Oxenfree Reviews

Oxenfree is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Jan 16, 2016

Oxenfree is a gorgeous and artistic adventure game, which demands attention. It is, however, kept from greatness due to some unfortunate technical problems that can lead to a lot of frustration.

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ACG
Top Critic
Buy
Jan 16, 2016
Oxenfree Review "Buy, Wait for Sale, Rent, Never Touch?" video thumbnail
Matt Buchholtz
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Jan 15, 2016

Like a good roller coaster, Oxenfree starts with nervous laughter, escalating to an event that leaves the character white-knuckled and wishing they had stayed home.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 15, 2016

With a mystery that grows stranger and stronger the deeper you dive and characters that are instantly relatable, Night School Studio delivers a first effort that's spooky, sincere and enthralling.

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Jan 19, 2016

Oxenfree is short, at around four-to-five hours, but like Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, it's the perfect length for what it is. It's not exactly challenging, and if you're stuck it's usually because you failed to spot something obvious – just check your notes or the helpful in-game map. That will be enough to write it off for a certain audience of gamers; the ones who don't think that games should be about the story or dismiss Gone Home and Everybody's Gone as 'walking simulators' (in which case you might label this a 'talking sim'). But if you're happy to get caught up in a rich, fascinating piece of interactive fiction, Oxenfree will keep you hooked throughout your first playthrough – and thinking through at least one more.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2016

Oxenfree deals with some heavy topics in just a few hours, and manages to do something genuinely interesting with them. A phenomenal conversation system anchors most of the experience, but there's many mysteries for dedicated players to solve. Oxenfree is a game that rewards players that go the extra mile, and how much you get out of it is directly tied to how much you put in.

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83%
Mar 17, 2016

Perfect for anyone who prefers narrative over puzzles.

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8.4 / 10.0
Jun 6, 2016

OXENFREE is an amazing story that doesn't ask a lot of extra attention from its players other than listening and occasionally playing out some puzzles/problems/actions onscreen. It's one of the better stories that I've played in 2016 and I hope that Night School Studio does a follow-up to it sometime soon.

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9 / 10.0
Jan 23, 2016

Oxenfree is here to tell a story, and it doesn't lose sight of what contributes to making that story feel relatable and consequential. Alex and her friends are in a time when every move is called into examination from a jury of ruthless peers. Oxenfree responds not by accepting or escaping from resolution, but accurately relating the tension of a time when every answer is on one side of zero. Whether the context is supernatural or merely personal, Oxenfree makes it feel powerful.

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80%
Jan 18, 2016

Oxenfree just goes to show that you don't need vast wads of cash to make great games. You can make one with a strong enough idea and a solid and unwavering vision. With its engaging story, its excellent voice-acting and enthralling dialogue, Oxenfree is a game to remember, marred only by its constant crashes, which is less than ideal.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 15, 2016

Despite the supernatural intrusion, Oxenfree never loses sight of the human drama at its core, remaining largely understated and tasteful in its exploration of the gulf that grief and insecurity can create in any relationship.

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90%
Aug 11, 2016

The Director's Cut of Oxenfree remains a dissociative nightmare you can't wake up from.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 20, 2017

Just last week, Oxenfree was launched on the Nintendo Switch, bringing it to a whole new audience. As one of those new people, I am thrilled to have been given a chance to experience Night School Studio’s debut work. A tale of choice, friendship, communication, and what we do if we’re given a chance to alter events… Oxenfree is a narrative masterpiece.

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8 / 10
Oct 16, 2017

Like a top-notch episode of a great TV show Oxenfree presents a well told singular story in parallel with interesting mythology.

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7 / 10
Nov 15, 2016

Oxenfree is a curious and fairly short game. The wonderful voice acting and characters, the interesting themes and the beautiful backdrops are sometimes let down by poor design choices. Ultimately, for fans of story, of which I am one, it is worth playing. But if you have to get your kicks from involved gameplay, perhaps this is not the one for you.

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NZGamer
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Feb 5, 2016

A fresh, compelling take on the "cabin in the woods"-style teen horror.

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10 / 10.0
Jan 21, 2016

Oxenfree takes the best parts of supernatural 1980's teenage horror films and combines it with believable characters, beautiful set pieces, and a haunting VHS synth-pop soundtrack to create a masterpiece.

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4 / 5.0
Jan 19, 2016

Despite its affinity for the supernatural, Oxenfree's soul is firmly planted in reality.

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6 / 10
Apr 18, 2016

Intriguing game held back by a faltering script

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Fextralife
Lanzen
Top Critic
9 / 10
Mar 16, 2016

Inventive, spooky, and compelling, marred only by an overly vocal cast. The story is clever, you will want to see this to the end. Surprisingly deep mechanics, and a different take on managing NPC opinions. Overall a very logical and thoughtful game.

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