Square Enix Requests Life is Strange Feedback Following Poor Sales

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

Square Enix is conducting a post-launch survey targeting Life is Strange fans after the latest installment, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, failed to meet expectations. The survey delves into key aspects of the game, even directly asking players if they felt the purchase was worthwhile. Feedback gathered could significantly shape the direction of future Life is Strange titles.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure, released in October 2024, featured the return of fan-favorite protagonist Max Caulfield from the original 2015 game. Despite this, the game received a mixed reception, scoring a 73 on Metacritic (critic score) and a 4.2 (user score) for its PS5 version. This lukewarm response is largely attributed to controversial narrative choices within the game.

The situation worsened with Deck Nine Studios, the 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 explores various facets of Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, and technical performance, and directly asks players about purchase satisfaction and its impact on their interest in future installments.

Analyzing the Reasons Behind Double Exposure's Underperformance

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive response to Life is Strange: Double Exposure. The survey results will be crucial in identifying the game's weaknesses. This contrasts sharply with the overwhelmingly positive reception of Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, which was lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional depth. Alex Chen, the protagonist of True Colors, also resonated more strongly with players than Double Exposure's characters.

The future of the Life is Strange franchise remains uncertain. While Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future games, Square Enix's community feedback will likely play a significant role in shaping the narrative direction. The balance between fan service and creative vision will be a key consideration as the series moves forward.