Square Enix Seeks Life is Strange Feedback Following Poor Sales

Summary

Square Enix is reaching out to Life is Strange fans with a survey following the lukewarm reception of the latest installment, Life is Strange: Double Exposure.
The questionnaire probes into key elements of the game, even asking participants if they felt their purchase was justified.
Responses gathered from this survey may shape the direction of future titles in the Life is Strange series.

The underwhelming commercial performance of Life is Strange: Double Exposure has led publisher Square Enix to launch a survey, aiming to pinpoint the game's shortcomings. This direct feedback from the community could help future installments avoid the pitfalls encountered by this release.

Launched in October 2024, Life is Strange: Double Exposure brought back the beloved protagonist from the original 2015 game, Max Caulfield. However, her return failed to generate significant excitement for this episodic narrative adventure. The game received mixed reviews upon release, with its PS5 version holding a Metacritic score of 73 from critics and 4.2 from users. Many players and critics point to controversial narrative choices as a primary reason for the tepid response.

The situation worsened when developer Deck Nine Studios announced layoffs in December 2024. Eager to understand the game's missteps, Square Enix recently emailed a detailed 15-minute survey to fans. It covers various aspects of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, including its story, gameplay, and technical performance. The survey also directly asks if players considered the game worth buying and if the experience has dampened their enthusiasm for future series entries.

Square Enix Seeks Answers for Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Performance

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive reception for the game, making the survey's findings crucial for identifying where it fell short. In contrast, Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, was widely applauded for its emotional storytelling and depth. That game's protagonist, Alex Chen, resonated with players in a way that the cast of Double Exposure did not.

Regarding the franchise's future, Life is Strange: Double Exposure introduced potential story threads for future games. However, the feedback Square Enix is collecting could significantly influence the narrative direction of subsequent releases. While the degree to which fan service should guide development is debatable, it remains to be seen how much the next Life is Strange game will incorporate player preferences.