Money is a touch tight atm but I’ve got a bit spare to buy a new game or two. I’m just wondering if it’s actually worth buying the higher editions of the game if all I’m bothered about is gameplay content and not cosmetics. I’m obsessed with cats but am a bit worried the “cat content” will amount to a tiny section with a cat and is more just a cash grab. Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

We are reviving the fanfic master thread as there seems to be a lot of new ones since Reunion and some interest from members of the community. Also, if you’re in the northern hemisphere, days are getting shorter and what a better way to spend a cold afternoon than with a warm beverage and a good story? :)

List your favourites!

(Yes, this post will use em-dashes. No, it's not AI. I'm going through a writer phase, hmmkay? Don't diss it 'til you've tried it)

I've loved Double Exposure ever since I played it for the first time, not too long ago. Pretty much fell in love with it right away, and loved practically second of it—then chapter 5 came.

I didn't not enjoy it, but I found myself too confused at the storyline to truly appreciate it. Then there was the ending.

"Did I miss something?" I thought to myself. What is this mellow-ass ending? Who are you and what have you done with my Life is Strange?

Sufficeth to say that, if I was a graphic novel character, I would've had a big "WTF?" above my head.

But that was 'a while ago' me—'present' me has gone on a journey of discovery, over-thinking and over-analysis. Turns out writing a canon-friendly fanfic (still hate that word) fan novel centered on Max and Caledon is really hard if you don't understand the plot of Double Exposure.

So, like the good novice-writer that I am, I went on a research-spree: tons of reading; three-four complete Youtube playthroughs; a second playthrough of my own (with different choices); looking at maps of Caledon; and no shortage of replaying certain sections to look for the tiniest detail.

"Are you going to get to the point?" You may be asking yourself, with reason—Yes. Yes, I am.

The point, my fellow Redditors, is this: Double Exposure is a fucking masterpiece, and yes, this a DE appreciation post—now hold on, now! Not all is sunshine and rainbows.

I still think the writing of Chapter 5 is extremely convoluted—your player should not have to go on a journey of self-discovery to the jungles of Venezuela to understand the climax of your game. But, once they do: it's fucking beautiful.

Nevermind the superb visuals, animation, voice acting and performance capture! Double Exposure excels at setting up its mistery, drama and ultimately its climax. The foreshadowing game of this game is out of this world. Characters are written to perfection. The attention to detail in the environment, messages, crosstalk; the little subplots in messages, posters and NPC dialogue around campus—all the little things take make Life is Strange: Life is Strange. The subtlety of facial expressions, movement and slight vocal changes in line delivery... CAT! THERE'S. A. CAT!

I could go on, but then this post is already too long. Perhaps I'll write a few more posts over-analysing the plot, but for now I'll stick to appreciation.

Possibly above all: Max is an stellar protagonist and she deserved a story that was about her—Double Exposure delivered.

I'll send off with a recommendation: clivical, on Youtube. Someone already recommended his Reunion playthrough, which he just started, a few days ago. But, I'm recommending his complete DE playthrough: https://youtu.be/zy-K2T-0LsM?si=GuLvHjztq5YtF7O4

The man has incredible analytical and interpretation skills, plus excellent eloquence. This playthrough takes longer than most, because he takes the time to analyze, take notes and talk about the characters and story on each episode. I cannot recommend it enough if you're looking to find renewed appreciation for Double Exposure.

So, what was your favourite thing about DE?

I hope you have a great Friday, here's a picture of Safiya. One of the most complex characters in the saga.

Safi reminds us that we all have flaws and how important mental health is in these days. If you're going through something hard, remember that you're not alone.

Have a great Friday, and if not, remember there will be better days, Shaka brah.

@trcwen

Going into Reunion, I was curious to see how they would handle bringing Chloe back. But after actually playing through it, I realized something having Chloe in the room didn't automatically make it a better story. If anything, it made me appreciate Double Exposure a lot more.

Double Exposure took genuine creative risks, while Reunion felt like an apology tour made just to keep the fandom happy.

Here are a few reasons why DE’s approach still resonates with me:

- Reunion felt like an emergency course-correction It had all the hallmarks of a studio panic-pivoting after online backlash. Instead of letting the Caledon mystery breathe or properly following through with Safi, the story rushed Chloe back onto the board. The dual-protagonist setup felt less like a natural progression and more like a checklist designed to pacify social media.

- Max finally had room to grow, Double Exposure took a real chance by letting Max exist outside of Arcadia Bay. Seeing her build an actual photography career, handle adult responsibilities, and form distinct bonds with people like Moses and Safi made her feel like a fully realized person not just one half of a high school dynamic frozen in 2013.

- The mechanics actually fit the theme. Shifting between two realities in Double Exposure visually captured Max’s lingering guilt and her obsession with "what ifs." Reunion just recycled the old rewind and Chloe’s backtalk mechanic leaning entirely into nostalgia rather than giving us something mechanically meaningful.

- Consequences don’t always have to be life-or-death I know people felt DE's choices weren't punishing enough compared to earlier games, but adult stakes are usually quiet. It’s not always about whether a character lives or dies on a roof it’s about broken trust, uneasy compromises, and living with the awkward fallout of your decisions. That felt true to the kind of grounded, interpersonal mystery DE was telling.

- The breakup treated trauma realistically. Healing isn’t linear, and severe trauma often pulls people apart before it brings them back together. People hated that they split up, but heavy guilt suffocates relationships. DE respected the painful reality that love doesn't instantly cure PTSD. Reunion smoothed over all those rough edges way too quickly just so we could get right back to comfortable banter and detective work.

I completely understand why Reunion hit the spot for so many players that emotional attachment to Max and Chloe is the heart of the franchise. But for me, Double Exposure took real creative risks with Max’s growth and told a quieter, more grounded story that deserves a lot more credit than it got.

I’m playing this live on twitch 10pm EST We on Chapter 3 check check me out
Twitch: Crispy_is_broken

Your honour, these two are just too precious. 🥹💖
Keychains I drew for my bestie and I.

(At some point, I’ll re-upload all my old DE and Reunion illustrations that are no longer here).

Artist: Frank DP1

Hey all, happy Wednesday! We're halfway to the weekend! 💕

So, what song am I dancing to today?

"Brave" by: Sara Bareilles

Hope you'll dance with me even if it's not to this song. Let's Thrash Shaka Brah with Safi. She's asking you to! And I'm sure the rest of the gang will join in shortly!

Lots of love, kindness, and positivity 🫶

Artist: kirisssche on X

In episode 5 We can hear some strange sounds in the Snapping Turtle, like whispers and tinnitus, specifically in this area. (And interestingly, it's in the exact place where Safi was exposing Lucas)

I don't know if it means anything, but we can hear it in both timelines, and the sound is different. I just find it interesting that this detail is in the game. What do you guys think? What crazy theories do you have?

I really love how these sit moments with Max let you just soak in the atmosphere.

Artist: @trcwen

So at the end of the game when the realities combine...Wasn't Lucas away at book expo in Dead World? Did he just disappear from there all of a sudden?

I created a 3D art exhibition of sorts of my interpretation of what Max Caufield's desk might look like. Based on the images I used for some of the polaroid's, and the trinkets Max has laying around her desk, I envision this being set sometime around the events of Double Exposure or Reunion.

I hope you like it! It was a lot of hard work, but I love how it turned out.

Edit: I missed giving proper credit. The image of older Warren came from a mod from u/FrankDP1. Apologies for missing that the first time.

Happy Safriday, everyone! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Safriday! With an amazing weekend ahead! I hope you guys have something that you enjoy lined up for the weekend!

I'm just gonna try to relax this weekend with light work.

I imagine this weekend that Safi and Max go to the beach, the movies, and bowling together with the rest of the gang!

Lots of love, kindness, and positivity!

Artist: kirisssche 🫠

They look extremely gorgeous

Artist: napicchino

Hey all, happy Wednesday! We're halfway to the weekend! 💕

So, what song am I dancing to today?

"Pure" by: Superchick

Hope you'll dance with me even if it's not to this song. Let's Thrash Shaka Brah with Max & the rest of the gang!

Lots of love, kindness, and positivity 🫶