Have You Tried OxenFree? If Not, You Should!

Okay, this time I won’t be talking about a new or upcoming release, but about an exciting game and its sequel, both already a few years old but undoubtedly deserving of attention in case you haven’t played them yet. I’ll explain, from my humble point of view, why you should: I’m talking about none other than OXENFREE (2016) and its sequel, OXENFREE II: Lost Signals (2023). Both games present a supernatural thriller-type adventure, narrated in both cases from the perspective of teenagers. Despite their obvious differences in visuals and art style, they strongly remind me of series like Stranger Things, just to mention a minimal comparative reference.

Personally, I don’t recall seeing in other titles the combination of factors that make these two adventures a must-play for mystery adventure lovers, or, going even further, for everyone in general. In this article, you’ll find trailers for both games and images, but trust me, gamer, I insist that you should experience them for yourself. And I’ll take a few minutes to explain why I’m so sure of that.

OXENFREE (2016)

Night School Studio brings us this modest work of art in 2016. While it has gained some popularity and received excellent critical reception, let’s be honest, it still hasn’t received the recognition it truly deserves. The first title in this saga, OXENFREE, puts us in the shoes of Alexandra, a teenager called Alex by her friends, who takes her new stepbrother to a get-together with friends for a beach night on Edwards Island. This mysterious, nearly abandoned location once served as a military base during World War II and later operated as a modest mining site for a few decades.

These kids, just looking to do what all kids their age do, were relaxing around a beach bonfire when they decided to explore some nearby caves. Now, without giving you any spoilers, they eventually discover some texts and mysterious radio signals, accidentally “activating” what initially appears to be a space-time rift or anomaly. From that moment on, a series of supernatural events unfold, closely tied to the island’s history and, in many cases, intertwining with each of the teenagers’ pasts and the different motivations that shape their distinct personalities.

Although we could say that OXENFREE is a graphic adventure, as it shares many characteristics of the genre, there are moments when you must respond within a limited time. If, on the other hand, you chose not to say anything or simply run out of time to select an option, your silence will be interpreted as an intentional choice, influencing how your friends react. Eventually, even though it won’t take you many hours to complete this adventure, you’ll discover that the game has a high replayability factor. Depending on your choices, different events and conversations take place. Once you finish, you’ll be invited to “continue the timeline“, starting the adventure over but now with many different dialogues available because you have already lived through everything and know much of what will happen. This allows you to choose different paths than before.

OXENFREE is a supernatural thriller told in a passionate and engaging way, with a strong emphasis on narrative. While its references are minimal, they come from classic 80s teen horror movies. This fantastic mix is completed by believable characters that are easy to empathize with from the start, featuring well-executed voice acting that significantly enhances immersion in the story.

As a small final note, it’s worth mentioning that some scenes or dialogues might not be suitable for all audiences. At times, they address themes such as the loss of a close family member or even serious topics like suicide.

OXENFREE II: Lost Signals (2023)

Okay, in this second installment, we take on the role of Riley, a young woman who, after returning to her hometown of Camena to investigate mysterious radio signals, eventually ends up visiting our already familiar Edwards Island, triggering a series of events far beyond what she could have expected.

The small coastal town of Camena begins experiencing major electronic disturbances, for lack of a better term. TVs turn on and off for no reason, airplanes lose their radar signal, and nearby radio stations struggle to broadcast clearly due to static interference. These anomalous electromagnetic waves disrupt the peaceful lives of the town’s residents, and Riley Poverly, reluctantly, decides to return to Camena to investigate the mystery. However, she discovers much more than she ever imagined.

Just like in the first game, you’ll find a similar visual style with carefully crafted and well-executed art that enhances the narrative of this adventure. As before, your decisions carry significant weight in the story, influencing how you get along with different characters and leading to various timelines that can ultimately change the ending.

Unlike the first title, this time you’ll have a walkie-talkie, allowing you to initiate conversations at any time and place. You can ask for information about events or locations and even chat with the locals. You alone will decide how to approach each situation, and literally, every choice you make will have consequences, whether minor or major.

OXENFREE II: Lost Signals is the sequel to the previously mentioned game, OXENFREE, also by Night School Studio. Its developers invite you to enjoy it as both an independent adventure and as a deeper dive into the story by playing the first game beforehand. My personal recommendation, of course, is to play both. In this second installment, the dangers and risks will be even greater than before, and as always, the radio and now the walkie-talkie will be your best tools. How you choose to face each obstacle could be the difference between life and death, for yourself, your companions, or even humanity itself.

Besides the island you already know, Camena’s geography will present its own challenges, making you stop and think about your next steps, often with multiple options to choose from. Sooner or later, you’ll learn a valuable lesson: “You don’t mess around with anomalous space-time rifts!”

Now that you have a pretty clear idea of what OXENFREE and OXENFREE II: Lost Signals are about, this time we’re not just inviting you to try them, we’re ordering you to do it! The games aren’t too large, and it won’t take you too many hours to finish them, at least the first time, of course. My opinion, which you’ve probably gathered from everything above, is that these are absolutely unmissable adventures, whether you love the genre or just gaming in general. And now that you have a full picture, how about heading to the comments and telling us what you think about these games? Or better yet, what did you think if you’ve already played them? You know, gamer, we’ll be tuning in! 😉

Images Source: Night School Studio Official YouTube Channel, Netflix Games Official YouTube Channel, OXENFREE on Steam, OXENFREE II: Lost Signals on Steam