Beautiful visuals and animations that raise the bar for the series

Despite the weak narrative, the first thing that stood out was the beauty of the game. While the series has always maintained a distinct animation style and has often been limited in realism, Double Exposure perfectly elevates the style of the original by ditching the cartoonish nature of previous entries in favor of a more realistic combination. The landscapes in particular are truly a feat for the eyes.

The attention to detail in the game’s nature, setting, and character design elevates Life is Strange: Double Exposure and raises the graphical bar for the series.

Dexerto/Deck Nine

The main location, Caledon University, is also beautifully realized. Deck Nine set a new standard for graphics, whether it’s the subtle glow of the sun filtering through drifts of snow or the menacing winds threatening to sweep Max off his feet.

Clever gameplay that deserves further elaboration

Dexerto/Deck Nine

Instead of rewinding time, Max can now switch between two different timelines where Safi is dead and she is still alive.

Despite starting the game with no powers, Max quickly learns in Episode 1 that he can “switch” between these two timelines and use his secondary “pulse” ability to detect timeline cracks in the area.

The implementation of this mechanic, a core gameplay feature, is one of the game’s best parts, but also its downfall. I had a hard time keeping track of each timeline, and although Max’s diary and phone served as a way to quickly keep myself informed, I was relying too much on them.

However, the concept of switching between two parallel timelines felt very comfortable in the Life is Strange game, combining this reality with a slight supernatural sheen.

Another missing feature was the ability to take photos using Max’s camera. Naturally, the mechanics are definitely fun and there are great photo opportunities in each Chapter. But I would have liked to see Max’s photography skills take on a more prominent role in actual gameplay, rather than being more of a cosmetic mechanic.

After all, photography is Max’s primary passion, so it made sense to see it included in the game rather than simple cosmetics.

Max Caulfield’s return was a risk that may not have fully paid off

Dexerto/Deck Nine

As someone who has played all of the Life is Strange games, I was excited when it was announced that Max Caulfield would be returning. After all, the series was created through his eyes; so returning to the character in a brand new setting was an interesting possibility.

But Life is Strange: Double Exposure fails to justify his return and even rehashes key moments from the first episode. Instead of embracing the ending of Life is Strange, Double Exposure does almost everything to distract Max from his original journey.

Max Caulfield is introduced as a brand new character; her signature bangs have been ripped out to provide a look much more suitable for a young professional. Double Exposure made me feel like the game could have been so much more successful without him, even though he was a little more confident and still his goofy self.

The key way Double Exposure untangles the texture of the first Life is Strange is through the glaring omissions of Chloe Price. The climax of the first game is whether Max will save Chloe and destroy Arcadia Bay, or choose to save the town’s residents at the risk of losing his best friend and love.

Dexerto/Deck Nine

While both endings are difficult to translate into Double Exposure, Deck Nine’s solution of turning Chloe into a series of diary entries and sending her to her absent ex-girlfriend was a major oversight by the team. After all, the relationship between Chloe and Max is the most beloved in the series.

That being said, his return does indeed seem well-deserved as Double Exposure returns to the events of the original and explores Max’s past and previous battles. Unfortunately, this felt secondary rather than being the focus of her development and involvement.

It would have been much better without Double Exposure Max. His story and direction introduce a new hero, and his return taints the legacy of the first game in ways that are impossible to redeem.

Dexerto Review Score: 2/5 – Below Average