Play it on: Mobile
Current goal: Stop those pesky kids
Oxenfree remains one of my all-time favorite games. It captured my imagination with its seamless mix of casual, witty dialogue and a spine-chilling, podcast-like narrative. The plot unfolds with eerie radio signals, ghostly figures, and time-bending mishaps, all seen through the eyes of wisecracking teens savoring their last summer before college. I couldn’t stop recommending it to everyone.
Fast forward to 2023, a sequel emerges. Strangely, I avoided it. A part of me feared it wouldn’t recreate that magical experience, and I cherished that memory as flawless. Plus, Night School’s follow-up game, Afterparty in 2019, didn’t resonate with me at all. However, my reluctance waned. On a short holiday break, armed only with my Android tablet, I craved a narrative-rich game. That’s when I remembered Oxenfree II was part of my Netflix subscription. And let me tell you, it’s fantastic! Really fantastic! Although it stumbles a bit more than the original, with some plot elements not quite meshing—maybe because of my choices; it doesn’t explain well why the two protagonists are at odds with Olivia, a teenager—it’s still a standout with its remarkable vocal delivery and an intriguing storyline (despite its slightly surreal radio mechanics). I’m nearing the end and eagerly anticipating how it concludes.—John Walker
