Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure is a triumphant return for a matured Max Caulfield, a character-driven paranormal mystery that old fans and newcomers should embrace.

68%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

optimization, stability

68% User Score Based on 3,710 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 51 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $37.50

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About

"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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Life is Strange: Double Exposure screenshot

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,710 reviews

story856 positive mentions

optimization67 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and character animations, making it visually appealing.
Max's character development is well-executed, showcasing her growth and maturity since the first game.
The soundtrack is excellent, capturing the emotional depth and atmosphere of the game.

The story becomes confusing and lacks coherence in the later chapters, particularly episodes 4 and 5.
Choices made throughout the game feel inconsequential, leading to a lack of meaningful impact on the narrative.
The absence of Chloe and the handling of her relationship with Max left many fans feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.

story
3,335 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
68%
6%
The story of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment in its execution compared to the original game. While the first few chapters are praised for their engaging plot and character development, the narrative reportedly falters in the later episodes, becoming convoluted and leaving numerous plot threads unresolved. Critics highlight a lack of meaningful choices that impact the story, and some feel that the game relies too heavily on nostalgia without delivering a satisfying continuation of Max's journey. Overall, while the game has its moments, it struggles to maintain the emotional depth and coherence that fans expect from the series.
- “The storytelling was beautiful - some quotes from the game genuinely stuck with me, other side characters too.”
- “The new cast is also an interesting bunch; they each have their own motivations and perspectives on the story's events and Max's choices, which makes the game feel more dynamic and alive.”
- “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.”
- “We learn the things that should matter to the story by dialogue (someone saying something happened) while we should be playing that to see for ourselves.”
- “The main problem is the crippled, mind-numbingly stupid narrative along with characters that are supposed to look and act like people, but feel more like puppets put there for plot purposes.”
- “The story felt poorly written, dialogue was awkward, answers were out of character, scenes that were hyped up fell extremely flat.”
graphics
745 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, improved facial animations, and overall artistic design, particularly in cinematic settings. However, numerous players have reported significant optimization issues, including blurriness, lag, and graphical glitches, which detract from the experience. While some players appreciate the leap in graphical fidelity compared to previous titles, others feel that the focus on visuals has come at the expense of storytelling and gameplay quality.
- “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.”
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning, the story is very interesting and captivating, I didn't expect what happened.”
- “The graphics are fantastic, with each environment feeling lived-in and real.”
- “The default graphic setup makes the game blurry and it's not exactly easy to set it right.”
- “I have a good PC and I can run RDR2, Hogwarts Legacy, and lots of other games on ultra graphics with no issues, but this game gets super blurry and super choppy no matter how I adjust my settings.”
- “The graphics are a blurry mess, especially when playing in 4K.”
music
639 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The music in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and emotional depth, consistent with the series' tradition. While some players found the soundtrack to be beautiful and fitting, others felt it lacked the memorable impact of previous titles, describing it as more generic and less iconic. Overall, the soundtrack remains a highlight for many, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to earlier installments.
- “The music, as in all Life is Strange games, is absolutely fantastic and the surroundings/setting is so beautiful and detailed, I adore it.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing, as always, with the usual indie music complementing the whole ambient.”
- “The music is a faithful return to songs that stick with you, emotions that linger, long after you stop playing.”
- “The music in this one wasn't as utilized as they've previously done.”
- “The soundtrack is a big step down from the first game.”
- “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.”
gameplay
464 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
68%
7%
The gameplay in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the introduction of new mechanics, such as the dual-timeline feature, which adds a fresh twist to the experience. However, critics argue that the gameplay often feels tedious and underutilized, with limited exploration and repetitive tasks that detract from the overall engagement. While the visuals and emotional storytelling remain strong points, the gameplay mechanics are seen as lacking depth and failing to fully capitalize on their potential.
- “The gameplay is solid and meets expectations.”
- “The new gameplay mechanics are very interesting and fun to play around with.”
- “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 rather handholdy and the powers aren't fully explored, but I still think it's worth playing for any fans of the series.”
- “The gameplay feels rushed and not in tune with the original story either.”
- “The gameplay quickly gets boring because of the new max’s power (as it requires a lot of pointless running back and forth).”
emotional
341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it lacks the profound emotional depth and impactful storytelling of its predecessors. While some moments evoke nostalgia and connection to past characters, the new cast and plot developments often feel shallow, leading to a diminished emotional investment. Overall, while the game has its heartfelt moments, it struggles to reach the emotional highs that fans have come to expect from the series.
- “The devs hit the same feeling from the previous game; you can feel a connection to all the characters, and it has great emotional depth.”
- “This game packs emotional punches, and I was both yelling and guffawing at my screen - both positive things.”
- “Life is Strange: Double Exposure offers a hauntingly beautiful dive into the lives of its well-crafted characters, blending supernatural elements with emotional storytelling.”
- “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
267 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
54%
25%
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While the graphics and character performances received praise, the overall technical execution is deemed poor, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from the game's potential. Many reviewers recommend waiting for patches to address these optimization problems before purchasing.
- “It's also nice seeing Deck Nine improve the graphics and performance of the people and settings.”
- “The character voice acting is excellent and the animated performance and visuals are the strongest of the entire franchise by a country mile.”
- “What really sells Double Exposure’s writing and story is its absolutely incredible performances and character animations.”
- “The game is so poorly optimized that it heavily detracts from the actual beauty of the game.”
- “It's one of the worst optimized games I have ever played on PC and more time should have been spent on polish.”
- “The performance is even worse while using the core gameplay mechanic - phasing.”
stability
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches, including visual issues, audio inconsistencies, and frequent crashes. While some users experienced minor glitches that did not significantly impact gameplay, many found the overall performance to be poor, especially in later chapters, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the game is considered a "buggy mess," with calls for further patches and optimizations before it can be deemed stable.
- “The game itself so far looks great and, apart from minor issues, runs smoothly. It has an intriguing story, though some parts feel a bit too forced and out of the player's control, but it still 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.”
- “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.”
- “This game is nothing more than a mess of bugs, glitches, and game-breaking issues.”
atmosphere
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its emotional depth, nostalgic charm, and immersive qualities, reminiscent of the original "Life is Strange" series. Reviewers highlight the stunning visuals, well-crafted soundtracks, and strong character connections that enhance the overall experience, although some note that it doesn't fully reach the heights of its predecessors. Despite minor technical issues and pacing concerns, the game successfully captures a cozy yet complex atmosphere that resonates with fans of character-driven narratives.
- “The atmosphere is incredible.”
- “Something this series has always done brilliantly—and this game continues—is create a weirdly atmospheric pull that draws you into the story, the characters, and their lives.”
- “The music is still out of the park; it provides a rich atmosphere that sucks you into the world in a way other game series can only dream of.”
- “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.”
- “Completely lacks the atmosphere that made former Life is Strange games.”
monetization
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
1%
97%
The monetization of this game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over its reliance on nostalgia and the inclusion of costly DLCs that feel unnecessary. Players feel that the game lacks the depth and heart of its predecessors, instead prioritizing profit through overpriced editions and in-game advertisements. Overall, the sentiment is that the game exploits its fanbase for financial gain rather than delivering a meaningful experience.
- “But 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.”
- “This game is very obviously a blatant cash grab, and it's obvious from the very beginning.”
- “I deeply regret contributing money to this project and the absolute shameless commandeering of a beloved franchise for a cash grab.”
- “Don't waste your money, this is a quick cash grab game and an insult to the other Life is Strange games.”
humor
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it endearing and funny, particularly through character interactions and quirky dialogue. Max retains her awkward charm, delivering dad jokes and humorous observations that resonate well, while side characters like Safi and Moses add to the comedic moments. However, some critiques highlight that the humor can feel forced or overshadowed by a lack of emotional depth, leading to moments that are unintentionally funny rather than genuinely humorous.
- “Safi endeared me to her very quickly; she's really expressive and funny without seeming like she's trying too hard.”
- “Max feels just like her old, awkwardly funny self but more mature; the characters are intriguing, the story is compelling, and it's visually stunning.”
- “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.”
character development
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
57%
20%
Character development in this game has received significant criticism, with many reviewers noting it as underwhelming and lacking depth compared to previous installments. While some characters, like Max and Gwen, show moments of believable growth, the overall execution feels rushed and disconnected, leaving many characters flat and their arcs poorly developed. The narrative struggles to provide meaningful context for character relationships and choices, resulting in a disappointing experience for fans expecting the emotional depth characteristic of the series.
- “Max's character development is at least somewhat believable and understandable, as is the formation of new friendships.”
- “I really enjoyed playing as Max again; it was nice to see her character development.”
- “The twists in each chapter surprised me in a good way, and the ending was perfect for me or at least for Max's character development, to say the least.”
- “The character development is underwhelming; the death victim is unimportant, and the time-shift feature appears cheap and rushed.”
- “The story is so rushed, and there is no character development for Max. The characters are flat and easily replaceable.”
- “Despite its strengths, Double Exposure suffers from familiar pitfalls seen in previous Deck9 titles, including issues with character development, pacing, and the limited impact of player choices.”
grinding
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
30%
61%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort to progress. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of tasks, confusing achievement systems, and uninspired gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the new powers and concepts, they still feel that the execution leads to a slogging gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Gameplay is really tedious.”
- “I truly loved Life is Strange 1 and 2, and even enjoyed Before the Storm and True Colors, but Double Exposure receives the worst indictment I can give of any game: I found it tedious and boring, and couldn't make it through chapter 3.”
- “It often feels 'grindy,' as though some sections exist just to pad the playtime with unnecessary tasks.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
50%
31%
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability, with some players appreciating the abundance of optional content and different outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others criticize the game for its predictable story and lack of significant differences in choices. Overall, while some find replay value in exploring various options, many agree that it falls short compared to earlier titles in the series, leading to a general consensus of low replayability.
- “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.”
- “The game's story is very predictable, has so many loose ends, no replay value, and has countless optimization issues.”
- “There's no replay value, unlike the previous titles.”
- “Replayable: 2/10, since there is no real difference between choices and... yeah it really didn't hook me like the best and first game.”