With Life is Strange: Double Exposure on the horizon, now is the perfect time to reflect on the unwritten rules that define the series. Since the first episode's release in 2015, the Life is Strange franchise has become a staple of the choice-driven adventure genre. Each installment introduces a unique story while maintaining the depth and moral complexity that have become hallmarks of the series, with the most recent being 2021's Life is Strange: True Colors.
The franchise currently boasts six installments, which means a general set of rules for the franchise may not be able to be extremely specific. After all, only two games focus on either Max Caulfield or Chloe Price, though this number will rise with the release of Life is Strange: Double Exposure on October 29. Regardless, players should keep a few guidelines in mind as they venture into the emotionally charged world of Life is Strange.
Minor spoilers for the Life is Strange series ahead.
How Life is Strange: Double Exposure's Max Dodges the 'Other Darrin' Treatment
Life is Strange: Double Exposure features the return of Max Caulfield, and with her arrival comes a great deal of anticipation for her upcoming story.
How To Get the Most Out of Life Is Strange
The Play Order of Life is Strange Matters
While playing the Life is Strange games in release order ensures the story unfolds as originally intended, the line-up can be shifted for an optimal narrative experience. Therefore, the suggested play order is as follows:
- Life is Strange – 2015
- Life is Strange: Before the Storm – 2017
- Life is Strange: Before the Storm Farewell DLC – 2019
- Life is Strange 2: Episode 1 – 2018
- The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit – 2018
- Life is Strange 2: Episodes 2-5 – 2018-2019
- Life is Strange: True Colors – 2021
- Life is Strange: Double Exposure – 2024
- Life is Strange: Double Exposure Wavelengths DLC – 2024
- Life is Strange: Remastered Collection (includes Life is Strange and Before the Storm remastered) – 2022
Although Before the Storm is set prior to the events of Life is Strange, players may find it more immersive to experience Arcadia Bay and its vibrant characters by starting with Max's story in the original Life is Strange. After playing the first two games and subsequent DLC, the later installments are mostly standalone, though they often include ties to Arcadia Bay and its characters. For Life is Strange 2, it is recommended to complete the opening episode, followed by The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, which features a few familiar faces, before continuing with the rest of Life is Strange 2. Similarly, players could opt to play Double Exposure's DLC before delving into the base game.
Read the Notebooks
Each main character in Life is Strange has their own version of a journal. While reading through them isn't necessary for completing the game, they are beneficial for providing valuable insights into the protagonist's thoughts and motivations. For instance, Max writes in her diary that her parents have been telling her on a loop that she has "all the time in the world," which could be an indirect way of referencing Max Caulfield's supernatural powers.
Max's diary in Life is Strange contains 73 pages in total.
Additionally, on the previous page, Max mentions that she borrowed a copy of The October Country by Ray Bradbury. If players do a little research, they'll find that the book is a collection of macabre short stories that explore the horrors and inner demons within humanity. These themes are closely mirrored by those found in the game.
Explore As Much As Possible
As a general guideline, players should explore every nook and cranny while talking to as many people as possible. Interacting with objects and the surrounding environment can offer valuable context that aids in later decisions. In some areas, scenes may even change, so it's beneficial to revisit locations to check for any updates. Though there are hundreds of details that can be easily missed, some can even foreshadow upcoming events, such as the altered graffiti on Chloe Price and Rachel Amber's hideout in Episode 2.
For characters without Temporal Rewind like Max, engaging with their environment becomes essential for finding the "right" answers when needed. To illustrate, since Chloe doesn't have supernatural powers, her forte comes from her ability to toy with others via dialogue. Notably, certain options in Chloe's Backtalk challenges can only be unlocked by interacting with specific objects.
Avoid Reading Guides
Unless stuck on a difficult puzzle or challenging section, players reading walkthroughs or guides may encounter spoilers that could spoil key moments. As such, the most effective way to step into the world of Life is Strange is to have as little knowledge as possible. Additionally, if players wish to explore alternate endings based on choices made in Life is Strange, it is advisable to do so only after completing their first playthrough.
Use Collectible Mode
Every Life is Strange game includes "Collectible Mode," a feature that was introduced with the first game. This option is usually located in a separate menu or tab, which may not be immediately apparent to players. This feature is incredibly beneficial for video game completionists, as it allows them to revisit the game and not worry about missing any achievements during their playthrough. Additionally, it offers a chance to explore the outcomes of different choices without impacting any of the initial decisions.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure
- Released
- October 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Max Caulfield, photographer-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University, discovers her closest new friend, Safi, dead in the snow.
Murdered.
To save her, Max tries to Rewind time – a power she’s not used in years… instead, Max opens the way to a parallel timeline where Safi is still alive, and still in danger!
Max realizes the killer will soon strike again – in both versions of reality.
With her new power to Shift between two timelines – can Max solve and prevent the same murder?
ORDINARY GIRL, EXTRAORDINARY POWER
Max is thrust into a thrilling supernatural murder mystery – more dangerous than ever before!
TRAVERSE TWO TIMELINES
Forge allies and pursue suspects across two versions of reality, shaping both timelines through unforgettable choices.
RACE AGAINST TIME
A relentless detective has Max in his sights, and Safi’s killer grows closer with every clue uncovered. Can Max survive long enough – to do the impossible?
DECIDE THE FATE OF CALEDON
Explore two versions of a vivid winter campus, each packed with clues, secrets, and tough decisions.
- ESRB
- M For Mature: Mild Blood, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Deck Nine
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- Life is Strange
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
