Square Enix Seeks Life is Strange Feedback After Low Sales

In the wake of the underwhelming commercial performance of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Square Enix has taken a proactive approach by launching a detailed survey to understand what went awry. Released in October 2024, this latest installment promised to continue the beloved story of Max Caulfield from the original 2015 Life is Strange. Despite high expectations, the game received lukewarm reviews, with the PS5 version scoring a 73 from critics and a 4.2 from users on Metacritic. Many fans and critics alike pointed to the narrative choices as a significant factor in its reception.

The situation escalated when Deck Nine Studios, the developers behind Life is Strange: Double Exposure, announced layoffs in December 2024. In response, Square Enix has reached out to the Life is Strange community with a comprehensive 15-minute questionnaire. This survey delves into various aspects of the game, including its narrative, gameplay mechanics, and technical performance. Crucially, it asks fans whether they felt Life is Strange: Double Exposure was worth purchasing and if their experience has influenced their interest in future entries in the series.

Square Enix Wants to Know Why Life is Strange: Double Exposure Flopped

Square Enix clearly anticipated a more enthusiastic response to Life is Strange: Double Exposure, and the insights gathered from the survey will be instrumental in pinpointing where the game fell short. In contrast, Deck Nine's previous title, Life is Strange: True Colors, received widespread acclaim for its storytelling and the emotional connection players felt with protagonist Alex Chen—a connection that was notably absent with the characters in Double Exposure.

Looking ahead, Life is Strange: Double Exposure did set the stage for potential future storylines. However, the feedback collected by Square Enix could significantly shape the direction of upcoming Life is Strange games. While the balance between fan service and creative integrity remains a topic of debate, the impact of community input on the next installment will be a key factor to watch.