I’m Still Not Sure How I Feel About Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

Highlights

Nostalgia mixes with uncertainty as Max returns to tackle a murder mystery in a college setting.
Deck Nine takes over Max’s story from original creators Don’t Nod, sparking conflicting feelings among fans.
The return of Max in “Double Exposure” poses a risk of falling into a predictable pattern, yet still evokes anticipation.

Sitting down to watch the Xbox Games Showcase, I felt a familiar thrill of anticipation. As a long-time fan of the Life Is Strange series, I was eager to see what new adventures awaited. Then, the trailer for Life Is Strange: Double Exposure began to play. My excitement was palpable as the iconic face of Max Caulfield appeared on-screen. But as the trailer unfolded, a mix of excitement and uncertainty washed over me.

Max is now in college, which brings a nostalgic smile to my face since I played the original game back in grad school. The college atmosphere feels nice. However, my excitement quickly turns to apprehension when it’s revealed that she’s faced with a murder mystery involving one of her friends. Here we go again with the same premise, reminiscent of both the original game and Life Is Strange: True Colors.

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A Strange Return

The developers who originally created Max are no longer involved; Don’t Nod Entertainment made the original game in 2015, and Deck Nine developed the 2017 prequel Before the Storm for Square Enix, followed by Don’t Nod’s release of The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit in 2018 and episodes for Life Is Strange 2. Deck Nine fully took the reins for the series with Life Is Strange: True Colors, which personally is my favorite game in the series so far.

After Life Is Strange 2, Don’t Nod left the series. They cited, to Eurogamer, the need for more creative control and ownership of their work as their reason for moving on. During the marketing campaign for Life Is Strange 2, Don’t Nod declared they had zero interest in continuing Max and Chloe’s story. They viewed the game as complete, with Max’s future left to the player’s imagination. Their philosophy was that stories should have a clearly defined end and not be revisited. Returning to Max’s story, therefore, feels like a weird decision.

Color Me Conflicted

Alex sits near the river in Life Is Strange True Colors

As a fan of True Colors, Alex’s journey resonated deeply with me, despite revisiting the familiar trope of a female protagonist with special powers solving a murder mystery. However, the decision to focus the next game on Max feels like a missed opportunity to innovate the series’ narrative. By centering on Max again, the game risks falling into a predictable pattern: a story featuring a female protagonist grappling with the murder of someone close to her, intertwined with sci-fi elements that add an intriguing twist. While the blend of these elements can create an indie vibe, it also introduces a sense of déjà vu.

I imagine Max’s new adventure unfolding much like her original story: a captivating soundtrack setting the mood for my future autumn scooter rides to work. Max will probably develop relationships with both male and female characters, potentially exploring romance along the way. While unexpected plot twists are sure to arise, the overall narrative might mirror aspects of Max’s and Alex’s journeys. This stirs conflicting feelings within me. On one hand, there’s comfort in revisiting a beloved, familiar story. On the other hand, the prospect of less novelty leaves me yearning for something more exhilarating.

Life Is Strange 2, in my view, stands as the strongest sequel to the original. It boldly overturned expectations by centering on the narrative of two Latino brothers during the politically charged era of President Trump’s election. The game fearlessly delved into themes of immigration and human rights, demonstrating the series’ willingness to confront challenging issues head-on. It showcased the franchise’s capacity to evolve and tackle contemporary concerns with depth and insight.

Life Is Strange 2 was deeply unsettling and intense. It prompted profound discussions with my friends, particularly concerning the portrayal of racism in 2016 America, which resonated deeply with me as a Black person. This installment distinguished itself by refusing to be merely a ‘comfort food’ game. However, this was under the development of Don’t Nod.

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Max-imum Overload

Max hangs with friends in Life Is Strange Double Exposure

Back when I first played the original Life Is Strange in my grad school dorm, it really stood out to me. It was one of the few story-driven action-adventure games I’d experienced at that time, and seeing Square Enix include queer representation was really cool. The game left a lasting impression on me. I’m all for nostalgia, though with all the remakes and remasters of everything from the 80s and 90s these days, this feels a little too on the nose. Life Is Strange has always switched up its protagonists with each game, so this feels like it’s trying to cash in on my grad school memories. It’s a bit odd to see Max, originally crafted by Don’t Nod, now being reinterpreted by Deck Nine.

We also know from an IGN article by Rebekah Valentine that the relationship between Deck Nine and Square Enix isn’t amazing. There appears to be a conflicting relationship between Square Enix and Deck Nine, which raises questions about their decisions. Interviews with the voice behind Max and the game directors suggest explanations similar to themes seen in Max’s and Alex’s stories. The directors discuss new elements like Max’s evolving time powers and a complex dual-timeline murder mystery, which add intrigue but also prompt questions about the series’ direction and its departure from its original creator’s vision. Reviewing the interview, I’m left wondering about the motivations behind these narrative choices and how they fit with the established lore and character development of earlier games.

Strange Times Ahead

Max talks about the sky in Life Is Strange Double Exposure

I’m intrigued by Double Exposure’s premise, and despite my reservations, I intend to play it upon release. However, seeing Max in the recent 18-minute gameplay footage evoked a bittersweet feeling. Her interactions with friends felt reminiscent of the first game’s endearing yet cringe-worthy dialogue, albeit now with a more mature college vibe that I oddly enjoy. The setup introduces both a female and male friend, mirroring the potential romance options akin to Alex’s story. Walking through campus with an introspective indie soundtrack playing brought back nostalgic memories, much like Alex’s contemplative moments near the water.

Yet, what caught me off guard was the abrupt shift from the soothing music to Max experiencing a sudden headache and darkness enveloping her. Moments later, she hears a gunshot and finds herself in a wintry scene, discovering her friend’s lifeless body with the haunting echo of the indie song in the background. While this sequence feels familiar, it also stirs anticipation for what’s to come.

I’m uncertain about Double Exposure’s direction; it could either lean towards comforting familiarity or surprise with something refreshingly different, akin to Life Is Strange 2. But, as a fan, I’m still eager to see how it all unfolds.