Playing on mobile devices, Oxenfree has always ranked among my top gaming experiences. The game engages with its unique blend of realistic dialogue and a plot that feels straight out of a spooky podcast. The twists and turns—strange radio signals, eerie apparitions, and a mysterious disobedience of time and space—all unfold through the eyes of sharp-witted teens on their last adventure before college. It left such an impression on me that I couldn’t stop recommending it to friends.
Fast forward to 2023, and a sequel hit the shelves, but I surprisingly kept my distance. My hesitation came from a fear that it might not recapture the magic of its predecessor. That previous game was flawless to me, so why risk ruining that memory? Additionally, I couldn’t connect with Night School’s 2019 release, Afterparty, which dampened my excitement for the sequel. However, I eventually set aside my doubts. While on a short holiday with just my Android tablet at hand, I remembered Oxenfree II was part of a Netflix subscription. I gave it a shot, and to my delight, it’s fantastic!
Though it fumbles in areas compared to the original—certain story aspects seem off, possibly due to choices I made, and it struggles to explain the tension between the two main characters and teenager Olivia—the sequel shines in its own right. It delivers outstanding vocal performances and an intriguing, albeit somewhat implausible, storyline. Radios aren’t supposed to work like that, after all! I’m nearing the conclusion and can’t wait to see how the story finally resolves. — John Walker
