What were you engrossed in back in 2015?

If you were gaming, you likely experienced the likes of Metal Gear Solid V and Fallout 4, or perhaps participated in the competitive chaos of Splatoon on your trusty Wii U. That year marked a turning point in the gaming world with the release of Life Is Strange, a groundbreaking title from Square Enix that veered away from their traditional RPG offerings. Notably, this game introduced us to a unique narrative style and poignant storytelling through the eyes of Max Caulfield, a high school girl with the ability to manipulate time.

Fast forward nearly a decade, and we are on the verge of a highly anticipated continuation: Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. Developed by the talented team at Deck Nine, this sequel brings back Max, now a twenty-something photographer grappling with the complexities of adult life and the repercussions of her past choices.

A Nostalgic Return

Returning for this new chapter is Hannah Telle, the original voice of Max, who expresses excitement about reprising her role. Jonathan Stauder, the game director, emphasizes the significance of Telle's involvement: "We’re thrilled she was excited to return - luckily we didn’t even have to consider what we would have chosen to do without her."

Set against the backdrop of Max’s return to her hometown after a decade, we confront a haunting mystery when Max discovers the lifeless body of her friend Safi. This tragic event compels her to rely once again on the powers she tried to forsake, unveiling an additional ability to traverse alternate timelines—an intriguing gameplay feature for Double Exposure.

Canon Choices: What Does It All Mean?

With the original Life Is Strange giving players crucial choices leading to multiple endings, an essential question arises: which ending will be considered canon? Felice Kuan, the narrative director, clarifies, "Both endings of the original Life is Strange are canon." Players will have the option to select which version of events will guide Max’s journey, preserving the series' commitment to player choice and narrative freedom.

Engaging Gameplay

Our preview of the game transports us to a tense scene where Max must utilize her newly discovered abilities to navigate a precarious situation involving her friend Moses and a local police officer. This segment is a prime example of how the game reflects real-world issues, elevating the stakes of the narrative and immersing players in Max's dilemma.

Max’s ability to see light tears in the air allows her to manipulate the environment and unravel the tension seamlessly, providing players with moments of new discovery. Throughout the gameplay, the enhancements from motion capture technology significantly elevate character animations, enabling more natural expressions and movements—an exciting development for a series rooted in human emotional depth.

Switch It Up: A Coming Port

Our demo was showcased on high-performance hardware, but big news awaits Nintendo fans! A specialized port for the Nintendo Switch is on the horizon, crafted by Engine Software, known for their successful adaptations of titles such as Little Nightmares II and Ni no Kuni. Kuan assures that extensive efforts are being made to ensure the game maintains its high-quality feel despite the Switch's technical limitations.

"The team is working hard on replicating or replacing more intense processes to maintain performance," Kuan explains regarding the adjustments being made for the Switch version. While a specific release date for this port remains TBA, the excitement surrounding Life Is Strange: Double Exposure continues to build.

Mark your calendars: Life Is Strange: Double Exposure is set to launch on other platforms on October 29th, 2023!

Stay tuned and prepare to dive back into the emotional, choice-driven universe that has captivated fans for nearly a decade! Will Max’s journey resonate with your choices, or will her new abilities lead to unexpected outcomes?