supposed reveal feels predictable, with little mystery for players who have been following the story.”
    • “The game's script is completely lazy, as the developers go out of their way to ensure that the two endings of the first game have no impact on this one’s narrative, making the storyline almost identical regardless of the choice made in the first game.”
  • graphics144 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, detailed facial animations, and immersive environments, marking a significant improvement over previous titles in the series. However, many players have reported performance issues, including demanding hardware requirements, graphical bugs, and inconsistent frame rates, which detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are praised, some feel that the focus on graphics has overshadowed other important aspects, such as storytelling and gameplay optimization.

    • “Visually, the game excels; the graphics are beautiful, with enhanced facial expressions and subtle movements that breathe life into the world.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the facial animations are some of the best I’ve seen.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the face animations are probably the best I've ever seen before in a video game and that's why I'm giving the game a positive review.”
    • “Only issues no DLSS or FSR at the moment and it's too demanding on the GPU on the high settings for what the graphics offer.”
    • “However, no matter what I did to the graphics, the game still ran poorly.”
    • “It's so badly optimized to the point that if you don't have the number one graphics card on the market, don't even bother trying, unless you want to play with graphics worse than 2013's motion capture.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as "amazing" and integral to the experience, while others feel it lacks the impact of previous installments. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions and enhance the atmosphere, though some lament the absence of iconic tracks and memorable musical intros. Overall, while the music is generally appreciated, it appears to be a point of contention regarding its role and effectiveness compared to earlier games in the series.

    • “The soundtrack may be the strongest part of this game and possibly my favorite from the series.”
    • “The visuals are amazing, with an atmospheric soundtrack that sets up a beautiful, immersive world.”
    • “The music is wonderful like all Life is Strange games, the main cast is great, every single one of them, the graphics are amazing, probably the best it'll ever get for a Life is Strange game.”
    • “The soundtrack was also not that good, which honestly was the only really disappointing part of this game for me.”
    • “In some cutscenes, the music abruptly stops during scene switching.”
    • “The overall story is somewhat okay, but integrating Max into this was a big mistake... bad choice in original soundtrack, the licensed music is decent though.”
  • optimization73 mentions

    The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, inconsistent frame rates, and crashes, even on high-end hardware. While the graphics are praised for their beauty, the lack of proper optimization detracts significantly from the overall experience, leading to frustration among users. Many hope for future patches to address these critical performance problems.

    • “Hoping for small optimizations in performance for deck users to improve play, but still awesome!”
    • “For now I liked it, performance for me was really good on max, even though I have only an RTX 2060.”
    • “So far it's a good game and it runs smoothly with good graphics.”
    • “But it's more so that this game is a stuttering nightmare and the beginning section played fine but the game struggles to reach a consistent 60 for me.”
    • “This is one of the most poorly optimized PC games I’ve encountered.”
    • “Absolute terrible performance even in the lower settings despite not even looking good to the point it totally detracts from the game itself.”
  • gameplay52 mentions

    The gameplay features innovative mechanics, particularly the ability to shift between timelines, which enhances puzzle-solving and exploration. However, players have noted issues such as pacing problems, immersion-breaking black bars on widescreen displays, and occasional lag, alongside a mixed reception regarding character interactions and story integration. Overall, while the gameplay is engaging and offers unique experiences, it is marred by technical issues and some narrative disconnections.

    • “Shifting between timelines is a cool mechanic and it's used in some really fun puzzles.”
    • “The new gameplay mechanics are very interesting and fun to play around with.”
    • “Max’s ability to switch between universes offers plenty of exploration opportunities and extends the gameplay time, especially for those like me who enjoy exploring and playing at a relaxed pace.”
    • “The gameplay is mostly just frustrating.”
    • “Sadly though, the only thing breaking that immersion for me is the way the game crashes on me after several hours of gameplay with no functioning autosave.”
    • “So as I was saying, this game has an issue with the character interaction; for example, the first game had a nice way of integrating character interaction with gameplay moments, which don't seem to happen in this game and makes it feel disconnected, like there's two separate games: one with character interaction and one where Max is sneaking around investigating alone.”
  • emotional40 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to evoke strong feelings through well-crafted narratives, voice acting, and nostalgic elements. However, some players feel that it lacks the depth and emotional weight of the original game, citing rushed storytelling and less impactful character connections. Overall, while the game delivers emotional moments and heartwarming experiences, it struggles to fully capture the essence that made its predecessor so memorable.

    • “This game still tugs on my heartstrings in multiple ways and has already made me cry.”
    • “I'm not one to review games seriously, I'm also not a very emotional person; but this game... this game brought me to tears within the first hour.”
    • “It once again perfectly masters the balancing act between heartwarming and heartbreaking.”
  • stability37 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users noted minor issues and a generally smooth experience, the consensus is that the game remains unpolished, particularly in its early access state, leading to frustration among players who expected a more stable release. Overall, the technical problems detract from the otherwise engaging gameplay and visuals.

    • “The game itself looks great and, apart from minor issues, runs smoothly. It has an intriguing story, although some parts feel a bit forced and out of the player's control. Still, it manages to maintain a great experience throughout.”
    • “Early access is not as buggy as I thought it would be; the graphics are good, and the game is pretty stable otherwise.”
    • “Annoyed as hell that I spent this much on early access, when even after they patched it, it's still buggy.”
    • “Crashes and freezes frequently, to the point where it's unplayable.”
    • “This game is nothing more than a mess of bugs, glitches, and game-breaking issues.”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of quirky, dry wit and relatable character interactions, with players enjoying the charming inner monologues and funny dialogue. While some glitches are noted as annoying, they also add an element of humor, and the characters, particularly Moses, are seen as surprisingly funny and engaging. Overall, the humor resonates well with players, contributing to a lighthearted and nostalgic experience.

    • “Her dry humor and quirky inner monologue are just as sharp, adding a charming layer of relatability that makes her feel like our Max.”
    • “Moses, despite being a stereotype of an autistic scientist, is surprisingly charming and funny - to the point I wish he was the protagonist or at least a deeper character sometimes.”
    • “Where to start, the jokes so far are very new-gen like, the one-liners are cringe but funny in their own right, and the characters actually feel like they have a purpose.”
  • monetization13 mentions

    The monetization of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over its high price point, poor performance, and perceived lack of respect for the original series. Players feel that the game prioritizes profit over quality, with multiple expensive editions and a focus on generating revenue rather than delivering a satisfying experience. Overall, the sentiment is that the game exploits fan nostalgia while failing to meet expectations.

    • “Not waiting two months for the 10-year anniversary tells you pretty much everything you need to know about this cash grab.”
    • “An obvious cash grab and disservice to the original game.”
    • “Deck Nine, fix the game and give the license back to Dontnod or let Square Enix find another developer because this game was just a quick cash grab and a disservice to the fans. That's why you hid the early access behind an $80 paywall, so you can make your money back from the fans and run away with the cash. I am disappointed as a fan and gamer of the Life is Strange series, and I truly hope that another developer gets the license because this truly is a new low for gaming.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users expressing disappointment over its lack of the charm found in previous titles, while others praise the stunning graphics, immersive soundtrack, and nostalgic student environment. Many highlight the captivating visuals and emotional depth, suggesting that the atmosphere effectively draws players into the world. Overall, it seems to evoke a strong sense of place and emotion for those who appreciate its artistic style and sound design.

    • “The graphics and atmosphere are stunning, capturing the essence of the original perfectly.”
    • “The visuals are amazing, with an atmospheric soundtrack that sets up a beautiful, immersive world.”
    • “From the artistic standpoint, the colors, the atmosphere, everything feels like a warm, cozy hug to me.”
    • “Completely lacks the atmosphere that made former LIS games.”
    • “The full release is just around the corner and it is irritating having to wait this long for a game like this; the characters, the atmosphere, and the cliffhangers pull you in and you feel sucked into the world.”
    • “But if you’re here for a mystery and to experience the Life is Strange atmosphere, you won’t be let down.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and sometimes redundant, particularly with the new puzzle system and Max's superpower, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay. While some appreciate the concept, many feel that it requires excessive effort, likening it to needing "a second life" to fully engage with it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Not a big fan of Max's new superpower though, as it is a bit tedious and sometimes redundant.”
    • “The new puzzle system can be a bit tedious in some places.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in this game has been widely criticized, with many users finding the new characters uninteresting and feeling that established characters like Max and Chloe have regressed rather than evolved. Notably, Chloe's character has been described as poorly handled, undermining her previous growth and reducing her to a less mature portrayal. Overall, the lack of meaningful development has left players disappointed.

    • “And some good character development.”
    • “The story was super weak, the new characters are incredibly boring (except Moses, that man was awesome), and there was literally nothing new to Max Caulfield regarding her character development.”
    • “They didn’t even create a character design for Chloe.”
    • “I didn't want to believe it, so I had to see for myself, but the criticism was all valid: they nuked Chloe's character from orbit, ignored all character development that happened in the previous games (for both Chloe and Max), and just made her act like a childish jerk to get rid of her for this game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game's replayability is questioned, with some users indicating that if it lacks sufficient playability, they would seek refunds to purchase it on a more compatible system.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
2-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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