Life is Strange could have a sequel despite recent poor sales

The first installment of Life is Strange marked a turning point in the narrative adventure genre. Its innovative mechanics of story-altering decisions and the powers of protagonists, such as Max Caulfield, cemented the franchise as a benchmark for interactive storytelling.

However, Life is Strange Double Exposure didn't have the same impact. Sales were disappointing, and the debate over Chloe's decisions divided fans. This raised doubts about whether Square Enix would continue the series.

According to outlets including VICE , a former Deck Nine employee listed an “unannounced project” on LinkedIn for 2025. Another former member of the studio confirmed on Reddit that it is a direct sequel to Double Exposure , known as Double Exposure 2 , which could be released in 2026.

The key detail is that this title is backed by a contract signed between Square Enix and Deck Nine , which means that, despite poor sales, the project was never contemplated for cancellation.

Although the contract guarantees the sequel, the gaming industry is complex. Deck Nine has laid off several staff members in recent months, creating uncertainty about production. The layoffs have been made "department by department as their assignments are completed," which could affect development times and the game's quality.

If Double Exposure 2 arrives in 2026, it will be a crucial opportunity to revitalize the series. Fans are hoping for a return to the essence of Life is Strange , with deep stories, meaningful decisions, and solid emotional character development.

Additionally, this installment could include improvements in graphics, narrative, and gameplay mechanics, learning from Double Exposure's mistakes and community feedback.

Life is Strange is a success not only for its sales, but for how it redefined modern graphic adventures . Stories like Max and Chloe's have inspired other developers to prioritize narrative and emotional interaction with the player.

The release of Double Exposure 2 could be decisive: a success could keep the franchise alive for years, while a failure would jeopardize Life is Strange's future in the global video game market.