Square Enix Seeks Insights after Life is Strange's Sales Slip

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

Square Enix is conducting a post-release survey targeting Life is Strange fans, following the less-than-stellar reception of the latest installment, Life is Strange: Double Exposure. The survey delves into key aspects of the game, even directly asking players about its perceived value. The feedback gathered will likely 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 mixed reviews, currently holding a 73 critic score and a 4.2 user score on Metacritic. This underwhelming performance, attributed to significant narrative choices, led to disappointing sales figures. Further compounding the situation, developer Deck Nine Studios announced layoffs in December 2024.

In an effort to understand the game's shortcomings, Square Enix recently distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans. This survey probes various elements of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, including its narrative, gameplay, and technical aspects. Crucially, it also asks players whether they felt the game was worth the purchase price and how their experience impacts their anticipation for future installments.

Analyzing the Fallout of Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underperformance

The survey's results are highly significant for Square Enix, as the reception to Life is Strange: Double Exposure fell considerably short of expectations. This contrasts sharply with the positive critical acclaim received by Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, which was lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional resonance. Alex Chen, the protagonist of True Colors, also resonated more strongly with players than the characters in Double Exposure.

While Life is Strange: Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future games, the community feedback collected by Square Enix will significantly influence the development of upcoming titles. The extent to which future games will incorporate fan feedback remains to be seen, presenting a balance between fan service and creative vision. Only time will reveal how the next Life is Strange game will respond to player expectations.