Atmosphere over Creativity - A Review of Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure has been developed by Deck Nine and published by Square Enix on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S in autumn 2024. This episodic fantasy drama game is the fourth installment of the Life Is Strange video game series that has been existing for nine years as I'm writing this review. This new game easily outclasses its two immediate predecessors but doesn't match the original Life Is Strange released nine years ago.

The element fans have been most excited about is the return of the protagonist of the first game: Maxine Caulfield. In this game, she has moved to Lakeport, Vermont where she is working as a photographer-in-residence at Caledon University. She has left her family, her hometown and most memories of her past behind to start a new life. However, her life takes yet again a sinister turn when she finds her friend and the university president's daughter Safi Llewellyn-Fayyad shot to death on an observation deck. Maxine Caulfield will travel between a reality in which her new friend is dead and another one in which she is still alive to figure out what happened and how she can possibly save Safi Llewellyn-Fayyad.

This is the first game I have ever been playing on Playstation 5 and I have overall been enjoying Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. First and foremost, I have certainly appreciated the game's characters from brave, calm and intelligent Maxine Caulfield over arrogant, influential and secretive administrative assistant Vinh Lang to dishonest, narcissistic and popular head of the literature department Lucas Colmenero. Secondly, I have dug the video game's mysterious atmosphere thanks to numerous scenes taking place at night and the entire game set during a snowy winter. Thirdly, the video game's story has been intriguing enough to inspire me to finish this game in about one week and a half despite numerous other commitments. The game's length of about seventeen hours in my personal case represents exactly what I have been looking for. The challenge level is decent but not frustratingly difficult as it makes the entire game coherent and fluid from start to finish. Another noteworthy highlight has once again been the laid-back indie pop soundtrack that blends in splendidly, even for someone like me who usually prefers gothic rock and heavy metal.

However, this game hasn't been without a few flaws. The characters, plot lines and settings are a little bit too similar to the original Life Is Strange video game in my opinion. This is more than just a nod as this new game at times struggles to stand on its own two legs. Those elements also make the new game somewhat predictable and might not inspire fans to play this release multiple times. Since I value atmosphere over creativity, those downsides however don't ruin the game for me. While many other reviewers have expressed their different degrees of disappointment, my overall evaluation of Life Is Strange: Double Exposure remains very positive and I'm glad to have remained faithful to this video game series and would play another installment in a heartbeat.

To keep it short and simple, I would strongly recommend Life Is Strange: Double Exposure to fans of fantasy dramas who like to take their time exploring the game's atmosphere, characters and settings while those constantly comparing this game to the first installment in the series or those expecting a most creative reinvention of the franchise might both feel quite disappointed. As for potential new fans, I would obviously suggest discovering this franchise in chronological order but you can also play Life Is Strange: Double Exposure without any prior knowledge as the few noteworthy elements are briefly described in this new game to provide some valuable background information without spoiling the original game in my humble opinion.

Detailed rating:

Atmosphere: 8 / 10
Challenge level: 6 / 10
Controls: 8 / 10
Game flow: 7 / 10
Graphics: 8 / 10
Length: 9 / 10
Long-term fun factor: 8 / 10
Sound: 8 / 10
Soundtrack: 8 / 10
Story: 7 / 10 

Total score: 77 / 100