The Life is Strange games were a fantastic series of coming-of-age titles brought to life by the team at DONTNOD Entertainment. It was one of those rare games that offered a unique perspective—putting players in the shoes of angsty teenage characters with supernatural powers.
When the first game was released in 2015, the right audience found solace in the lives of Max and Chloe, two long-time friends caught in a never-ending twist of fate. It was the game that put the series on the map, reaching players it never even intended to.
Now, Life is Strange is a shadow of what it once was. It has become a victim of corporate misdirection and an evolving fanbase that continues to reject its new direction. In this piece, let’s discuss the franchise’s slow decline into irrelevance—if it can’t find a way forward.
After Max & Chloe
Following the success of the first game, the company gained enough traction to partner with Deck Nine Games for a prequel to Max and Chloe’s story. The result was Before the Storm, a three-episode character study of everyone’s favorite blue-haired rebel. While it wasn’t the strongest entry in terms of storytelling, it provided validation for players who chose the “Bae over Bay” ending in the original game’s finale.
Though Before the Storm didn’t quite capture the magic of the first game, it cultivated a new fanbase devoted to Chloe and Rachel’s relationship.
After Before the Storm, Deck Nine stepped back, allowing DONTNOD to return for a fresh Life is Strange adventure. Life Is Strange 2 introduced new characters and took a deeply political approach, centering on two brothers searching for a new life after a tragic incident in their hometown. Michel Koch reimagined the supernatural elements of the series by giving the younger brother world-altering powers. It was a compelling twist that explored themes of responsibility and the struggles of marginalized communities.
Yet, much like Before the Storm, the five-episode sequel didn’t resonate as intended, however timely it was. While it was still a great game for both new and returning fans, many remained fixated on Max and Chloe, yearning for their return—to no avail.
Deck Nine Takes Over
Years later, the original team behind the first two Life Is Strange games moved on to pursue a new project: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. A game we wholeheartedly praised in our review.
With DONTNOD gone, the Life is Strange series was left in the hands of Deck Nine Games.
Under Deck Nine’s leadership, the franchise underwent a reorganization marred by internal drama. Eventually, they released Life Is Strange: True Colors, introducing an entirely new protagonist and setting. Fans appreciated Alex as a main character and praised the game’s atmosphere, but the story itself was met with lukewarm reception.
The Fall of Life Is Strange
Deck Nine attempted to reignite interest in the series by bringing back Max Caulfield in Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. Unfortunately, it failed.
Both fans and critics were disappointed by how lazily Deck Nine handled Max’s return. Her inclusion served little purpose beyond nostalgia bait, and her time-travel powers were severely nerfed.
To make matters worse, Double Exposure omitted the very essence of what made the original game so beloved—Chloe Price. Her absence left a sour taste in fans' mouths, with her only presence relegated to minor text message cameos.
Even more frustratingly, Double Exposure felt like a rehash of the first game’s story, once again placing Max at the center of a world-ending decision with minimal build-up. By the time the credits rolled, players were left baffled by the game’s final moments, which teased a possible Avengers-style crossover sequel. The sheer absurdity of the idea left the series floundering.
No one knows what Deck Nine plans to do next, but the damage Double Exposure inflicted on the Life is Strange community—and the series’ reputation—is undeniable.
Last week, Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu shared the company’s latest financial results, confirming that Double Exposure was a significant financial loss. While no specific numbers were disclosed, the writing was on the wall.
Now, the franchise is trapped in limbo. With losses mounting, a sequel exploring Max’s life post-Double Exposure seems unlikely, and even Deck Nine appears directionless.
It’s a tragic fate for a series once brimming with heartfelt characters and a powerful message about empathy, love, and friendship. At this point, it’s clear that Deck Nine lacks the heart and soul to keep Life is Strange alive. If this is how the franchise ends, perhaps that’s for the best—better than another mediocre attempt at reviving Max Caulfield.