November 17th 2024.
I have always been a huge fan of the Life Is Strange franchise. From the moment I played the first episode of the original game ten years ago, I was hooked. The cozy and light-hearted settings, along with the relatable social situations, provided a sense of comfort that I couldn't get enough of. However, as much as I love the series, I can't help but acknowledge its flaws. And unfortunately, the latest entry, Double Exposure, seems to exacerbate all of them.
Let's start with the dialogue. Can we all just admit that it's terrible? After playing through Double Exposure, I was reminded of just how cringeworthy some of the lines can be. Safi, one of the main characters, has a habit of spouting off temper-tampering quips that make me want to facepalm. I understand that the game is going for a comic book-like vibe, and the lighthearted remarks are meant to offset the darker subject matter. But let's be real, Life Is Strange is not Marvel. And Double Exposure tries way too hard to make you believe that it is.
But here's the thing, being quippy and quirky doesn't automatically make something funny. In fact, it often comes off as trying too hard. And that's exactly how the dialogue in Double Exposure feels. It's forced and unnatural, making it hard to invest in the characters and their stories.
Speaking of characters, let's talk about Max. I can't be the only one who finds her behavior in Double Exposure to be nosy and self-righteous. She constantly interferes in other people's business, and at one point, even humiliates another character in front of a crowd. It's frustrating to watch her make such poor decisions, especially when they could have been handled privately and sensibly. And let's not forget about the developers' obsession with filling the game with drawings, notes, letters, posters, and various other objects to read. While it's impressive that they put so much effort into creating a rich and detailed world, a lot of it feels bland and lacking in substance.
But the biggest issue I have with Double Exposure is that it simply isn't fun. Unlike its predecessor, True Colors, which was vibrant and impactful, Double Exposure puts you in the role of a gumshoe-like private investigator. You spend most of your time walking around, interacting with objects, and making decisions that ultimately lead to solving the mystery. And while there's nothing wrong with a relaxed storytelling experience, it's hard to ignore the fact that the gameplay feels stale and unoriginal.
Ultimately, I can't help but feel like Double Exposure highlights all of the weaknesses of the Life Is Strange franchise. If you were already tired of the quippy dialogue and over-the-top acting in previous games, then this one will only double down on what you don't like. And if you didn't enjoy the character interactions in games like Tell Me Why and Twin Mirror, then Double Exposure will feel like too much cringe. As a long-time fan of the series, it's disheartening to see that after ten years, Life Is Strange still hasn't evolved or improved.
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