As a longtime fan who’s followed Max and Chloe’s journey since the original Life is Strange, I can confidently say that Deck Nine has outdone themselves with Life is Strange: Double Exposure. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Max in action, but this new game reminds us just how much the world of Arcadia Bay has changed.
Narrative adventure games are sometimes given a bad rap as “playable movies,” but Life is Strange helped change that conversation significantly back in 2015. The story of Max and Chloe resonated with fans the world over and the game truly emphasized player choice, setting the bar for many games in the genre, including its sequels. Fans haven’t played Max since the original game’s iconic entry, but now she’s back. Life is Strange: Double Exposure tells a new story with Max that might take away the nostalgia goggles in the best way possible and remind players just how many things have changed since Arcadia Bay’s heyday.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD
Game Rant recently delved into the first two chapters of “Life is Strange: Double Exposure” on Steam. It seems that any apprehension within the community about Max’s comeback can be put to rest, as the game offers profound messages and decisions that will undoubtedly leave players awestruck and taken aback. Even long-time fans of “Life is Strange,” who approach “Double Exposure” with an open mind and a love for Max, should find themselves in for a delightful experience.
For those who’ve remained in the loop with the game’s updates, they’ll find the beginning a mix of sweetness and bitterness. The game starts by displaying Max’s bond with a fresh character named Safi, skillfully created by Deck Nine to be appealing in ways that complement yet differ from Chloe Price. Safi is a compelling introduction to the relatable and authentic characters that Max encounters. These interactions are made more impactful due to the series’ advancements over time, particularly its improved facial expressions and natural dialogue, which are striking when compared to the original game’s capabilities.
In comparison to the initial game, the writing seems significantly better. I didn’t come across any lines of dialogue that took me out of the experience, and the characters remained engaging and endearing with their distinctive wit, particularly Max, whose adorably geeky internal monologues were at their best.
Max, being a university instructor now, exudes a fresh sense of assurance as she maneuvers through her surroundings to the best of her ability. Yet, she remains the same Max deep down, and it’s clear that Hannah Telle reprising her role as Max is a significant reason for this consistency. Underneath the newfound confidence, though, lies her characteristic awkwardness. This becomes evident to players when the main storyline fully develops, with Max’s character taking on a substantial role in the narrative. Her awkwardness and relatable fear become particularly prominent when her newly discovered powers are activated.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure Keeps Players Grounded in Reality Even When Things Get Weird
Despite Max witnessing another dear friend’s demise in Life is Strange: Double Exposure, there remains an ample dose of humor to maintain authenticity and realism as the narrative unfolds with themes such as superpowers, timelines, and a murder mystery. Occasionally, these comical instances offer minor decisions that may appear insignificant at first but can have subtle effects later on, like grabbing a stuffed toy to comfort Max during certain choices ahead.
In keeping with anticipation, gamers encounter numerous small decisions to tackle across the episodes of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, and the crucial ones cause a pause as the display adopts various colors reflecting each choice. The game serves as a reminder that every decision carries weight, symbolized by a butterfly. Making these choices won’t always be straightforward, particularly when it comes to the initial significant choice: whether Max chose to save Arcadia Bay or Chloe instead.
In a way that might not sit comfortably with long-term players due to the limited options of “Chloe passed away” or “Chloe and Max split up,” given their past experiences together. However, there’s authenticity behind their separation (should the breakup route be chosen) that is genuine, raw, and aligns truthfully with their characters and the traumas they endured. For those worried about Max’s upcoming journey being as cautious about LGBTQ+ themes as the initial game was a decade ago, they will find it reassuring. Without revealing any spoilers, it serves as a shining testament to how far representation has progressed since the first game.
In this game as Max, I find myself surrounded by characters who truly feel alive, hailing from various backgrounds, which perfectly complements the exploration and detective work that the series is renowned for. As a die-hard fan of the franchise, it’s a delight to spot callbacks to previous games, but what really sets this game apart is its depth beyond nostalgia. The relationships Max builds with these new characters, the tough choices I have to make, and even the seemingly insignificant details like text messages, all contribute significantly to the rich tapestry of Caledon University’s world.
Experiencing Max’s Strange Life Once More With Feeling
In Double Exposure, players won’t be able to undo past decisions, but they will have the advantage of exploring two timeframes instead of just one. This means twice as many secrets to uncover, more intricate puzzles to solve, and an abundance of rewards for those who take the time to interact with everything within both realities. The original Life is Strange experimented with significant choices influencing the broader environment rather than merely creating interactive offshoots, and this concept carries over into Double Exposure. Players will need to decide whether Max should tend or destroy her plants once more, while also staying alert for choices that can only be accessed by interacting with specific items in one or both timelines.
In my own words: The storytelling and gameplay of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, as a narrative adventure, are engaging and immersive overall. However, when we played Chapters 1 and 2, there was a noticeable delay in response when using the Shift and Pulse abilities, which was somewhat disruptive. Yet, these problems didn’t ruin the gameplay experience entirely; instead, they were minor hiccups along the way.
These issues may be ironed out by the time
Double Exposure
releases, but players should still be aware that not everything runs smoothly when jumping timelines.
In essence, it remains uncertain whether the fresh title can stand on its own, given that remnants of the original title are abundant, particularly in Max’s messages and social media streams, where Chloe and Victoria Chase appear frequently. Nonetheless, the influence of Life is Strange 1 within this game isn’t unwanted, and it makes all its enhancements even more conspicuous. To sum up, anyone following the murder mystery in Life is Strange: Double Exposure should brace themselves, as the plot becomes increasingly dense and credible with each new lead players uncover.
Game Rant was provided a Steam code for the purposes of this preview.
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2024-10-14 18:04