Life is Strange: Double Exposure Review – Max Caulfield Returns in a Compelling Murder Mystery

As a seasoned gamer with over 20 years under my belt, I must say that Life is Strange: Double Exposure has truly outdone itself. Having played through the original Life is Strange and its subsequent spin-offs, I can confidently say that this installment takes the cake (or should I say pie?) in terms of narrative depth and gameplay mechanics.

In the final scenes of Life is Strange, Max Caulfield found herself facing an apocalyptic tempest. However, in Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Max seems to have established a tranquil and content life away from her hazardous hometown Arcadia Bay, working as a resident photographer at Caledon University. She’s enjoying life with friends and indulging in artistic photography. Everything appears serene. But, as luck would have it, trouble brews when her close friend Safi meets an untimely end, leaving Max on a quest to uncover the killer and the motive behind this heinous act. The narrative that unfolds is an engrossing mystery with a surprising twist involving time travel.

In the past, Max had the ability to rewind time and correct any missteps. However, her extraordinary powers have undergone a transformation in this story – she can now emit a ‘pulse’ to explore different realities, and effortlessly move between these realities, making it possible for her to solve mysteries and find the truth. To minimize confusion, the universe where Safi has been killed is clearly marked as ‘deceased’, while the reality where she continues to live is identified as ‘alive’. This color-coding and signage system helps guide the reader through the narrative.

In this alternate dimension, objects seen in the world of life are depicted in orange, whereas spectral beings and items spotted in the realm of the dead are sketched in blue. However, there can be moments of confusion (even Max occasionally gets her words and actions mixed up between dimensions), especially as you travel between these realms. The dead world is characterized by saturated colors, dim light, and a surprising absence of holiday spirit, even during the festive season; whereas the living world is filled with vibrant light, an abundance of decorations like twinkling lights, tinsel, baubles, and everything else that embodies the joyous holiday mood.

Max’s phone meticulously records all details, including character profiles that get updated following significant story developments, text messages and social media exchanges, along with other pertinent information. Across its five chapters, Double Exposure keeps you guessing about what will happen next, while Deck Nine skillfully saves some clever surprises for later. The characters in this game are captivating, with a diverse cast of professors and students who attend Caledon, each grappling with their own unique troubles that vary between timelines – some are still reeling from Safi’s demise, while others exhibit an unusually cheerful demeanor. Some secrets appear to have been buried with her.

Just like any intriguing puzzle, you’ll encounter key characters who may seem suspicious at first, but as more facts emerge, your suspicions might shift. For example, why is Gwen acting shady? What’s the deal with arrogant teacher Lucas? Is Vinh, Safi’s mother’s assistant, keeping secrets? Who is Maya Okada? What’s the background of Caledon’s Abraxas Society? And what are those cryptic owl sightings hinting at? (A nod to Twin Peaks perhaps?) Max won’t hesitate in her relentless pursuit – she’ll delve into every nook and cranny, whether it’s subtly grabbing keys from a different timeline to access a cupboard or briefcase, or digging through files and emails that were not intended for her eyes.

In the game Life is Strange: Double Exposure, most puzzles are primarily solved by moving between dimensions, carrying items from one timeline to another through subtly shimmering, hazy ‘doorways’. Max uses her powers to travel through these doorways. This game skillfully employs its time-travel concept, and the plot contains unexpected twists and moments that make you exclaim “What in the world?!” As character motivations unfold and campus politics become increasingly complex and vicious, you find yourself in the middle of it all, trying to make sense of everything as well as possible.

In Life is Strange, like other games in the series, your decisions matter greatly and you know when significant choices are presented to you because they affect the course of the story. However, even small conversations or seemingly insignificant actions can have far-reaching effects, with the impact sometimes not becoming clear until much later on. Add to this the time-altering antics of Double Exposure, and you get a captivating journey that makes for an engaging sequel for Max Caulfield. Solving the mystery behind Safi’s untimely demise and the surrounding drama is immensely entertaining, although the story does lose some momentum as it approaches its conclusion.

The fantastic character expressions and artistic touch add a dramatic appeal to Double Exposure, creating an engrossing story that becomes difficult to leave once you’re engrossed in its murder mystery and following Max’s relentless quest for truth. Each chapter concludes with a twist, providing a great spot to pause, and there are numerous hidden secrets and optional objectives scattered throughout if you wish to explore them. Following Life is Strange: True Colors, Deck Nine demonstrates further refinement in storytelling, and with Double Exposure, the studio has proven itself an ideal caretaker for Don’t Nod’s supernatural series.

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2024-10-28 19:12