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 targeting Life is Strange fans after the latest installment, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, failed to meet expectations. The survey delves into various aspects of the game, even directly questioning 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, promised a return to the beloved Max Caulfield, protagonist of the original 2015 game. Despite this, the game received a mixed reception, scoring a 73 on Metacritic (critic score) and a 4.2 (user score) on its PS5 version. This lukewarm response, attributed to significant narrative choices, impacted its commercial performance.

Further complicating matters, developer Deck Nine Studios announced layoffs in December 2024. In an effort to understand the game's shortcomings, Square Enix distributed a 15-minute questionnaire to Life is Strange fans. This survey covers key areas, including narrative, gameplay, technical performance, and even asks whether players felt the purchase was worthwhile and if their experience impacts their interest in future installments.

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

The survey's results are crucial for Square Enix to identify the game's weaknesses. Deck Nine's previous work, Life is Strange: True Colors, was lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional resonance, a contrast to the less impactful characters in Double Exposure.

The future of the Life is Strange franchise remains uncertain. While Double Exposure hinted at potential storylines for future entries, Square Enix's community feedback will significantly influence the development of upcoming games. The extent to which future games will incorporate fan suggestions remains to be seen, prompting a discussion about the balance between fan service and creative vision.