Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is filled with the same powerful moments as the original, with fresh new characters and clever gameplay.

70%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

optimization, stability

67% User Score Based on 4,642 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

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About

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Deck Nine Games and was released on October 29, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Life is Strange: Double Exposure screenshot

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67%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,642 reviews

story1.1k positive mentions

optimization73 negative mentions

The return of Max Caulfield is nostalgic and well-executed, showcasing her growth as a character.
The graphics and art style are stunning, with detailed character animations and beautiful environments.
The story is engaging, with intriguing twists and a compelling mystery that keeps players invested.

The choices made throughout the game feel inconsequential, lacking the meaningful impact seen in previous entries.
The pacing in the last two chapters is rushed, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion that leaves many plot threads unresolved.
The absence of Chloe Price and the handling of her character's fate disappoints many fans, undermining the emotional weight of the original game.

story
4,328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
69%
6%
The story of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over its execution. While the initial chapters are praised for their engaging mystery and character development, the latter parts of the game are criticized for convoluted plotlines, unresolved story arcs, and a lack of meaningful choices that impact the narrative. The absence of beloved characters like Chloe has also left some fans feeling disconnected, leading to a perception that the game serves more as a setup for future installments rather than a standalone story. Overall, while the game offers beautiful visuals and a nostalgic return to Max's character, its storytelling struggles to meet the high standards set by previous entries in the series.
- “I love the scenes, story, surprises, and lots of snow in this game. I enjoyed some of the character writing, like Moses and Gwen, who had really nicely written characters and very good interactions that aided the story.”
- “The story is compelling and satisfying - in some respects possibly more satisfying than Life is Strange 1.”
- “The story is intriguing and keeps surprising you right to the end, where everything goes weird and unsettling in a way very reminiscent of the end of the original game.”
- “This game felt more like a setup for a sequel than its own story, so the ending feels a little incomplete.”
- “The story is devoid of intrigue, and the roles of the 'good' and 'bad' are spelled out too bluntly, leaving no room for ambiguity and reflection.”
- “The choices often don’t carry meaningful consequences, giving the illusion of making important decisions — at first it feels like you’re influencing the story, but in reality, you’re not.”
graphics
947 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
4%
The graphics in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and detailed character animations as the best in the series. However, players have reported significant performance issues, including graphical glitches, blurriness, and the need for extensive tweaking of settings to achieve playable frame rates. While the art style has evolved to a more realistic approach, some fans miss the unique charm of the original games' aesthetics.
- “The graphics are the best the series has ever seen and the detail is incredible.”
- “On the positive side, the graphics are impressive — everything feels more alive and visually pleasing.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the soundtrack (as always) is amazing, and the storyline is well written and touching.”
- “I expected a game that runs buttery smooth, like True Colors, but instead I got a technical mess, with horrendous performance, graphical glitches, FPS drops, texture pop-ins, and weird post-processing.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from a modern game.”
- “The graphics are a blurry mess, especially when playing in 4K.”
music
776 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
44%
3%
The music in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, while others feel it falls short compared to previous titles in the series. While some tracks are highlighted as standout moments, many players noted issues with audio mixing, such as abrupt volume changes and music overshadowing dialogue. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered good, but lacks the memorable impact of earlier entries, leaving fans divided on its effectiveness in capturing the essence of the franchise.
- “The soundtrack is, as always, absolutely on point, though I do wish the audio mixing was a little better; some dialogue moments can be a bit quiet compared to everything else.”
- “The music is amazing, still one of the strongest elements of these interactive adventure stories; however, the gameplay is a bit safe, level design is not so straightforward.”
- “The music carries a lot, but the scenes are missing all atmosphere.”
- “The music, which was a highlight in previous entries, is forgettable and fails to set the right mood.”
- “The soundtrack is a big step down from the first game.”
- “The music isn't as good and very forgettable.”
gameplay
585 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The gameplay in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the introduction of new mechanics, particularly the timeline-shifting ability, which adds a fresh twist to the series. However, critics note that the gameplay often feels simplistic and repetitive, with underutilized mechanics and a lack of meaningful choices, leading to a less engaging experience compared to previous installments. While the visuals and narrative elements are praised, the overall gameplay is seen as lacking depth and polish, leaving some players disappointed.
- “The dual-timeline mechanic is brilliantly executed, adding layers of mystery and tension that kept me hooked from start to finish.”
- “The gameplay is engaging, and the choices feel meaningful.”
- “The new gameplay mechanics are very interesting and fun to play around with.”
- “The groundwork is already there in the level of detail and gameplay mechanics, but the moments of application and lack of scope severely hinders the game's ability to make the most of what it does well.”
- “The gameplay is lazy and insulting.”
- “The gameplay feels dull because the world around is dead — no engaging scripts, few impactful choices, few locations with little to explore.”
emotional
464 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it contains some heartfelt moments and nostalgic callbacks to the original game, it ultimately lacks the emotional depth and impactful storytelling that defined earlier entries in the series. Critics highlight a disconnection from new characters and a failure to create meaningful emotional stakes, leading to a less engaging experience overall. Despite this, some players still found value in the emotional journey and character growth, appreciating the game's atmosphere and music, which contribute to its emotional resonance.
- “The way Chloe’s relationship and passing affected her felt real; she’s braver, stronger, and still carries that emotional weight.”
- “That game set a standard for emotional storytelling, atmosphere, and character depth that still hasn’t been matched.”
- “Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a beautiful, emotional, and deeply satisfying entry in the series.”
- “This game is not even comparable to the previous games of Life is Strange; it has a boring storyline, and Denuvo is ruining the performance.”
- “Boring, repetitive with a boring story.”
- “Life is Strange 2 had plenty to love but was ultimately a deeply boring story, with boring characters, a boring power, and very poorly written all around.”
optimization
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
56%
24%
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frame rate drops, graphical glitches, and bugs that detract from the overall experience. Even high-end systems struggle to maintain stable performance, leading to frustration among users who expected a smoother gameplay experience. While the voice acting and character animations are praised, the poor optimization has left many feeling disappointed and urging potential players to wait for patches before purchasing.
- “Optimization is top notch, no issues booting out of the box, looks great, puzzles and finding secrets are amazing.”
- “The performance capture and animation for the actors is amazing; if you pay attention, you can discover little gestures of human nature that elevate their performances beyond what any other Life is Strange game has done before.”
- “Despite some optimization issues that did bother me at times, Life is Strange: Double Exposure delivers a compelling experience filled with beautiful twists and a return to the classic gameplay style we love.”
- “The game is so poorly optimized that it heavily detracts from the actual beauty of the game.”
- “I expected a game that runs buttery smooth, like True Colors, but instead I got a technical mess, with horrendous performance, graphical glitches, FPS drops, texture pop-ins, and weird post-processing.”
- “First of all: optimization, it looks like they didn't even try. My PC - R5 7600, RTX 3060 12GB, 32GB of RAM and the game on M.2 SSD, and I don't even have stable 60 FPS on high settings, didn't even try the highest, on average 30-38 FPS.”
stability
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches, including T-posing NPCs, floating objects, and significant performance issues such as frame drops and crashes. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on high-end systems, many others experienced frustrating technical problems that detracted from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and poorly optimized. Despite its impressive graphics, the persistent glitches and lack of polish have left many players disappointed.
- “Graphics-wise, it looks amazing and runs great.”
- “This game may not be a technical marvel, but it runs great, at least it did for me.”
- “The game looks great and, apart from minor issues, runs well. It has an intriguing story, but some parts feel a bit forced and out of the player's control. Still, it manages to keep it great throughout.”
- “I expected a game that runs buttery smooth, like True Colors, but instead I got a technical mess, with horrendous performance, graphical glitches, FPS drops, texture pop-ins, and weird post-processing.”
- “The entire game is buggy as hell and by the last couple of chapters, everything feels rushed at best, lazy and disappointing at worst.”
- “Crashes and freezes frequently, to the point where it's unplayable.”
atmosphere
135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy, immersive qualities, reminiscent of the original *Life is Strange* series, with beautiful visuals and a hauntingly effective soundtrack that enhances emotional storytelling. While some reviewers note that it may not fully capture the depth of earlier installments, many appreciate the nostalgic elements and the engaging world-building that draws players into the narrative. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating ambiance that resonates with fans of the franchise.
- “The game perfectly captures the atmosphere of a small winter town, and the engine really brings it to life.”
- “Absolutely perfect — atmospheric, emotional, and haunting in all the right ways.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible.”
- “The expectations associated with nostalgia for the original game have not been fulfilled, and attempts to replicate its structure and atmosphere have led to disastrous results.”
- “The resolution of the models and textures, the quality of the hair, the lighting, and the atmosphere also leave much to be desired.”
- “This shift toward a 'superpower' spectacle dilutes the introspective, grounded atmosphere that initially defined the series.”
monetization
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
1%
97%
The monetization aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the reliance on nostalgia and the lack of meaningful content. Players feel that the DLCs and various editions are overpriced and serve primarily to exploit fans rather than enhance the gaming experience. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over quality, leaving many fans feeling betrayed and frustrated.
- “The monetization is worth the dislike.”
- “This reads as a clear attempt to profit off of the fans, which I was already suspicious of given the shady nature of the deluxe edition monetization.”
- “Honestly, it felt more like a cash grab than anything meaningful or worthwhile.”
- “This game is blatantly just a cash grab, capitalizing on fans' nostalgia for Max and the first Life is Strange game.”
- “I deeply regret contributing money to this project and the absolute shameless commandeering of a beloved franchise for a cash grab.”
humor
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and humorous situations that evoke genuine laughter. While some found the humor charming and reminiscent of the original series, others criticized it for being inconsistent or overly reliant on cringe-worthy moments. Overall, the game successfully balances lighthearted humor with emotional depth, though technical glitches sometimes detracted from the experience.
- “The dialogues have some pretty good real-life humor and good chemistry between characters.”
- “Funny and likable characters.”
- “Max is still her old 'selfie' with her silly sense of humor, and there are so many really likable characters.”
- “In the game, you use humor to deal with everyday problems like, 'I need a small step ladder to reach a decoration, but there is no one here. Wait, in the other timeline, I see one...' Traveling to the other timeline to get a step ladder is not funny!”
- “I played this game with my friend, and it was fun to debate each choice and react to characters' funny (and sometimes cringey) dialogue.”
character development
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
57%
17%
Character development in this game has received mixed to negative feedback, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the lack of depth and meaningful growth for both returning and new characters. While some appreciated Max's character arc and the emotional moments tied to her decisions, others criticized the overall narrative for feeling rushed and disconnected, leading to underwhelming character progression and unresolved storylines. The game's strong visual and artistic elements were often overshadowed by the perceived shortcomings in character development, leaving players wanting more from the emotional storytelling that the series is known for.
- “Following (and, to some extent, steering) Max's character development through the game was extremely rewarding - at least for my headcanon Max, who was still dealing with enormous guilt, inner conflict, and strained relationships arising from her decisions in the original game.”
- “Max choosing to face the storm, instead of allowing this screwed-up universe to keep taking from her, felt like an incredibly strong and poignant character development moment.”
- “I really enjoyed playing as Max again; it was nice to see her character development.”
- “Character development went to shit, key plot lines just up and disappeared (alderman...enough said) and the ending was just so underwhelming and confusing.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
grinding
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
33%
60%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Many reviews highlight the back-and-forth mechanics and puzzle-solving as particularly uninspired and drawn out, leading to a lack of enthusiasm for replaying the game. While some elements show potential, they are frequently overshadowed by the overall tediousness of gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Sadly, the final episodes are not just baffling; they're also tedious and read like publisher interference trying to push a sequel.”
- “The back and forth shifting feels tedious - nothing like the interesting rewind ability from the previous game.”
- “It can get rather tedious solving this game's few (and incredibly basic) puzzles.”
replayability
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
52%
32%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited due to its linear story and minimal impact from player choices, with many players feeling it lacks the depth and variability found in earlier titles in the series. While some optional content and exploration can extend playtime, the consensus is that the game is more suited for a single playthrough rather than repeated runs. A few players noted a slight urge to replay for different outcomes, but this was not enough to significantly enhance replay value.
- “And as always, it left enough replay value since I didn't explore all options yet.”
- “Replayability—people on Steam reviews would have you unfairly believe this is a '5 hour game' that is not true. The game will let you finish fast if you want to, but there are tons of optional content (journal entries, text messages, social media posts, optional conversations and observations in every single room). Not to mention, you get a strong urge to replay the game to test different outcomes.”
- “For once, a Life is Strange game actually had more 'gameplay' and replayability in its achievement hunting.”
- “As the story is also quite linear (broadly speaking, plot outcomes are not massively affected by player decisions), replayability is somewhat limited.”
- “This game though is more of a play once then put it on the shelf until you maybe want to play it again when you don't have anything else to play... not much replay value really.”
- “There's no replay value, unlike the previous titles.”

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76%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews

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10h Median play time

10h Average play time

8-17h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a action adventure game.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing Life is Strange: Double Exposure.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure was released on October 29, 2024.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure was developed by Deck Nine Games.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a single player game.

Similar games include Life is Strange: True Colors, Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Life is Strange 2, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Dreamfall Chapters and others.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure

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