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.

71%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

optimization, stability

68% User Score Based on 7,072 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 7,123 reviews

story1.6k positive mentions

optimization129 negative mentions

The game features fleshed-out characters that feel like real-life people, enhancing the emotional connection.
Beautiful graphics and an amazing soundtrack contribute to an immersive experience.
The story is engaging, especially for fans of the original game, and offers a nostalgic return to Max's character.

The last two chapters feel rushed and lack the depth and coherence of the earlier chapters, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion.
Many plot points are left unresolved, and the choices made throughout the game feel inconsequential.
The absence of Chloe Price is disappointing for many fans, and her character's treatment feels disrespectful to the original story.

story
6,311 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
68%
6%
The story of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its emotional depth and character development in the early chapters, particularly the return of Max Caulfield. However, the narrative falters significantly in the later episodes, where it becomes convoluted and rushed, leaving numerous plot holes and unresolved storylines. Critics argue that the choices made throughout the game lack meaningful impact, undermining the series' hallmark of player agency, and the overall story feels disconnected from the original game's emotional weight.
- “Beautiful game with an amazing soundtrack and rich story.”
- “Ive always been a fan of Life is Strange and this game is beautiful and the story is captivating!”
- “The story is where Double Exposure really shines.”
- “The storyline feels gimmicky, with the writing and plot failing to impress.”
- “The story is so full of plot holes, open ends, and dropped story lines ... it gives the impression that the writers had no more time and the game had to be finished no matter what.”
- “The choices feel important and seem to affect the story, but ultimately they have very little impact on how the story plays out.”
graphics
1,433 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The graphics of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and detailed character animations, showcasing a significant upgrade from previous titles in the series. However, many players have reported performance issues, including graphical glitches and optimization problems that hinder the overall experience, particularly on lower-end systems. While the art style has evolved to a more realistic approach, some fans miss the unique aesthetic of earlier games, leading to mixed feelings about the visual direction.
- “Visually, Life is Strange: Double Exposure continues the series' signature art style, with beautifully rendered environments that draw you into the game's world.”
- “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 amazing, the story is great, and don't even get me started on the beautiful soundtrack.”
- “If you have the graphics set to anything other than minimum, the game will get stuck on an infinite loading screen (even though the game will have loaded behind it), and your only option is to alt+f4, reset graphics to minimum, because it always sets graphics to max, for some reason.”
- “The graphics are terrible quality, the game lags immensely, and there is a common problem with infinite loading screens.”
- “The graphics gets blurry as hell 90% of the time but fortunately I'm playing for the story...which gets really interesting and then not...would not recommend.”
music
1,222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The music in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric quality and emotional resonance, consistent with the series' tradition. While some players found the soundtrack to be a standout feature, others felt it lacked the memorability and impact of previous installments, describing it as decent but not as compelling. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the game's aesthetic and emotional depth, though some noted issues with audio mixing and a less diverse selection compared to earlier titles.
- “This game is aesthetically beautiful; the soundtrack is to die for.”
- “The soundtrack (as always) is perfect, I love the atmosphere and music of a Life is Strange game and this is no different.”
- “The music flows seamlessly with the storyline, capturing the melancholic, reflective, and tense moments.”
- “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.”
- “The music isn't as good and very forgettable.”
gameplay
895 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
68%
7%
The gameplay in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the new timeline-switching mechanic but feeling it lacks depth and exploration compared to the original game's rewind feature. While the visuals and music are praised, the gameplay is often described as repetitive and overly linear, with limited player agency and underutilized mechanics. Overall, the game is seen as a visually appealing narrative experience, but it struggles to deliver engaging gameplay that matches the emotional weight of its story.
- “Its visuals and music are top-notch, and the time-manipulation mechanic offers a fresh twist.”
- “I very much enjoyed the different timelines mechanic with the way that even the color grading of the different timelines were different color palettes.”
- “The gameplay feels solid and familiar, and if you enjoyed the unique storytelling and emotional depth of the first game, this one will hit you right in the feels.”
- “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 choices felt like they had no actual effects on the outcome of the game; the choices also lacked depth and overall this ended up feeling like a very 'talking simulator, do less' gameplay.”
- “The gameplay feels rushed and not in tune with the original story either.”
emotional
657 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the game contains some heartfelt moments and nostalgia, it generally lacks the emotional depth and impactful storytelling that characterized earlier entries in the series. Critics highlight a disconnect with new characters and a failure to evoke strong emotional responses, particularly in key narrative moments, leading to a less engaging experience overall. Despite its beautiful visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, the game struggles to deliver the same emotional weight that fans have come to expect, leaving some players feeling disappointed.
- “This game is an enjoyable, atmospheric experience with a story that will resonate with those who love character-driven, emotional narratives.”
- “Life is strange: double exposure is a truly lovely, emotional, and beautiful game.”
- “It’s packed with the kind of emotional depth that I’ve come to love from this series.”
- “Life is Strange 2 had plenty to love, but was ultimately a deeply boring story, boring characters, a boring power, and very poorly written all around.”
- “I managed to get through a couple of chapters of the boring story but spent most of my playtime trying to figure out how to get the game to run smoothly without looking terrible.”
- “This game is not even comparable to the previous games in the Life is Strange series; it has a boring storyline and performance issues.”
optimization
518 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
53%
25%
The optimization of the game has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and bugs that detract from the overall experience. While some users noted that the game looks visually stunning and features excellent voice acting, the lack of proper optimization—especially for mid-range PCs—has led to frustration, with many recommending waiting for patches before purchasing. Overall, the game's performance is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing its narrative and artistic strengths.
- “The animation, face-tracking, and performances are absolutely stellar.”
- “The character voice acting is excellent and the animated performance and visuals are the strongest of the entire franchise by a country mile.”
- “The performances are great, the story is great until the final chunk of the game, it builds so much on the series and universe and has some cool implications.”
- “The game is so poorly optimized that it heavily detracts from the actual beauty of the game.”
- “The performance, for a start, is pretty abysmal.”
- “This is one of the most poorly optimized PC games I’ve encountered.”
stability
243 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 graphical issues, audio problems, and performance drops. Many reviewers noted that the game feels poorly optimized and rushed, leading to frequent crashes and unplayable moments. While some players experienced minimal issues, the overall consensus is that the game is currently too buggy for a full-priced release, suggesting potential buyers wait for further patches and updates.
- “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.”
- “That being said, the storyline is a hot mess express and I should not have the weird graphics glitches and hangups that are present in a $50 title from a major developer and distributor.”
- “The entire game is buggy as hell and by the last couple of chapters, everything feels rushed at best, lazy and disappointing at worst.”
- “It's a buggy mess, give the rights back to Dontnod.”
atmosphere
221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
43%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a beautifully crafted soundtrack that complements the emotional depth of the narrative. Many reviewers highlight the cozy, nostalgic vibe reminiscent of previous titles in the series, although some note that it doesn't fully reach the heights of earlier installments. Overall, the combination of engaging visuals, strong world-building, and character-driven storytelling creates a compelling and atmospheric experience, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and the impact of player choices.
- “This game is an enjoyable, atmospheric experience with a story that will resonate with those who love character-driven, emotional narratives.”
- “The music team has created a beautifully atmospheric score that perfectly complements the game’s tone and setting, enhancing the emotional depth of key scenes.”
- “The atmosphere is fantastic, the characters are engaging, and the facial expressions are incredibly well-done.”
- “Although you can still feel the atmosphere of the first game, this one doesn't reach its full potential.”
- “The atmosphere is too sterile and the dialogue is often poorly timed.”
- “Completely lacks the atmosphere that made former Life is Strange games.”
monetization
187 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the high prices for standard and deluxe editions, as well as the reliance on nostalgia to sell additional content. Players feel that the game lacks depth and meaningful content, often describing it as rushed and soulless, with some achievements locked behind paid DLC. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over quality, leaving fans feeling exploited and dissatisfied.
- “But the monetization is worth the dislike.”
- “To start, the upgraded editions of this game feel like a blatant cash grab.”
- “Playing this game made me depressed because they reduced the Life is Strange IP to nothing more than a Marvel-style cash grab.”
- “This game is simply a poorly disguised cash grab from developers who seem to have missed the heart of the franchise entirely.”
humor
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the return of Max's quirky and awkward charm, as well as the funny interactions among side characters like Safi and Moses. While some moments are genuinely hilarious, others fall flat or feel forced, leading to a perception that the humor often detracts from the emotional weight of the story. Overall, the game features a blend of charming dialogue and comedic situations, though it struggles to maintain a consistent tone throughout.
- “Even Max is accused of white privilege by her friend, which is actually hilarious.”
- “Safi is such a funny character and I'm curious about her future story.”
- “Max is totally herself—funny, quirky, and exactly how we remember her.”
character development
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
53%
22%
Character development in the game has received significant criticism, with many reviewers noting it as a major weakness compared to previous installments in the series. While some characters, like Gwen and Moses, show promise, the overall execution feels rushed and lacks depth, leaving many characters flat and unmemorable. The narrative struggles to provide meaningful growth for key figures, particularly Max and Chloe, leading to a disconnection that undermines player investment in their journeys.
- “Character development regarding our favorite snoopy nerd is very well made and there is obvious care and love for the character.”
- “Yeah, we don't have the characters from the other parts, but it's been 10 years for Max! She's moved on and that's great to see the character development here.”
- “I really enjoyed playing as Max again, it was nice to see her character development.”
- “This was a good entry to the series, but it does fall flat regarding character development and the impact of previous game decisions.”
- “The story is so rushed and there is no character development towards Max. The characters are flat and easily replaceable.”
- “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
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
33%
63%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many sections feeling repetitive and unnecessary. The mechanics, including the new power and puzzle systems, are criticized for being cumbersome and lacking the engaging qualities of previous titles. While some appreciate the story and dialogue, the gameplay is frequently described as a slog, detracting from the overall 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.”
- “Chapter 4 and 5 feel tedious and pointless compared to the rest of the plot.”
- “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.”
- “Surprisingly good story, but still suffers from tedious gameplay mechanics that can make this game feel like a slog at times.”
replayability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
53%
31%
Overall, the game's replayability is widely criticized, with many players noting a lack of meaningful choices and a predictable story that diminishes the incentive to replay. While some users mention optional content and achievement hunting as factors that could enhance replay value, the consensus leans towards low replayability compared to earlier titles in the series. Many feel that the game does not offer enough differences in outcomes to warrant multiple playthroughs.
- “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.”
- “7) Length and replayability – while the average gameplay is around 10-12 hours, I spent about 17.5 hours on my first playthrough, thanks to my tendency to explore every nook and cranny.”
- “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.”