Life is Strange: Double Exposure Walkthrough – Chapter Guide, Choice Breakdowns & Tips

Max’s journey carries on in Life is Strange: Double Exposure. Our lovable, awkward polaroid-snapping teenager has now grown into an equally socially inept young adult who’s still capturing moments on film.

She seems to have enjoyed a brief moment of peace before the supernatural took over her life once more. Now, it’s time to explore, solve puzzles, and make choices again.

If you’re curious about how things might have unfolded had you chosen a different option or if you’re struggling to solve a particular puzzle, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our complete walkthrough of Life is Strange: Double Exposure.

Chapter 1: Still Life Walkthrough

What Should You Say Happened to Chloe?

How to Get a Pickup Line for the Competition

By checking the board to the right of the bar table, you’ll discover there’s a bad pick-up line competition happening. You can collect pick-up lines from Safi and Reggie, and later talk to Amanda to enter the contest.

To win the pick-up line competition in Double Exposure, use Safi’s line about s’mores. That’ll secure you first place.

All Painting Locations in the Snapping Turtle

If you want to get on Amanda’s good side, you can help her fight against the evil powers of frat pranks. Your task is to find and fix three paintings that have been turned upside down. Here’s where to find them:

• The first painting is to Safiya’s right, near the stage. Before fixing it, make sure to read Amanda’s note on the left.
• The second upside-down painting is behind Reggie and Diamond, on the wall with the pirate and cat artwork.
• The last one, a robot painting, is located to the right of the WC.

Should You Ask Amanda Out as Friends or as a Date?

Where Should You Hide the Bottlecap?

At the time of writing, we’ve played this section thrice and, somehow, failed all three times. While we can’t yet tell you the correct solution, we can definitely tell you what not to do:

• Do not hide the bottle cap in Safi’s pack of cigarettes.
• Do not throw the bottle cap inside a snowball – Max will miss the throw.
• Do not hide the bottlecap in Safi’s bag – she will see you slip it inside.

The only viable option seems to be hiding the bottle cap in Amanda’s candies. We’ll confirm this soon!

How to get Gwen’s Book

Gwen needs help, and you’re a resourceful person. Here’s how to get Gwen’s book in Life is Strange: Double Exposure:

1. Interact with the Book of Essays behind the case. The information says there’s a copy in Row 12, which is on the wall to your right.
2. Bring this book to Gwen. However, she’ll tell you she’s only interested in the copy inside the case.
3. Head to Vinh’s office and grab a spoon from the coffee machine nearby. Use the spoon to open the case and give the correct book to Gwen.

Should You Finish Loretta’s Interview or Call Her Bluff

How to Bring Moses’s Hot Chocolate

Nothing made me feel worse than forgetting Moses’ hot chocolate. Here’s how you can do it:

• Look at Moses sitting down by the cafe. The Hot chocolate option won’t trigger unless you actually select the Look option.
• Interact with the barista and ask him for Moses’ hot chocolate.
• Grab it from the bar table.
• Head to Moses’ table and hand it to him.

Should You Interrupt or Speak at the “Memorial”?

How to Solve the Abraxas Puzzle Box

You can find the Abraxas Puzzle box if you walk past the RIP rock in the outdoors area of Calendon. Here, you’ll spot Reggie getting upset at the box and throwing it at the ground. If you pick it up, he says it’s all yours to solve.

1. Turn the Abraxas Box around until you spot the side with the Founder’s Statue. Max will comment that it’s missing a bird.
2. Next, rotate the box until you find a bird. Ask Reggie to light it up to remove the wax surrounding it.
3. Finally, place the bird on the side with the Founder’s Statue.

While the challenge continues, this is all the puzzle-solving Max can take in one chapter.

All Chapter 1 Polaroids

Polaroid location	How to find it	Appearance
	You can find the first polaroid in the Snapping Turtle, on top of a table near the back door.
	The second polaroid is lying on the ground of campus, right after you leave the Observatory.
	The third polaroidcan be found in Max’s house, just by the window with the telescope downstairs.

Chapter 2: Penumbra

How to Investigate the Cow Skull

To complete the “investigate the cow skull” objective, open up a portal to the Dead world in the bathroom, inspect it up close, and speak with Amanda. Here’s a step-by-step:

1. The cow skull is located in Safi’s windshield in the Living world, not above the stage. You can ask Amanda if she knows what happened, but she won’t be able to name a suspect.
2. After talking to her, head back to the bathroom and cross over to the Dead world.
3. When you’re in the Dead world, examine the cow skull. If you can’t see it well because Max is too short, go back to the Living world and get the step ladder next to the Christmas tree.
4. Finally, rotate the cow skull to find a signature that points to Lucas Colmenero.

How to help the timid guy get the bathroom key

To help the timid guy the bathroom key, wait until Yasmin and Safi leave the Snapping Turtle. She’ll tell you about the Cow Skull and leave.

1. Overhear the conversation between two students sitting by the Christmas tree in the Snapping Turtle.
2. Next to the “Snapping Turtle Staff Recommends” board next to the bar counter, there’s an empty Bathroom Key keyholder.
3. To get the key, speak with Amanda and select the option Bathroom key. After this convo, you get access to the patio.
4. Open the doors, head outside, and listen to the pair’s conversation outside. You can speak with them, but they won’t give you the bathroom key.
5. At this point, switch dimensions to the Dead World and use pulse to eavesdrop on their plans.
6. Now while still in the Dead World, grab the bathroom keys, and bring them to the living world. Hang them on the key holder. This will allow the timid boy to go to the bathroom.

What to investigate in Gwen’s room

To complete Max’s investigation of Gwen in Life is Strange: Double Exposure, follow these steps:

1. Go into the office in the Living world, where she’ll leave the door slightly open.
2. Check the following items in the Living world:
   • Calendar
   • E-mails
3. Next, switch to the Dead world and check:
   • Calendar
   • E-mails (pay special attention to Maria’s e-mails).

While there are more items to inspect, these are the key messages you need to finish the investigation.

Should You Lower Loretta’s Grade?

How to open Lucas’ briefcase

You can’t open Lucas’ briefcase in the Living world, so start by opening a portal to the Dead world and talk to him in the cafeteria. Next, grab the Sharpie marker from the counter and go up to his cardboard cutout to vandalize it however you like.

Once you’re done having fun, let Lucas know about this unfortunate incident to distract him while you take the key. After that, head back to the Dead world, open the briefcase, and snoop around.

Should You Delete the Restraining Order Photo or Send it to Safi?

Should You Drink With Vinh or Keep It Professional?

How to Unlock Vinh’s Phone With His Password

In Life is Strange: Double Exposure, there are two ways to unlock Vinh’s phone: you can either ask Dead World Vinh for the passcode or try to figure it out yourself.

Since Dead World Vinh owes you a favor from when you brought him a package in Chapter 1, you can choose to claim this favor now or save it for later. He will share his passcode with you, but he won’t give you his phone. Fortunately, there’s a second phone available in the Living World.

Alternatively, you can save the favor for later and figure out the passcode on your own. Living World Vinh mentions that the passcode is based on the year a magician scientist died. To uncover this information, talk to Dead World Vinh about the individual and then do some research in the library. Look for a book called History of the Occult on a shelf in front of the library entrance.

What is Vihn’s Phone Password in Life is Strange: Double Exposure?

The passcode you’re looking for is 1952. Once you have it, head back to the Living World and snoop through Vinh’s phone.

How to leave a therapist card for the Abraxas students

To leave the therapist card for the students, follow these steps:

1. Head to the Admin Building during the By the Horns scene.
2. In the Living World, look around the area outside the library to spot a Stress Relief Kiosk. until you spot a therapist’s business card on a nearby surface.
3. Look at it and then pick up the card when you get the chance.
4. After picking up the card, switch over to the Dead World.
5. Walk over to the Abraxas students in sitting the library. They should start a conversation automatically when you approach.
6. Listen to the conversation in full. It may seem unrelated to the card at first, and the conversation is fairly long, but you need to stay with it until Max says “”Hey, didn’t I see a therapist’s business card just a few minutes ago?”
7. Now, look behind you to spot some Stickers on it. This is the spot where you can leave the card. Select the option to leave the therapist’s card on the paper.

Should You Rescue the Flash Drive With Security Footage or Let It Burn?

Should You Tell Loretta What Reggie Saw at the Overlook?

How to Solve the Safe Constellation Puzzle

To get the camera back in Life is Strange: Double Exposure, follow these steps:

1. Open up a portal to the Living world and speak with Moses to help him assemble the telescope.
2. To find the Allen wrench, open a portal to the Dead world and grab it from a counter near the kitchen. Bring it to Moses.
3. After checking out his secret hiding spot, grab the Key in the Living world and take it to the dead world. Open the cabinet to find a clue for the real hiding spot.
4. In the Living world, speak with Moses about the “Safe“. He’ll be using his computer.
5. Back in the dead world, climb up the stairs and use the projector. Here, move the projection southeast until the constellation I’ve marked with red lines up with the drawn bodies.
6. Once it’s aligned, approach the Saiph constellation, which you can learn about by reading the posters on the room’s wall. Namely, Atlas of the Stars.
7. Saiph is right behind the telescope parts in the Dead world.

At this point, Detective Alderman walks in, so you need to open a portal to the Living World. Grab the Hawt Dawg man from the Christmas tree, then bring it back to the Dead World while standing on the mezzanine. After that, return to Saiph and push the telescope parts. This allows Max to unlock the power to teleport items to another dimension.

As Alderman gets distracted by the telescope that suddenly appears in front of him, quickly steal the camera and head back to Moses.

Should You Agree to Inform Alderman or Refuse to Cooperate?

How to solve the second layer of the Abraxas puzzle

You can find the Abraxas puzzle box on Max’s counter, right before you meet with Moses in the Dark Room.

If the box isn’t there, it means you didn’t fully solve the first layer in Chapter 1. Make sure you’ve done everything in the first layer, including talking to Reggie about the box and placing the missing bird piece.

1. Look for a face on the box with a constellation design.
2. Identify the Libra Constellation: This symbolizes “Justice,” an important Abraxas theme.
3. Align the Stars:
   • The first star should be centered on the middle horizontal line.
   • The second star goes slightly below, in line with a small triangle shape.
   • The third star is above, at the top of the triangle tip.
   • The fourth star should line up horizontally with the first star.
4. You’ll hear a “click” or see a panel pop open if done correctly.
5. Inside, you’ll see a disc with symbols, including what looks like a scepter and a shield.
6. Find the image of a rooster snake (a unique creature symbol on the box).
7. Turn the outer ring of the disc to place the scepter symbol in the rooster snake’s “hand.”
8. Now, rotate the inner ring to align the shield symbol in the rooster snake’s other “hand.”
9. Once correctly aligned, the puzzle box should fully open, signaling you’ve successfully completed the second layer.

All Chapter 2 Polaroids

Polaroid location	How to find it	Appearance
	The first Polaroid in Chapter 2 is inside the Snapping Turtle, on top of the table in which Reggie and Diamond were speaking in Ch. 1. You can only find it in the Dead World, though.
	The second Polaroid in Chapter 2 is in the front yard of the campus, on a table under the pergola. You can only find it in the Living World.
	The third polaroid is lying on top of a bench in the Observatory. You can only find it in the Living World.
	The fourth polaroid is inside Moses’ laboratory, on top of the desk with computers in the Dead World.
	The last polaroid in this chapter is in Max’s house, but can only be found after coming back home with Moses. It’ll be sitting on top of a drawer near the back door, but only in the Dead world.

Chapter 3: Spin

What does Moses say when you were away?

The correct phrase here is “Machine Angel Psychic Storm.”

Should you help Alderman or Save yourself?

Should you call Yasmin out or go along with it?

How to listen to Vinh and Diamond’s conversation

To overhear Vinh and Diamond’s conversation, stand next to the stairs and cross over to the Living World. As you stand in front of the coffee machine in Vinh’s office, use your powers to see their silhouettes on the other side.

How to find information about Maya

Since Lucas isn’t willing to cooperate, you must shift to the Dead world, where he’ll be on his way to a conference. Here, break into his office and follow these steps:

1. Look for a Family Photo on the desk and grab it.
2. Turn it so you can look at its base. Here lies a hidden key.
3. Use this key to open the golden typewriter to your left.

This way, you’ll unveil the truth of why Lucas Colmenero has “blood on his hands.”

How to get Amanda’s romance scene

Even if you rejected Amanda in the first chapter, you can still get her romance scene in Chapter 3 – you just have to choose the right answers.

After the concert scene, you both sit down and have a conversation. When she says “What kind of friend would I be if I drove you to tears the first time we hung out?”, say that would be hot.

How to get Vinh’s romance scene

To get Vinh’s kissing scene, you must answer “Smash” to his question. Even if you say you’re just friends, and even if you’ve been telling him he’s what the did with Maya is terrible just now, you can still get Vinh’s romance scene. When you look back to Reggie, though, he will be gone.

Where to find the intruder?

The intruder is hiding in Max’s dark room. It’s the door you went through in Chapter 2 to meet up with Moses and see the pictures in Safi’s camera.

All Chapter 3 polaroids

Polaroid location	How to find it	Appearance
	The first polaroid in Chapter 3 can be found on Caledon campus’ cafeteria, on a table in front of the counter. You can only find it in the Dead World.
	The second polaroid is in the Admin Building, on Vinh’s coffee table. You can only find it in the Dead World.
	The third polaroid is inside Lucas Colmenero’s office, right next to the golden typewriter in the Dead World.
	The fourth polaroid is in The Snapping Turtle, on top of the barrel-table under Diamond’s movie poster in the Living World.
	The fifth polaroid is inside Max’s house, on top of a coffee table near the telescope downstairs. You can only find it in the Dead World.

Chapter 4: Diptych

Should to confess to Safi you killed her or say she died?

Should you tell Safi you would shoot her or not?

How to break Olga the projector

You need to have a more trustworthy person in charge of the projector and Reggie won’t cut it. Follow these steps to break Olga:

1. Speak to Reggie as a first attempt to get him to give you access to the projector. Regardless of whether you say “Helping us with a prank?” or “Being relieved of your duties?”, Reggie won’t leave the projector unprotected.
2. Head to the Dead World and speak with Other Moses outside of the bathroom to devise a plan together.
3. Back in the Living World, send Diamond a text message asking her to distract Reggie. You can either say there’s a “Missing Assignment” or “Bring up Vinh”
   • If you choose Missing Assignment, Diamond will create a group chat telling you and Reggie that he missed a photography assignment.
   • If you choose to Bring up Vinh, Diamond will create a group chat in which she threatens to share some of Vinh’s nudes.
4. Once you have access to Olga, tap the dimension button/key to hear Other Moses’ instructions. Here’s what you must do:
   • Open the Control Hatch on the right and switch it to Manual.
   • Look for the Focus Dial outside of the Control Hatch and turn it to the left twice.
   • Press the red button to Calibrate.
5. After the projector – mysteriously – begins to malfunction, go get Living World Moses, who’s playing with Diamond, to fix the “Busted projector.”

How to find a chimney for Other Moses

To find Other Moses’ chimney, you must speak with Safi in the Living World. You’ll find her speaking with Vinh near the stage. choose the option Gingerbread house to get her chimney.

Should you tell Safi “go as yourself” or “go as Vinh”

Should you rush Safi or talk Safi down?

All Chapter 3 polaroids

Polaroid location	How to find it	Appearance
	You can find the first polaroid inside Max’s house in the Dead World, right on top of a table next to the wooden canvas.
	The second polaroid is on a table right next to the stage of the Snapping turtle, in the Dead World.
	The third polaroid is on the green chair in the patio of the Snapping Turtle, in the Living World.
	You can find the last polaroid under the pergola on your way to the Observatory, in the Living World.

Chapter 5: Decoherence

Should you stand with Safi or refuse?

	You can find the first polaroid in the scene in which you find Moses smoking by the observatory.
	The second polaroid is in the Blackwell Academy Bathroom, next to the grafitti about Victoria.
	The third polaroid is on one of the tables in the Snapping Turtle.

You can also read up on our preview thoughts and see what we thought of Max’s new adventure.

About the Author

Cande Maldonado

Editor

Cande’s calling in life is to annoy NPCS, smash virtual pottery, and complete every side quest available in RPGs. Her passion for games dates to 2006, when she mounted a Chocobo for the first time, but she has been writing professionally for the past four years. Under Nintendo and Square Enix’s chokehold, she willingly pours hours upon hours into reaching 100% completion in the longest roleplaying games ever made. But hey, who needs fresh air and sunlight when you can just live in Ivalice?

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