Square Enix's latest financial report confirms substantial losses attributed to the October 2024 release of Life is Strange: Double Exposure. The publisher has been unable to recover its investment in the title, which received mixed reviews from critics and fans.

OpenCritic reports a Top Critic Average of 71 for the game, with only 54% recommending it.  Criticism focused primarily on the narrative, with many feeling it disregarded the preferred ending of the original game and overused Marvel-esque plot devices, despite heavily marketing Max Caulfield's return.

As reported by The Gamer, Japanese financial analyst Hideki Yasuda confirmed the significant losses for Square Enix.  Interestingly, the strong performance of Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, exceeding two million global sales, helped offset these losses.  Even the return of the beloved character Max Caulfield wasn't enough to drive sales for the Life is Strange sequel.

The financial disappointment of Life is Strange: Double Exposure is not entirely surprising. The mixed reception and December 2024 layoffs at developer Deck Nine hinted at the game's struggles.  A January 2025 survey issued by Square Enix further suggests the company was seeking feedback to understand areas for improvement in future titles.

Considering the financial losses and mixed critical reception, the future of the Life is Strange franchise remains uncertain. While the series retains brand recognition, it's unclear if Square Enix will be eager to revisit it after this setback.