Life is Strange Double Exposure launches soon, stirring excitement among fans eager to reconnect with Max and explore her journey post-Arcadia Bay. The initial episodes reveal a strained relationship with Chloe, prompting mixed reactions from the community. Creator Michel Koch defends Deck Nine’s creative choices, acknowledging the emotional impact of past events on the characters’ dynamics. He notes the inevitable differences in storytelling with new authors, while the full game releases on October 29 for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
In just one week, “Life is Strange: Double Exposure” will be available for all players. The most dedicated fans of the franchise have already purchased access to the first two episodes of this latest installment. Anticipation has been immense, especially as it marks a decade since the events in Arcadia Bay, allowing fans to reconnect with Max and learn about her life since the heart-wrenching conclusion of their choices—particularly her connection with Chloe. The noticeable absence of Chloe’s character from Square Enix’s communications has left players eager for answers, and as it turns out, the story is not what many had hoped for.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST TWO EPISODES OF “LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE”
One of the Creators Defends “Life is Strange 4”
Deck Nine faced a challenging task with this installment. The American studio aimed to honor both endings of the original “Life is Strange,” which was created by Don’t Nod, but the community feels that their choices didn’t quite resonate. The first two episodes of the new title reveal that, while Chloe is alive, her relationship with Max has not endured. The emotional impact of the Arcadia Bay sacrifice remains, but where Max yearns to revisit the past, Chloe seeks to move forward. This perspective was, according to Deck Nine, the best way to explain Max’s solo journey in “Double Exposure.”
This narrative choice has not resonated well with the community, who have expressed their discontent, often in harsh terms, on social media. Michel Koch, the lead writer of the first “Life is Strange” and a key figure in shaping Max and Chloe, has publicly defended Deck Nine’s decisions.
“Inevitable”
Koch acknowledges that while the direction taken may not align with Don’t Nod’s original vision, the trauma stemming from Chloe’s survival would realistically impact their relationship. This is underscored by their reserved expressions in promotional images from “Life is Strange 2,” which reappear in “Double Exposure.” He remarks, “But they stuck together; they were all they had.”
While Koch admits he might have approached their narrative differently, he stresses that this sentiment has been present since Square Enix took full control of the franchise. “I felt the same way about the comics and ‘Before the Storm,’ and I accepted it. If I played the full game, I’m sure I wouldn’t recognize my characters, but that’s unavoidable with different authors,” he concludes. “Life is Strange: Double Exposure” will be fully released on October 29 for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
Source: Michel Koch via X