Square Enix Requests Life is Strange Feedback Following Poor Sales

Summary

• Following the underwhelming reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix is conducting a survey to gather feedback from fans.
• The survey delves into key aspects of Double Exposure, even asking about its perceived value and purchase justification.
• Community feedback collected will likely influence the development of future Life is Strange games.

The less-than-stellar performance of Life is Strange: Double Exposure has prompted publisher Square Enix to launch a survey, seeking to understand the game's shortcomings. This feedback will be crucial in guiding the direction of future installments in the series.

Released in October 2024, Life is Strange: Double Exposure had high expectations, capitalizing on the return of fan-favorite protagonist Max Caulfield from the original 2015 title. Despite this, the game received a mixed reception. Its PS5 version currently holds a 73 critic score and a 4.2 user score on Metacritic, highlighting a disconnect between critical and player opinions. Many attribute this to significant story choices within the game.

Following December 2024 layoffs at developer Deck Nine Studios, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans. This survey covers various aspects of Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and ultimately, whether players felt the game was worth the purchase price and if their experience impacted their interest in future installments.

Square Enix Seeks Answers to Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underperformance

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive response to Life is Strange: Double Exposure, making the survey results highly significant in identifying the game's weaknesses. Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, was lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional depth, with protagonist Alex Chen resonating strongly with players—a contrast to the reception of Double Exposure's characters.

While Life is Strange: Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future entries, the community feedback gathered by Square Enix will significantly impact the development of upcoming games. The extent to which future games will incorporate fan feedback remains to be seen, presenting a balancing act between fan service and creative vision.