Square Enix Seeks Life is Strange Feedback After Low Sales

Summary

• Square Enix is conducting a survey among Life is Strange fans following the lukewarm reception of Life is Strange: Double Exposure.
• The survey delves into key aspects of the game, including whether fans felt it was worth purchasing.
• Feedback from the community may shape the direction of future Life is Strange games.

Square Enix is taking proactive steps to understand the disappointing commercial performance of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, released in October 2024. The game, which continues the story of beloved protagonist Max Caulfield from the original 2015 Life is Strange, did not meet expectations. Despite the excitement surrounding Max's return, Life is Strange: Double Exposure received mixed reviews, with the PS5 version scoring a 73 from critics and a 4.2 from users on Metacritic. Many fans and critics pointed to the game's narrative choices as a significant factor in its underwhelming reception.

The situation worsened with the announcement of layoffs at Deck Nine Studios, the developers behind Life is Strange: Double Exposure, in December 2024. In response, Square Enix has initiated a comprehensive survey, reaching out to fans via email with a 15-minute questionnaire. This survey seeks detailed feedback on various elements of the game, including its narrative, gameplay mechanics, and technical performance. It also probes whether fans believed the game was worth the purchase and how their experience has influenced their interest in future installments of the series.

Square Enix Wants to Know Why Life is Strange: Double Exposure Flopped

Square Enix had high hopes for Life is Strange: Double Exposure, especially given the success of their previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, which was celebrated for its storytelling and emotional resonance. The protagonist of True Colors, Alex Chen, struck a chord with players in a way that the characters in Double Exposure did not.

Looking ahead, Life is Strange: Double Exposure did set up potential plot points that could be explored in future games. However, the insights gathered from the current survey could significantly influence the narrative direction of upcoming Life is Strange titles. While the debate on the extent of fan service in game development continues, it remains to be seen how much the next Life is Strange game will reflect the community's feedback.