The new Life is Strange looks great – but there’s one thing clouding the anticipation. Because if you don’t want spoilers, you have to dig deep into your pockets.
One of the big announcements in recent days was the announcement of a new installment in the “Life is Strange” series. Titled “Double Exposure,” we see what has become of Max Caulfield and how she must once again make use of her powers.
But a discussion overshadows the game’s announcement in the community. Square Enix is offering a particularly expensive “Ultimate Edition” that allows you to play part of the game in advance – which could ruin the experience for the rest of the fans.
What’s the problem? Anyone who pays a proud €80 (which is €30 more than the regular price of the game) will not only receive additional content, like another quest, but also a full 2 weeks of early access to the first two story chapters of the game.
Life is Strange tells its story in episodes – but releases them all at once. Only those who buy the expensive version will experience an episodic release as it was with the first Life is Strange, with a 2-week pause in between.
Why is this not good? The “Life is Strange” series is primarily a story experience. No matter which installment of the series it is, the plot and drama take center stage in the game and form the great appeal.
The accusation here is: Square Enix wants to “indirectly force” long-time fans to buy the expensive version. Only then can fans relive the episodic release of the first part and not have to basically avoid the internet for two weeks to avoid spoilers.
Especially the long-time, loyal fans might feel compelled to dig deeper into their pockets to not jeopardize their gaming experience with spoilers.
The community discusses: In the Life is Strange community, this practice by Square Enix is viewed extremely critically. Heated discussions are taking place on social media like Reddit and X.
- “I LOVE Life is Strange, but a €30 upgrade for 2 weeks of early access is just a shame. If you don’t want spoilers, you have to pay an extra €30. Hell with that.
You people at Life is Strange and Square Enix have lost your minds …” – Steven Korkowsky on X - “I’m so looking forward to it!
What I’m not looking forward to are the incentives for people to buy the Ultimate Edition to play the first two chapters two weeks earlier.
That’s just disgusting for such a game.” – Tyler Miller on X - “People will buy it on day one because they have the money and love Max. I hate this practice so much, especially in a genre where spoilers can ruin the experience.” – Oddlyoko97 on Reddit
However, most seem to agree that early access of a few days would be okay – but 2 weeks is such a long time that it’s nearly impossible to avoid spoilers on the internet.
What is Life is Strange: Double Exposure about? In the latest installment of the “Life is Strange” series, we return to the origins of the game – namely to the first protagonist, Max Caulfield. She has now aged a bit and devoted herself entirely to photography. But one night, a good friend of Max is suddenly murdered. Although she never wanted to use her powers again, Max focuses and tears reality apart. There are now two different timelines – one in which her friend is still alive and one in which she is already dead.
Through detective work and tough decisions in both timelines, Max wants to prevent the assassination attempt – and save more than just one life.
Are you looking forward to the new Life is Strange? What do you think about the early access? A nice bonus for the Ultimate Edition or just an outrage in a game that places such a high value on story? Life is Strange has had some unpleasant scandals in recent months and years – there was even a developer who wanted to smuggle Nazi symbolism into the game.
