Embark on an all-new supernatural adventure with fan-favorite Max Caulfield returning to the protagonist role in Life is Strange: Double Exposure.
Life Is Strange is a series that catapulted into the annals of gaming history due to its timeless soundtrack, riveting narrative, and compelling characters. In the process, its titular protagonist, Max Caulfield, won over the hearts of players worldwide. Nine years later, she returns to a saga that has grown in all the right ways, just as much as she has in what feels like a successful homecoming.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure’s dark overtones graduate the formula into a mature, supernatural thriller that does not forget its roots. The story kicks off with Max briefly settling down after traveling all over the United States as an artist-in-residence at Caledon University, teaching classes to students and honing her craft as a celebrated photographer.
After an idyllic introduction to the cozy setting, a character close to Maxine is murdered, throwing her world upside down again. No longer using her rewind powers, she is haunted by the past of either ending chosen from the first game. But this new life-threatening event grants her a new ability, one to explore two different timelines, one in which the character is still alive and the other in which they are not.
Alternating between realities, the challenges Max is presented with in her search for the truth with this recently developed superpower make up most of the gameplay puzzles. This is a clear nod to the double exposure technique, in which two pictures are layered into one.
She must investigate clues in both worlds about how everyone behaves to get to the bottom of this mystery. Caledon University has deep secrets buried within, each character showing a coy side whenever they are grilled by Max.
Unique attributes to each timeline, like the background beats, decorations, or people hanging out, will let you get your bearings to identify which one you are in. A Pulse ability in which you can “echo” what the people are doing in the other timeline lets you snoop in on them undetected.
This lends itself to a clever approach to puzzles and urges you to think outside of the box. The usual third-person perspective to inspect your surroundings, observe items, and reminisce is as easily accessible as ever.
The famed “This action will have consequences” gameplay mechanic will keep you thinking about what to do next and exactly what type of repercussions will occur. The small-town Americana vibe with modern topics blends perfectly.
And it goes to the point where Max’s agency could make you doubt what type of choice she would make in the end according to your ideals. The two main branching paths lead to a replayable experience, with subtle changes in dialogues going a long way.
A game’s design needs to be intuitive without being too hamfisted. Life is Strange: Double Exposure elegantly strikes a balance between these two, never making the player feel lost as to where to go next or what to do.
Most clues are where you logically think they would be sans a few surprises along Max’s murder investigation. Called Nancy Drew at some point by the bartender teasing her, she stands like a more seasoned detective akin to Miss Marple.
Life Is Strange has always been a story about the disenfranchised and left out finding their place in the world, and Life is Strange: Double Exposure is no different. It is truthful to see Max as an adult and developing in front of our eyes.
Max’s infectious earnestness to adapt and fit into her new life is joyful to witness. At the same time, her curious demeanor can get the best of her. That is where your decisions can affect the outcome of her conversations positively or negatively.
Trauma can severely affect a human brain to the point of making them distort memories, act erratically, or dissociate, so to see Max thrive against all odds is truly encouraging. This is not to say she has it easy this time by any means.
The two choices she made in the past are just as important as her current predicament. Both decisions are handled well in heart-to-heart conversations that explore her complex emotions of survivor’s guilt.
The world is alive enough to the point where there are several conversations and developing stories that Max can eavesdrop on to learn all about. Little details like these reward eager players wanting to immerse in this world with interesting tidbits from the university and its people. Although the hip dialogue might be hit or miss for some, it certainly is in line with a universe that originated with angsty teenagers saying, “Ready for the mosh pit, shaka brah?”
Certain aspects return from Life Is Strange: True Colors, such as the Crosstalk app that works as Facebook in the LiS universe, and the fascinating traits of each person can be learned through their profiles. The amount of written information for the lore-hungry will satisfy even the most voracious ones.
One of the best features of making a comeback is that Max can just chill out and enjoy the magical original music that no Life Is Strange seems to miss. If anything, it could be the evocative, dreamlike, and soulful soundtrack of them all.
As a piece of media sitting alongside the great mystery hits like Twin Peaks, The Butterfly Effect, and The Twilight Zone that came before it, Life is Strange: Double Exposure holds its own. Each major plot point leaves you guessing as to where the story will go next.
Every thread’s groundwork can make you jump to conclusions only to be completely swept off the ground by the revelations at the last moment. For the entirety of its 15-hour rollercoaster ride, it delivers many gut punches.
There are a staggering number of accessibility options. Because this game deals with difficult subject matters such as death, suicide, and transphobia, it is possible to toggle content warnings before these graphical depictions appear on-screen.
Lenient choice times, confirming big decisions, and adjusting how frequently Max can give hints from more to none at all, let’s tailor the game to a player’s experience accordingly.
Although the overall story delivers in spades, there are moments where the pressure to create conflict feels artificial. Some minor secondary dialogues are left to be desired, but any loose threads are resolved in favor of telling a cohesive narrative. The fact that you cannot mix and match your outfits, makeup, and clothes for a more personalized experience is another gripe some players may find.
This being a spoiler-free review, any mention of the fiery blue-haired girl, Chloe, will not be touched upon. By the ending, the way it is handled makes sense in the context of the story to see things go the way they did. To say something definitive on the matter, it gives Max Caulfield closure with the events she had previously lived and faced things on her own.
An old university setting fits perfectly a return to Max Caulfield’s new adventure, as the dark academia aesthetic goes hand in hand with the theme this time around. The idealized version of the pursuit of the arts contrasting with a real sense of intrigue portrays a terrifying picture when they clash here. How far will someone go to protect those they hold dear without knowing how much collateral damage they are causing in the process?
Sometimes, real life can go by in a blink, and it feels comforting to see a sequel with a beloved protagonist in a long-running series reappear and acknowledge they have been struggling, growing, and living authentically in their fictional worlds.
And that is exactly what developer Deck Nine accomplished with Life is Strange: Double Exposure. Max’s ability to connect emotionally so deeply makes it impossible for an empath to play this game and not crack up.
Reconciling with the past while reaching those same highs, Life is Strange: Double Exposure achieves telling an irresistible page-turner of a mystery that does not let up. Structuring a big reveal at the end of each chapter is not an easy task, yet it is done here masterfully.
This thrilling whodunit is wrapped in thoughtful conversations, silly puns, and one of the best gaming soundtracks in recent years, making it a delight to play from beginning to end.
