Square Enix Seeks Feedback on Life is Strange After Low Sales

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

Square Enix is conducting a post-launch survey targeting Life is Strange fans after the latest installment, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially. The survey delves into key aspects of the game, even directly asking players about its perceived value. Feedback gathered will likely shape the direction of future Life is Strange titles.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure, released in October 2024, promised a return to the beloved Max Caulfield from the original 2015 game. Despite this, the game's reception was less than stellar, scoring a 73 on Metacritic (critic score) and a 4.2 (user score) for its PS5 version. This lukewarm response is largely attributed to controversial narrative choices.

Following December 2024 layoffs at developer Deck Nine Studios, Square Enix launched a 15-minute survey aimed at understanding the game's shortcomings. The questionnaire probes players' opinions on various elements, including narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and overall purchase satisfaction. It also gauges the impact of their experience on their anticipation for future installments.

Analyzing the Reasons Behind Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Underperformance

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more positive response to Life is Strange: Double Exposure, making the survey's results crucial for identifying the game's weaknesses. This contrasts sharply with the positive reception of 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 Double Exposure's characters.

While Life is Strange: Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future games, the current feedback collection process suggests a significant influence of community input on the series' future trajectory. The extent to which future games will incorporate fan feedback remains to be seen, sparking a discussion about the balance between fan service and creative vision. Only time will reveal how the next Life is Strange game will respond to player expectations.