Play it on: Cellular
Present aim: Cease these rattling youngsters
Oxenfree is one in every of my favourite video games ever. Its compelling mixture of naturalistic, banter-y dialogue and spooky podcast-like storyline clicked strongly for me, solely drawing me into its mysterious narrative. Peculiar radio indicators, ghostly apparitions, and time and house not behaving correctly, all skilled by the attitude of some smart-mouthed teenagers taking one final jaunt earlier than beginning faculty. I couldn’t suggest it to sufficient individuals.
Then in 2023, a sequel got here out, and I didn’t play it. I didn’t wish to play it. I believe as a result of I used to be simply afraid it couldn’t recapture that second, and that second had been excellent. Additionally, as a result of developer Evening College’s intervening recreation, 2019’s Afterparty, didn’t work for me in any respect. However I’ve stopped being such a giant foolish, and pushed by the need to play one thing narratively sturdy whereas on a brief trip this vacation, however solely outfitted with my Android pill, I remembered Oxenfree II comes as a part of an energetic Netflix sub. And it’s nice! It’s actually nice! It makes extra errors than the unique, bits of the story not fairly including up correctly (maybe due to selections I made, it actually fails to clarify why the 2 major characters are so antagonized by teenager Olivia), nevertheless it’s as soon as once more a triumph of gorgeous vocal performances and an intriguing (if frustratingly unbelievable—radios don’t work like that!) storyline. I’m very near the tip, and look ahead to lastly discovering out the way it all wraps up. — John Walker
