Life is Strange has always been known for its deep character development and compelling stories. The series’ latest entry, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, continues this tradition, offering another emotionally charged narrative. In a 60-minute PAX West demo, I was immediately captivated by the high stakes and tension surrounding Max Caufield’s latest adventure.
Double Exposure serves as a direct sequel to the original Life is Strange, where Max, now a college-aged photography student at Caledon University, takes center stage. What starts as a typical college experience takes a dark turn when Max discovers her close friend, Safi, dead in the snow. While this premise alone is intriguing, Max’s new ‘Shift’ power, puzzle-solving elements, and branching narratives with difficult choices solidify Double Exposure as a deeply engaging and emotional interactive story.
Double Exposure cleverly avoids solidifying any of the original Life is Strange endings as canon, but maintains the impactful moment where Max vows to never use her Rewind power again. When she attempts to use her powers to solve Safi’s murder, she discovers they have evolved into a new ‘Shift’ power, granting her the ability to travel between parallel universes, one where Safi is still alive.
The demo begins with Moses, a mutual friend of Max and Safi, being questioned by detectives after taking Safi’s camera from the crime scene. Determined to save him from suspicion, Max uses her Shift power to retrieve the camera. This is where I first encountered her new ability. In Double Exposure, specks of light highlight potential rifts in time, allowing Max to jump between timelines. I had the opportunity to question the other Moses about potential hiding places for the camera before shifting back to his office and rummaging through his supplies. During my playthrough, I also used this power to evade the detectives who eventually entered Moses’ office, adding a thrilling element of cat and mouse to the situation. This interplay further deepened my understanding of Max’s relationships with her friends and provided a more comprehensive look at their personalities.
Like previous Life is Strange titles, Double Exposure embraces branching narratives. At the end of the demo, Max faced a crucial decision regarding what to tell the detective investigating Safi’s case. The screen shifted to a monochrome filter with heart-pounding music as I weighed my options. After making my choice, the scene returned to color with an ominous message emphasizing the impact of my decision on the narrative.
Double Exposure appears to be a thrilling sequel that seamlessly transitions Max into adulthood, feeling perfectly in line with the Life is Strange series as a coming-of-age story infused with supernatural elements. The game hints at a deeply moving narrative, and while I didn’t get to see Safi this time around, I suspect she will play a significant role in the unfolding drama. Life is Strange: Double Exposure is set to be released for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on October 29th.
