Overall, Oxenfree captured me from beginning to end. These intentional effects do well to lend to the spine-tingling scenes of discomfort while not making the experience unbearably frightening. This comfort is subverted at times through the game’s distortions and glitches. There are no “adults” around to help and give answers, it is just Alex and her group of friends.īeyond that, the simple but aesthetically pleasing visuals create a sense of comfort. You must piece together different clues strewn throughout Edwards Island.Īnswers aren’t given to the player on a silver platter, so take your bib off. Put your thinking cap on and figure it out on your own! This lends to a certain eeriness, reminiscent of teenage horror flicks. As players discover more mysterious radio stations, they are left to infer the meaning of each station. Occasionally discordant music and grating sounds play in the background. Radio stations allow you to contact otherworldly creatures and tune into creepy soundsĪs the player in Oxenfree, you are forced to focus on the sights and sounds of the world. Rather, it complements the game to create a delightfully spooky atmosphere. These are very simple mechanics for a game and never it does not hinder one’s enjoyment.
You will explore the island and discover dark secrets. You will read cryptic notes and engage in tense dialogue. The story of Oxenfree is revealed through these radio signals and ghostly encounters. This radio allows Alex to tune into mysterious radio stations scattered throughout the island. It also enables interactions with a mysterious, seemingly threatening, otherworldly force that occupies the island. Alex and her friends are forced to search the island, armed only with a radio.
In many ways that feels more organic than other games in which one wrong choice makes everything go downhill.Īfter you reach Edwards Island, you very quickly realize that things aren’t as they seem. This is great because that means the sum of your actions affect the ending much more than each individual choice. Your choices in the game do have consequences, just not in the way you might think. The outcomes of your choices have more to do with how your relationships with characters progress. The primary mechanic of this game serves as a way to push the plot forward and reveal backstory. As you may expect, each of these five teenagers bring their fair share to the island. I very quickly found myself fully immersed in the gossip, tension, and baggage. Not only was the dialogue realistic, it is also skillfully used to create a believable and likeable cast of characters. I was struck by how familiar the dialogue felt. It actually reminded me of my own high school conversations. This creates a uniquely authentic dialogue that is reminiscent of how teenagers actually talk.
This feature is particularly interesting because what you’ll find is Alex often interrupts other characters. Straight away she is given the opportunity to contribute to their conversation. Oxenfree opens with one of the game’s primary mechanics: dialogue choices. It begins with our main character, Alex, riding a ferry with her step-brother and best friend. On those fronts, Oxenfree not only delivers, but delivers with waves of a distinct nostalgic, atmospheric aesthetic.Ĥ.5 hours played (first playthrough), 10 hours played (replay) // Digital // Nintendo Switch Version // Price – 19.99 My biggest joy in gaming comes from exploring a world and getting to know the people in that world. I’ve always been particularly attached to story and dialogue-driven games.
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