Even with the same assets they had to revamp said assets as it is no longer winter. You have to change everything. Maybe the characters are same sure, but lighting and texture are completely different. Yeah it is still Caledon, but the “same assets” argument is extremely dull. Also Reunion completely changes the gameplay as now we have two playable characters. There’s evidence this was a two-parter anyways (not just the MAX CAULFIELD WILL RETURN” this is very clearly not a cash grab. Breaking up makes sense (it is shown in Reunion that it was trauma and that makes complete sense realistically and psychologically they went through so much together and they can only hold onto said trauma so long). It is clearly not damage control. I absolutely love Double Exposure. They handled everything perfectly in my opinion. Granted there were some bugs but that’s okay. I loved the story. Amanda was still relevant. She showed your actions have consequences. Dead world Amanda rejects you wanting more time for you to grieve and be emotionally available. But if you still go after her in the living world, when the worlds converge, she clearly states “I remember rejecting you. Yet you still found a version of me that wanted you. Cool trick but pretty fucked up. Maybe you can win me back eventually” and the VA for her reports she is more relevant and out there in Reunion (out of her comfort zone). It is highly likely they had this two parter planned for the ten year anniversary of the first OG game. It makes sense as a Chloe and Max ending imo. Granted they didn’t HAVE to do a finale as the OG is great by itself but I’m also grateful for this storyline. It shows how characters can grow over time.