Square Enix Requests Life is Strange Feedback Following Poor Sales

Square Enix Seeks Fan Input After Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underwhelming Reception

Following the less-than-stellar reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix is actively seeking feedback from fans through a comprehensive survey. The survey delves into key aspects of the game, even directly asking players if they felt the purchase was worthwhile. This feedback is expected to significantly shape the direction of future Life is Strange titles.

The October 2024 release of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, a continuation of Max Caulfield's story from the beloved 2015 original, initially held considerable promise. However, Max's return failed to ignite the same enthusiasm in this latest installment of the episodic narrative series. The game received mixed reviews, currently boasting a Metacritic score of 73 from critics and a user score of 4.2 on the PS5 version. Many critics cite significant story choices as a contributing factor to this underwhelming response.

The situation worsened with Deck Nine Studios, the game's developer, announcing layoffs in December 2024. In an effort to understand the game's shortcomings, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans. This survey probes various elements of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, and technical performance. Crucially, it also asks players about the game's value and whether their experience impacted their interest in future installments.

Analyzing the Reasons Behind Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underperformance

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive reception for Life is Strange: Double Exposure, making the survey's results vital in identifying the game's weaknesses. Deck Nine's previous work, Life is Strange: True Colors, earned widespread acclaim for its compelling narrative and emotional depth. Its protagonist, Alex Chen, also resonated strongly with players, a connection that Life is Strange: Double Exposure's characters failed to achieve.

The future of the Life is Strange franchise remains uncertain. While Life is Strange: Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future entries, the feedback gathered by Square Enix will likely play a major role in shaping upcoming games. The balance between fan service and creative vision will be a key consideration, and only time will reveal the extent to which future titles incorporate player feedback.