I’m Still Not Sure How I Feel About Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

Sitting down to observe the Xbox Video games Showcase, I felt a well-recognized thrill of anticipation. As a long-time fan of the Life Is Unusual sequence, I used to be wanting to see what new adventures awaited. Then, the trailer for Life Is Unusual: Double Publicity started to play. My pleasure was palpable as the long-lasting face of Max Caulfield appeared on-screen. However because the trailer unfolded, a mixture of pleasure and uncertainty washed over me.

Max is now in school, which brings a nostalgic smile to my face since I performed the unique sport again in grad college. The school ambiance feels good. Nonetheless, my pleasure rapidly turns to apprehension when it is revealed that she’s confronted with a homicide thriller involving one among her buddies. Right here we go once more with the identical premise, harking back to each the unique sport and Life Is Unusual: True Colours.

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A Unusual Return

The builders who initially created Max are now not concerned; Do not Nod Leisure made the unique sport in 2015, and Deck 9 developed the 2017 prequel Earlier than the Storm for Sq. Enix, adopted by Do not Nod’s launch of The Superior Adventures of Captain Spirit in 2018 and episodes for Life Is Unusual 2. Deck 9 totally took the reins for the sequence with Life Is Unusual: True Colours, which personally is my favourite sport within the sequence thus far.

After Life Is Unusual 2, Do not Nod left the sequence. They cited, to Eurogamer, the necessity for extra inventive management and possession of their work as their purpose for shifting on. Through the advertising and marketing marketing campaign for Life Is Unusual 2, Do not Nod declared they’d zero curiosity in persevering with Max and Chloe’s story. They seen the sport as full, with Max’s future left to the participant’s creativeness. Their philosophy was that tales ought to have a clearly outlined finish and never be revisited. Returning to Max’s story, subsequently, looks like a bizarre determination.

Colour Me Conflicted

As a fan of True Colours, Alex’s journey resonated deeply with me, regardless of revisiting the acquainted trope of a feminine protagonist with particular powers fixing a homicide thriller. Nonetheless, the choice to focus the subsequent sport on Max looks like a missed alternative to innovate the sequence’ narrative. By centering on Max once more, the sport dangers falling right into a predictable sample: a narrative that includes a feminine protagonist grappling with the homicide of somebody near her, intertwined with sci-fi components that add an intriguing twist. Whereas the mix of those components can create an indie vibe, it additionally introduces a way of déjà vu.

I think about Max’s new journey unfolding very similar to her unique story: a charming soundtrack setting the temper for my future autumn scooter rides to work. Max will in all probability develop relationships with each female and male characters, doubtlessly exploring romance alongside the way in which. Whereas sudden plot twists are positive to come up, the general narrative may mirror features of Max’s and Alex’s journeys. This stirs conflicting emotions inside me. On one hand, there’s consolation in revisiting a beloved, acquainted story. Then again, the prospect of much less novelty leaves me craving for one thing extra exhilarating.

Life Is Unusual 2, for my part, stands because the strongest sequel to the unique. It boldly overturned expectations by centering on the narrative of two Latino brothers through the politically charged period of President Trump’s election. The sport fearlessly delved into themes of immigration and human rights, demonstrating the sequence’ willingness to confront difficult points head-on. It showcased the franchise’s capability to evolve and deal with modern considerations with depth and perception.

Life Is Unusual 2 was deeply unsettling and intense. It prompted profound discussions with my buddies, notably in regards to the portrayal of racism in 2016 America, which resonated deeply with me as a Black particular person. This installment distinguished itself by refusing to be merely a ‘consolation meals’ sport. Nonetheless, this was beneath the event of Do not Nod.

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Max-imum Overload

Again after I first performed the unique Life Is Unusual in my grad college dorm, it actually stood out to me. It was one of many few story-driven action-adventure video games I might skilled at the moment, and seeing Sq. Enix embody queer illustration was actually cool. The sport left a long-lasting impression on me. I am all for nostalgia, although with all of the remakes and remasters of all the pieces from the 80s and 90s nowadays, this feels slightly too on the nostril. Life Is Unusual has at all times switched up its protagonists with every sport, so this feels prefer it’s making an attempt to money in on my grad college recollections. It is a bit odd to see Max, initially crafted by Do not Nod, now being reinterpreted by Deck 9.

We additionally know from an IGN article by Rebekah Valentine that the connection between Deck 9 and Sq. Enix is not superb. There seems to be a conflicting relationship between Sq. Enix and Deck 9, which raises questions on their selections. Interviews with the voice behind Max and the sport administrators counsel explanations much like themes seen in Max’s and Alex’s tales. The administrators focus on new components like Max’s evolving time powers and a fancy dual-timeline homicide thriller, which add intrigue but in addition immediate questions in regards to the sequence’ path and its departure from its unique creator’s imaginative and prescient. Reviewing the interview, I am left questioning in regards to the motivations behind these narrative decisions and the way they match with the established lore and character growth of earlier video games.

Unusual Instances Forward

I am intrigued by Double Publicity’s premise, and regardless of my reservations, I intend to play it upon launch. Nonetheless, seeing Max within the current 18-minute gameplay footage evoked a bittersweet feeling. Her interactions with buddies felt harking back to the primary sport’s endearing but cringe-worthy dialogue, albeit now with a extra mature school vibe that I oddly get pleasure from. The setup introduces each a feminine and male good friend, mirroring the potential romance choices akin to Alex’s story. Strolling by campus with an introspective indie soundtrack enjoying introduced again nostalgic recollections, very similar to Alex’s contemplative moments close to the water.

But, what caught me off guard was the abrupt shift from the soothing music to Max experiencing a sudden headache and darkness enveloping her. Moments later, she hears a gunshot and finds herself in a wintry scene, discovering her good friend’s lifeless physique with the haunting echo of the indie tune within the background. Whereas this sequence feels acquainted, it additionally stirs anticipation for what’s to come back.

I am unsure about Double Publicity’s path; it may both lean in the direction of comforting familiarity or shock with one thing refreshingly completely different, akin to Life Is Unusual 2. However, as a fan, I am nonetheless wanting to see the way it all unfolds.

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