Review Details
Description
Oxenfree is a supernatural adventure game. Rites of passage and Senior year traditions set the stage for a group of friends sneaking off to Edwards Island, an old military outpost with no phone service. Players will take on the role of Alex as she brings her new stepbrother Jonas to an overnight party gone horribly wrong. Inspired by classic cult films like Stand by Me and Poltergeist, Oxenfree is an adventure that pulls from the past but looks to the present. “It’s a coming of age story where players control how their hero comes of age,” says Sean Krankel, co-founder of Night School. “We’re drawing on the fond and mortifying aspects of being in your late teens, and setting it against a dangerous and ghostly backdrop.”
Review
Oxenfree, developed by Night School Studio, is a narrative-driven adventure game that expertly weaves supernatural intrigue with deeply human storytelling. Set on the mysterious Edwards Island, the game follows a group of teenagers who inadvertently open a rift into a ghostly dimension. The protagonist, Alex, is a relatable and complex character whose emotional journey anchors the story's eerie happenings. From the very beginning, Oxenfree draws players in with atmospheric design and a palpable sense of curiosity.
The most striking feature of Oxenfree is its innovative dialogue system, which allows conversations to flow seamlessly in real-time. Unlike traditional adventure games where dialogue pauses the action, here you can interrupt, remain silent, or wait to respond, making each interaction feel natural and unscripted. This system not only builds personality but also fosters player agency, as conversations with friends Jonas, Ren, Nona, and Clarissa influence relationships and, ultimately, the story’s outcome.
Visually, Oxenfree is presented with a vibrant yet subtle art style that balances whimsy and menace. The hand-painted backdrops, combined with flickering lights and supernatural distortions, create an atmosphere that is both inviting and unsettling. The 2D presentation belies the depth of its environments, inviting players to explore every inch of the island while often leaving them feeling isolated and exposed.
Sound design in Oxenfree is nothing short of extraordinary. The game's haunting synth soundtrack and meticulously crafted audio cues heighten the tension, making supernatural occurrences all the more disturbing. The use of in-game radios to tune into mysterious frequencies serves as gameplay and narrative device, unlocking hidden stories and secrets while escalating the sense of unease. The voice acting deserves particular praise for its authenticity, selling both mundane banter and moments of emotional rawness.
Oxenfree’s narrative masterfully blends coming-of-age themes with psychological horror. As the story unfolds, layers of regret, grief, and forgiveness emerge, and the supernatural elements serve as metaphors for the struggles each character faces. The plot is filled with twists and branching paths, ensuring that each playthrough can yield new insights and outcomes. Puzzles, while generally straightforward, complement the story rather than distract from it, maintaining the focus on character development and atmosphere.
Though relatively short, clocking in at around 4-5 hours, Oxenfree encourages multiple replays thanks to its branching dialogue and multiple endings. Some players may desire more intricate puzzles or a deeper dive into the island's mythology, but the experience remains satisfying and emotionally resonant throughout. Small technical hiccups, like occasional pathfinding oddities, are minor blemishes on an otherwise polished presentation.
In conclusion, Oxenfree stands out as one of the most evocative and innovative narrative games of its generation. Its free-flowing dialogue, striking art direction, and unforgettable soundscape create an immersive experience that lingers long after the credits roll. For players who value story, character, and a touch of the supernatural, Oxenfree is an absolute must-play, setting a high standard for interactive storytelling in video games.