Life is Strange: Double Exposure is out now!
Here’s everything you need to know to start this supernatural murder mystery.The time has come - Life is Strange: Double Exposure is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Windows and Steam.
It’s a gripping and beautiful experience for anyone who loves mystery stories, amazing characters, and awesome music. Read on, and we’ll tell you all about it.
What’s the story of Life is Strange: Double Exposure?
The new game puts you in the role of Max Caulfield - a talented photographer working at the prestigious Caledon University.
Some of you may recognize Max - she was the protagonist of the very first Life is Strange adventure. Now she’s back, still performed by the talented Hannah Telle, but with a new life and a new job in a new place.
That fresh start is torn to pieces, however, when her closest friend, Safi, is found murdered in the snow. There’s no murder weapon, no clues, and no suspects - it’s an impossible crime.
Fortunately, Max is well-equipped to solve it. She discovers she has the ability to Shift at will between two timelines - the one where Safi was murdered and another where her friend is still alive. It’s up to her to solve the murder in one timeline, and prevent it in the other - even if that means exposing the dark secrets that lurk at the heart of the university…
Who are the main characters?
Your investigation into Safi’s murder will introduce you to a host of fascinating folk, including many of Caledon’s students and staff. You’ll get to know these people intimately over the course of the game - you’ll discover that before long they start feeling like old friends - or perhaps, in some cases, enemies.
What’s more, you’ll get to meet them in two very different timelines and, while their core personalities are consistent, you may be surprised by how different events - and the choices you make - can change their outlook and relationship with Max.
Some of these unforgettable figures include:
Max - The protagonist of the game, returning from the very first Life is Strange story. She’s a quiet, introspective young woman, blessed with both a skill at photography, and some mysterious supernatural abilities.
Safi - Max’s closest friend on campus is creative, outgoing, and great at getting Max to open up a little. She is murdered in mysterious circumstances but remains alive and well in another timeline.
Moses - An astrophysicist who works at Caledon University’s Observatory. He’s good friends with Safi and becomes a close confidant for Max when life takes a turn for the strange.
Vinh - Assistant to the Dean and head of the Abraxas Society, a secretive artistic collective that specializes in ‘performance art’. He’s handsome and charming, but is there a hidden depth behind that smile?
Amanda - Runs the Snapping Turtle bar, and is a huge advocate for music, art, and comedy. She’s always there to lend Max an ear and has something of a crush on the talented photographer.
Gwen - a published author and professor in the literature department. She’s loved by her wife and her students but can be quick to distrust the motives of those around her.
Lucas - an award-winning author whose passion for literature is matched only for his passion for himself. He’s a much sought-after teacher, though many on campus find his arrogance frustrating.
Diamond - an aspiring director with a special interest in watching and creating documentaries. She has her eye on leadership of the Abraxas Society and wants nothing more than to take the crown from Vinh.
Loretta - a true crime enthusiast who has her own podcast: ‘Get a Clue.’ When she senses a scoop, she’ll pursue it relentlessly - an approach that often proves as irritating as it is effective.
That’s just a small selection of the people you’ll meet in the game. To learn more about the characters, be sure to check out our guide:
How do you use Max’s powers?
Max’s new powers don’t just make for a fascinating story, they also open up all kinds of fun gameplay opportunities.
There are two main powers at your disposal: Pulse and Shift.
Pulse lets Max glimpse into the other timeline without traveling there herself. Want to see where someone goes, or eavesdrop on a conversation - all without them knowing? This lets you do it.
The other power is Shift. At certain points in each area, Max is able to instantly transport herself from one world to another. It’s a stunning visual effect as the entire scene changes before your eyes, but it’s also very useful. If a door is locked in one timeline, it may be open in another, giving you entry. You can even carry objects between timelines - grabbing an item in one, to give you an edge in the other.
You’ll use these powers over the course of the story, but there are also loads of other, optional opportunities to use and potentially abuse your abilities. Is a student failing a course due to a vindictive teacher? Take the opportunity to raise their grade - though you may have to use your powers to discover a computer password to do so.
There are plenty of opportunities to help and hinder people across the different timelines beyond the critical story path, so keep your eyes open for opportunities to play. And remember - even these small decisions can have an impact.
Do you need to have played a Life is Strange game to enjoy this one?
If you’ve never played a Life is Strange game before, then Double Exposure is a great place to start.
You don’t need any prior knowledge of the previous games, or Max herself. The game tells a new story in a new setting, so feel free to jump on board and see why Max and the series are so beloved.
Who’s on the soundtrack?
The Life is Strange series is famed for its incredible curated soundtracks, featuring some of the most talented Indie artists on the planet, and Double Exposure is no different. In fact, as well as some top-notch tunes, it also has incredible new music written especially for the game.
Here’s just a selection of the incredible talent you’ll hear:
- dodie
- chloe moriondo
- Tessa Rose Jackson
- New Dad
- Matilda Mann
- Ape Dos Mil
- JFDR
- Pale Honey
- Lights on Moscow
You can listen to some of these tracks right now on streaming services, including Spotify:
How do you get Life is Strange: Double Exposure?
Life is Strange is available now for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows and Steam. A Nintendo Switch edition of the game is also in development and more details will be shared at a later date.
Three editions of the game are available right now:
Life is Strange: Double Exposure - gives you the full game. Experience Max’s new adventure as she investigates an impossible murder mystery on the campus of Caledon University.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure Deluxe Edition (digital) - includes the game and two additional outfit packs for Max: the Spooky Outfit Pack and Decades Outfit Pack.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure Ultimate Edition (digital)- includes the game, five additional outfit packs for Max, (including the FINAL FANTASY VII Outfit pack!), exclusive cat content in which Max must look after a purrfect pal.
All three editions are available now:
We can’t wait for you to experience what’s in store for Max and get to the bottom of the many mysteries at Caledon University. To stay up to date with news about the game, and connect with fellow fans, be sure to follow us on social media: