You can dive into it on your mobile. And here’s the mission: put a stop to those pesky kids!
Oxenfree has long been a standout game for me. Its naturally flowing dialogue peppered with witty banter never failed to draw me into its eerily fascinating plot. Picture a mix of strange radio signals, spectral figures, and the fabric of time and space unraveling—all through the eyes of sharp-tongued teenagers savoring one last adventure before heading off to college. I was hooked and wanted everyone to experience it.
Fast forward to 2023, and the sequel’s arrival was met with hesitation on my part. I was reluctant to play it, partly because I feared it wouldn’t capture the charm of its predecessor, a moment in gaming I treasured. Adding to my apprehension was that Night School Studio’s game from 2019, Afterparty, just didn’t resonate with me. However, I decided to push past my reluctance, especially during a short holiday with only my Android tablet and a craving for a rich narrative. I realized that Oxenfree II was included in my active Netflix subscription. And you know what? It’s fantastic! It’s genuinely impressive! Sure, it falters more than the original, with elements of the story occasionally feeling disjointed (perhaps influenced by my choices). The tension between the main characters and teenager Olivia left me puzzled, but once again, Night School Studio delivers with exceptional voice work and an engrossing, albeit somewhat implausible, storyline. I’m nearly at the finale, eagerly awaiting to see how it all concludes. — John Walker
