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 to gauge player sentiment regarding Life is Strange: Double Exposure, following its less-than-stellar reception. The survey delves into various aspects of the game, even directly asking players about its perceived value. Feedback gathered will likely inform the development of future installments in the Life is Strange franchise.

The game's disappointing commercial performance prompted Square Enix's initiative. The hope is that analyzing player feedback will help prevent similar issues in future Life is Strange titles. Despite the return of the popular protagonist Max Caulfield from the original 2015 game, Double Exposure, released in October 2024, received mixed reviews. Its Metacritic score reflects this, with a 73 critic score and a significantly lower 4.2 user score on the PS5 version. Many critics point to key narrative choices as contributing factors to the lukewarm reception.

Further compounding the situation, developer Deck Nine Studios announced layoffs in December 2024. In an effort to learn from these setbacks, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans. The survey covers crucial elements of Double Exposure, including narrative, gameplay, and technical performance. It also directly asks players if they felt the game was worth the purchase price and if their experience impacted their interest in future games.

Understanding the Reasons Behind Double Exposure's Underperformance

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

The future of the Life is Strange series remains uncertain. While Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future installments, Square Enix's community feedback will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the direction of future games. The extent to which future titles will incorporate fan feedback remains to be seen, presenting a complex balance between fan service and creative vision.