Life is Strange: Double Exposure

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,070 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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,070 reviews
story734 positive mentions
optimization60 negative mentions
  • The graphics are stunning, showcasing beautiful environments and impressive facial animations.
  • The story is engaging and filled with intriguing plot twists that keep players hooked.
  • Max's character development feels authentic, reflecting her growth and maturity since the first game.
  • The game fails to respect the choices made in the original Life is Strange, particularly regarding Max and Chloe's relationship.
  • Many characters feel underdeveloped and lack the depth that made previous entries memorable.
  • The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many plot points unresolved and setting up for a sequel rather than providing closure.
  • story2,797 mentions

    The story of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many fans expressing disappointment over its handling of beloved characters and plotlines from the original game. While the initial chapters are praised for their engaging mystery and character development, the latter parts of the game are criticized for being rushed, convoluted, and lacking the emotional depth that defined the series. Overall, the narrative struggles to balance nostalgia with new storytelling, leaving some players feeling that it fails to respect the choices made in previous installments.

    • “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 and but does feel a tad rushed at the end as to fit in enough supernatural escalation to compare with the first series.”
    • “The story is beautifully layered, with themes of friendship, love, and loss that hit hard.”
    • “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 story itself doesn't even go anywhere, and none of the interesting plot threads are resolved or even examined.”
  • graphics660 mentions

    The graphics in 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 often described as breathtaking, the game's optimization and technical stability remain points of contention among users.

    • “Visually, the game excels; the graphics are beautiful, with enhanced facial expressions and subtle movements that breathe life into the world.”
    • “The graphics are superb and the facial animations this time around are amazing and very detailed.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, each scene beautifully capturing the emotions and nuances of the story, and this attention to detail really brings the game to another level.”
    • “However, no matter what I did to the graphics, the game still ran poorly.”
    • “I'm sad it didn't work out, but I have refunded this game as it is not worth it at this point when my whole playtime has been working through graphics and getting nowhere.”
    • “It feels like the whole budget was spent on the graphics.”
  • music488 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as a highlight, featuring beautiful and atmospheric tracks that enhance the emotional depth of the story. However, some players feel that the music lacks the memorable impact of previous installments, often serving as background rather than an integral part of the experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, it is noted that it doesn't quite reach the heights of earlier games in the series.

    • “The soundtrack is on point.”
    • “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, and Hannah Telle delivered her best performance yet in mocap!”
    • “The music is pristine and divine.”
    • “The soundtrack was also not that good, which honestly was the only really disappointing part of this game for me.”
    • “The soundtrack so far is the worst in the series, but this is just subjective.”
    • “I wish I had more good things to say honestly but even the music is such a letdown compared to all other Life is Strange titles.”
  • gameplay378 mentions

    The gameplay in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" features an intriguing timeline-shifting mechanic that allows for creative puzzle-solving, though many players find it repetitive and lacking in depth. While some appreciate the fluidity and polish of the new mechanics, others criticize the overall gameplay for being tedious, with limited exploration and minimal impact from player choices. Despite these mixed feelings, the game retains a strong narrative focus, appealing to fans of the series who enjoy story-driven experiences.

    • “Shifting between timelines is a cool mechanic and it's used in some really fun puzzles.”
    • “The mechanics feel so fluid and polished, which really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The gameplay kept me hooked, with moments that had me on the edge of my seat and others that made me smile and laugh.”
    • “The gameplay is mostly just frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay is short—I finished it in about 10 hours, and I tried to talk to everyone and interact with everything.”
    • “Recycled locations: you're forced to comb through the same five areas repeatedly, making gameplay feel both tedious and uninspired.”
  • emotional280 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling it lacks the depth and impact of its predecessors. While some moments resonate and evoke nostalgia, particularly for returning character Max, others criticize the narrative for being rushed and failing to establish strong emotional connections with new characters. Overall, the game is seen as a visually stunning experience that offers emotional highs but ultimately falls short of the profound storytelling that defined the original series.

    • “This game still tugs on my heartstrings in multiple ways and has already made me cry.”
    • “It's an emotional experience that sticks with you long after the credits roll.”
    • “Double exposure feels like a love letter to the first game, with solid themes and a heart-wrenching exploration into Max's trauma and her desperation to be good and to do good.”
    • “lis2 had plenty to love but was ultimately a deeply boring story, boring characters, a boring power, and very poorly written all around.”
  • optimization241 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 effective optimization options, such as upscaling technologies, has left players frustrated and unable to achieve a stable gaming experience. Overall, many reviewers recommend waiting for patches or improvements before purchasing.

    • “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 in this 2 chapters I have 0 complaints, the characters are good so far even though we really haven't had time to really meet them and the graphics and performance are excellent, I really don't get how people are having issues.”
    • “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.”
  • stability119 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, visual glitches, and performance issues, particularly in cutscenes. While some users noted minor bugs and a generally smooth experience, many expressed frustration over the game's early access state, citing it as a "buggy mess" that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires significant optimization and bug fixes to reach a playable standard.

    • “The game itself so far looks great and apart from minor issues runs great as well.”
    • “Early access is not as buggy as I thought it would be; the game is pretty stable otherwise.”
    • “The game has an intriguing story and manages to keep it great throughout despite some minor issues.”
    • “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.”
    • “Annoyed as hell that I spent this much on early access, when even after they patched it, it's still buggy.”
  • atmosphere86 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its stunning graphics, immersive soundtrack, and ability to capture the essence of the original series. However, some critics feel it lacks the charm and introspective depth that defined earlier titles, describing it as sterile or overly focused on spectacle. Overall, while the visuals and sound design are highlighted as strong points, opinions vary on whether the atmosphere successfully evokes the emotional weight and cozy feel of previous installments.

    • “The graphics and atmosphere are stunning, capturing the essence of the original perfectly.”
    • “The game has a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the story's emotional beats.”
    • “Visually, the game's hand-painted style and atmospheric lighting bring Arcadia Bay to life, capturing the small-town vibe and amplifying its eerie undertones.”
    • “Completely lacks the atmosphere that made former Life is Strange games.”
    • “This shift toward a 'superpower' spectacle dilutes the introspective, grounded atmosphere that initially defined the series.”
    • “The atmosphere is too sterile and the dialog is often poorly timed.”
  • humor83 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the quirky, dry wit of characters like Max and Moses, who provide charming and relatable moments. While some found the humor to be cringe-worthy or overly reliant on modern tropes, others enjoyed the lighthearted dialogue and comedic situations, even finding glitches amusing. Overall, the humor adds a nostalgic charm, though it sometimes feels overshadowed by a lack of emotional depth and character development.

    • “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.”
  • monetization77 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the high price points, including an $80 standard edition, and the perceived lack of value in the content offered. Players feel that the game prioritizes profit over quality, with many elements designed to entice purchases for future installments rather than delivering a satisfying standalone experience. Overall, the sentiment is that the game exploits nostalgia while failing to capture the essence of the original series, leaving fans feeling cheated and frustrated.

    • “An obvious cash grab and disservice to the original game.”
    • “I deeply regret contributing money to this project and the absolute shameless commandeering of a beloved franchise for a cash grab.”
    • “This game is simply a poorly disguised cash grab from developers who seem to have missed the heart of the franchise entirely.”
  • character development58 mentions

    Character development in the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of meaningful growth for key characters like Max and Chloe, who seem to regress rather than evolve. While some appreciated Max's return and minor developments, the overall sentiment is that the game fails to capture the emotional depth and impactful choices that defined earlier installments in the series, leaving many characters feeling forgettable and underdeveloped. The introduction of new characters has also been met with disappointment, as they are often described as boring and lacking depth.

    • “I really enjoyed playing as Max again; it was nice to see her character development.”
    • “I really like Max's character development. I hope in the future, instead of introducing a new protagonist for the Life is Strange series, I'd rather have our original protagonist come back in a future series.”
    • “I played the original Life is Strange back in 2015 when there were only two episodes released, and it was magic in terms of its powerful themes, conflicts, and character development.”
    • “There’s no meaningful character development; the game feels empty and rushed, almost as if Max was added last-minute to lure fans and boost sales.”
    • “It failed to retain the unique essence of this franchise, with poor character development, and many choices that hardly impact the storyline.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding33 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the gameplay tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the need to revisit the same locations and the mechanics of the new power. While some appreciate the story and concept behind the gameplay, the overall experience is often described as a slog, especially in later chapters where tasks feel unnecessary and solutions are overly simplistic.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It often feels 'grindy,' as though some sections exist just to pad the playtime with unnecessary tasks.”
    • “The first two episodes start out extremely strong and the third episode is okay, but it all comes to a grinding halt when the entire mystery is revealed at the very beginning of chapter 4, leaving the last two chapters to be a complete slog as you work to tie up loose ends and get retribution.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as limited, with many players feeling it lacks the depth and variety found in previous installments of the series. While some acknowledge a degree of replay value, it is generally considered less significant after the initial playthrough, leading to disappointment among fans of the original developers.

    • “The replay value and conclusion are well worth exploring.”
    • “There is definitely some replayability, but I'm sure it's not going to make a significant difference in terms of the actual story.”
    • “The replay value, even if it is there, is not as great for me as for others, at least after the first playthrough.”
    • “For me, this game has no replayability, unlike Life is Strange 1 and 2, which were both made by the original developers, Dontnod.”
    • “There is definitely some replayability, but I'm sure it's not going to make a difference in terms of the actual story.”
    • “Replay value and conclusion.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
8-17hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

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