The game is really that good

review

With Double Exposure, the first Life is Strange game finally gets a direct sequel, which again requires tough decisions. No matter which path you take, the game offers many emotional moments.

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In 2015, “Life is Strange” caused a sensation when it was released: the combination of a coming-of-age story and a suspense story aroused people's emotional resonance. This drama of love, friendship and crime can't let us go, forcing us to make decisions that send us down a muddy path and resonate with us for a long time.

Depending on the choices, the journey surrounding teenager Max Caulfield takes an extremely dramatic turn that left us in tears. There have been more adventures in the Life is Strange universe over the years, but it's been a long time since we've gotten a direct sequel. Until today. Because Max is finally back, leaving us wondering and complaining once again.

By the way, if you've never played the first part, you don't have to roll your eyes, because “Double Exposure” plays itself brilliantly as well. Max's troubled past is told unobtrusively and sometimes nonchalantly. Anyone who played the previous game will gain additional layers of narrative and access to loving narration and reminiscences.

In a direct sequel to Life is Strange, Max builds a new life for himself.Image: zvg

New circle of friends, old questions

In the sequel, Max Caulfield is no longer a teenager, but a young woman teaching at Caledon University. The scenes from the first movie are long in the past and our protagonists have left it all behind and moved on. While she was once able to manipulate time and actively influence the past with magical abilities, these powers are now lost and forgotten. Most of the characters from that time are no longer part of her life. As a result, Max builds a new circle of friends and enjoys life as a successful and valuable photographer.

Max has put the past behind him as much as possible and made new friends.Image: zvg

However, when loved ones around her are murdered, she is haunted by her past and magical abilities suddenly become part of her daily life again. Because from now on, she can enter a parallel world where the victims are still alive. Max now sets out alone to find the killer and faces events that affect all of reality.

swinging between realities

Who is the murderer? This question is a major source of motivation, causing Max to swing back and forth between realities. Have numerous conversations, read messages on your phone, search the room for certain objects, and make decisions that affect the relationships between characters and the further progression of the game. The constant switching between timelines can cause confusion and headaches, especially in the first few hours of the game. Luckily, the game always holds your hand, gives you hints, and makes it very clear what your next goal is and what the tasks ahead are so you can keep going.

Max must go to the crime scene to find new clues to keep the game going.Image: zvg

You'll soon realize that the game mechanics couldn't be simpler, and they don't offer any big surprises. This principle of starting from people is repeated again and again. There are melancholy cutscenes in between, again with a great soundtrack providing a lot of emotion. Before we move on to another important conversation, we take a leisurely look around and, if we so choose, take in the complexity of the world and the characters who live in it.

With her supernatural abilities, our protagonist can travel into parallel worlds to gain important information.Image: zvg

a good point

“Double Exposure” doesn't reinvent the “Life is Strange” formula at all, but delivers exactly what we've actually come to expect from the series: characters that grow on you, plenty of dramatic moments, and the obligatory speculation surrounding the crime story Divided into five chapters. As is typical of the series, there are some unique cliffhangers in the game that compel you to keep playing and allow us to delve deeper into the mystery.

At certain moments, difficult decisions must be made that affect the development of the story.Image: zvg

Finally, a valid point is made that clarifies what will happen next in the Life is Strange series. This will leave some feeling happy and satisfied, or leave them with mixed feelings because the adventure ends so abruptly and we are faced with metaphysical facts that raise many, many questions.

timeless charm

in conclusion: In this Life is Strange adventure, I once again had to make a decision that led to internal conflict. Was my decision the right one, shouldn't I have gone another way? These questions will grate on your nerves and become your constant companions. But this reflection and pause is one of the reasons I always enjoy diving into this universe. Even though events were a little rushed towards the end and there was a lot of ambiguity in the room, I really enjoyed seeing Max again and hearing again a wonderful score that was very in-depth at certain moments.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is available for Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Approved for ages 12 and up.

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