Summary
- Life is Strange: Double Exposure caused significant financial losses at Square Enix.
- Financial results indicate the sequel’s failure despite attempts to appeal to fans by bringing back Max Caulfield.
A recent report revealed that Life is Strange: Double Exposure incurred considerable losses for Square Enix after its launch in October 2024. Despite an attempt to recoup its expenses, the game did not meet financial expectations.
Upon release, the title received mixed reviews from both fans and critics, holding a Top Critic Average of 71 on OpenCritic, with only 54% of critics recommending it. Many complaints centered around the narrative, with fans expressing disappointment that it did not honor the ‘bae’ ending from the original title. This dissatisfaction appears to have impacted the game’s financial performance.
According to financial analyst Hideki Yasuda from Kabutan, Square Enix’s recent financial outcomes confirm that the game led to “large losses” for the company, despite being buoyed by the strong sales of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. The return of Max Caulfield, a beloved character from the original game, was not enough to generate significant excitement for this release, which is concerning for the franchise’s future.
The underwhelming performance of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, along with the layoffs at Deck Nine in December 2024, further highlight the game’s struggle in the market. Following the poor sales, Square Enix conducted a survey seeking fan feedback, indicating an interest in understanding potential improvements for future titles.
