[SPOILERS] My honest thoughts after finishing Chapter 1.

The first Life is Strange was a slap in the face, in the best way possible. It made me crave sequels, buy the license, and search for similar games. So I was very excited when Double Exposure was announced, even though, for some reason, I only started playing it these past three days (considering that the perfect time to play Life is Strange is always the first week of October).

I’ve only played the first chapter so far, so I don’t know what’s coming next… However, I have to say I’m disappointed so far.

Spoilers ahead:

!The game does have good points. It’s nice to be back inside Max’s thoughts, and it’s clear that years have passed since Arcadia Bay. The explanation for why she and Chloe drifted apart feels believable and grounded in real-life relationships. Over the years, people change, and they cope with their traumas differently — sometimes in ways we wish they wouldn’t. That part made sense.!<
!However, in this chapter, it felt like their breakup was brushed under the carpet, as if it were an irrelevant event. That’s strange, considering how much the original Life is Strange ending choice and the franchise’s identity revolved around the Chloe/Max duo. Moreover, unless I missed it, I didn’t notice any dates in Max’s journal or on her phone that would help establish when things happened or give a sense of chronology. I think this should have been given more attention.!<

!Another thing I didn’t like is how the first chapter gives off strong True Colors vibes — in pacing and structure. The graphics are beautiful, but what’s the point of creating a whole town (Haven Falls) or a university campus if you can’t freely explore them? So far, it feels like walking down a straight path while the game takes me by the hand, saying, “You’re going here, and you’re doing this.” Just like True Colors.!<
!I wish I could explore the campus, learn more about the world I’ve stepped into, and soak in its atmosphere. Considering Max is a professor now (as I understood), she should be able to move around the campus more freely than she could as a student at Blackwell Academy. The pacing just feels rushed.!<

!The campus itself feels shallow. And unlike the first Life is Strange, I didn’t feel any chemistry with the other characters. It’s as if they’re just Max’s friends, and there’s nothing else to learn about them. I wasn’t drawn to Safi, Moses, or Amanda the way I was to the residents of Arcadia Bay or Cassidy’s crew in Life is Strange 2. These new characters don’t make me want to interact with them or discover their stories and backgrounds.!<

Finally, unlike Life is Strange 1, Before the Storm, and Life is Strange 2, which hooked me instantly with their unforgettable soundtracks, from Jonathan Morali, Daughter, and Sufjan Stevens, this one hasn’t done the same. The music from those earlier games stayed with me after every session and still lives in me years later.

Anyway, as I said earlier, this is just my impression after the first chapter, not my final verdict on the entire game.