Life is Strange: Double Exposure Takes Marvelization Too Far

Life is Strange: Double Exposure Takes Marvelization Too Far

As a seasoned gamer who has journeyed through the emotional rollercoaster that is Life is Strange, I must say, I was both thrilled and apprehensive about the return of Max Caulfield in Double Exposure. It’s a brave move to revisit a beloved franchise, but one that could easily go awry if not handled with care.


There are MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Life is Strange: Double Exposure deserves praise for reintroducing Max Caulfield, a character absent for almost a decade. Revisiting what some deem as a timeless Square Enix title and providing a sequel was certainly a daring move. Whether the decision resonated with everyone (given its controversial nature) or not, it represented a risk worth taking, one that could have resulted in significant success. While certain aspects, such as how Life is Strange: Double Exposure depicts Arcadia Bay and Chloe, may not align with fans’ expectations, true artistry often stems from calculated risks.

In the game of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, I found one area where it seemed to miss its mark. Instead of adding an element of surprise or uncertainty, it chose the most predictable storytelling path. By the end of the game, it felt more like a bonus scene from a Marvel movie rather than a satisfying conclusion to a narrative. The return of Max, a character who has never come back before in the series, feels like a blatant attempt at Marvel-style storytelling, which I’m not particularly fond of. I understand that Marvel movies were successful for good reasons and there are certainly valuable lessons about storytelling we can glean from them…when they’re applicable.

The Life is Strange Universe Doesn’t Need to Be The ‘LSU’

In every direction I look, it feels like I’m surrounded by “universes.” While Life is Strange has always been interconnected through its characters such as Max, Daniel, Alex, and now Safi, these stories rarely intertwined due to the narrative focus on how supernatural powers drive a wedge between individuals. This theme, which carries social commentary that varies from game to game, may be less prominent in the upcoming storyline. The ending hints at each character potentially returning for the next installment, and the thought of them not coming back is almost as unlikely. Max isn’t supposed to be like Captain America, but the plot seems to have left us with few other options since regular characters would lack the emotional depth needed to advance the storyline effectively.

  • Max’s powers literally traumatize her and kill either her closest relationship with another or an entire town.
  • Each of Sean and Daniel’s endings are bittersweet, but it’s possible they become estranged from everyone and become career criminals.
  • Alex Chen’s entire story is about navigating her isolation, her hurt, and inverts the theme a little bit, as she can overcome this isolation and bond with Haven – or leave this community behind as solo musician or with Ryan or Steph.

The upcoming Life is Strange game’s approach to incorporating all potential endings is likely to stir up debates. Some decisions may necessitate a clear favoring of one outcome, and fans might take offense even if that ending was considered the “best” for each Life is Strange character.

The LSU Civil War

Life is Strange: Double Exposure Takes Marvelization Too Far

As a gamer, I find myself pondering over Safi’s plan to assemble her “Avengers.” But after chatting with Max, it seems like a superpowered conflict might be inevitable – a sort of civil war, if you will. However, the problem lies in the fact that Marvel’s “Civil War” was a masterpiece precisely because it intertwined multiple stories, and even the first “Avengers” movie required post-credit scenes to set things up. That’s what made it work; everything was connected.

Max is, but shouldn’t be, Captain America.

In simpler terms, the finale of “Double Exposure” resembles a typical Marvel storyline more than the usual Life is Strange style. There’s a hint of Max returning again, a conflict between characters with superpowers, and even an after-credits scene – elements that are reminiscent of Marvel, not Life is Strange. However, I would be thrilled if this prediction turns out to be incorrect, as I found the twist in “Double Exposure” quite impressive. Despite the Marvel-like ending, there’s a chance that future Life is Strange games can retain their core themes while telling this story without losing their unique identity. But given the strong resemblance of the finale to Marvel stories, it seems reasonable to be cautiously optimistic about the next Life is Strange game maintaining its distinctive character.

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2024-11-28 18:34