Oxenfree Reviews

Oxenfree is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
8.2 / 10.0
Jan 15, 2016

Oxenfree is elegantly simple, using branching dialogue and a little something supernatural to develop three-dimensional characters and drive the coming-of-age story. There's not much else to it in terms of gameplay, which is absolutely a good thing, but pacing issues in its story can make it feel sluggish between conversations. Mostly, though, it's like walking through a stunning painting, listening to the idle chatter and revealing talks of (sometimes unnatural-sounding) teenagers.

Read full review

8.3 / 10.0
Oct 12, 2017

Oxenfree is heavily narrative oriented gaming experience that would be a shame to skip on any platform. While it’s not a revolutionary concept, the Night School Studio game is original with its creative and soundtrack direction, as well as touching some fun topics, and a story full of suspense. Whether you have a Nintendo Switch or not, you should definitely try this game, which happens to be out on almost all gaming platforms.

Read full review

83%
Mar 17, 2016

Perfect for anyone who prefers narrative over puzzles.

Read full review

Andy Kelly
Top Critic
83 / 100
Jan 15, 2016

A beautiful story-driven adventure game with a compelling story and great characters, set on an island filled with intriguing mysteries.

Read full review

84 / 100
Jan 17, 2017

An interesting indie game that is worth its price for people who enjoy games that unfold through their dialogue.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jan 19, 2016

Oxenfree creates suspense and tension as the player experiences numerous unexpected events. This is Oxenfree's greatest strength. The slightly questionable dialogue mechanics and relatively short story are generally the only downsides here, but otherwise, you really might want to consider being part of this adventure, because you never know what might happen.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Mar 3, 2016

With an enthralling mystery to solve while trying to survive a supernatural event, Oxenfree challenges you to solve a mystery, care about the characters, and make you want to play through the story again and again.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jun 8, 2016

So much of Oxenfree is an utterly heavenly experience. The conversation options knocks other games out of the water, and the characters are relatable and well-realised. The story is well-paced for much of the fairly brief play time, but sadly things unravel by the time the finale arrives, making a potential stone cold classic into something that's merely great.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jan 18, 2016

Not perfect, but absolutely worth experiencing.

Read full review

8.9 / 10.0
Oct 21, 2017

If you’re looking for a unnerving game to play this Halloween, Oxenfree is the game for you. Although, easily completed in a night, Oxenfree doesn’t overstay its welcome. When you finish the story, I urge you to try not to press that ‘Start Game’ button all over again just to get a different ending. It will fill you with joy, sorrow and spine-chilling moments; Oxenfree absolutely nails every aspect of what a ‘good’ game should entail. The story is spot on, the graphics are beautiful and the music is alluring. This is only a brief look into the World of Oxenfree, for only £15.99 it’s totally worth picking up to experience it for yourself and find out what is happening.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Feb 19, 2016

Oxenfree is a spooky game perfect for anyone who enjoys ghost stories and dialogue-driven gameplay. Although the story is short, its multiple endings and lingering questions will pull you back for more.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

NZGamer
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Feb 5, 2016

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

Read full review

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.

Read full review

90%
Aug 11, 2016

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

Read full review

9 / 10
Oct 10, 2017

A genuinely creepy creation, Oxenfree combines a clever story and smart dialogue mechanics with superbly sinister music to leave a deep and lasting impression on the player, one that should encourage an all-important second playthrough. Fans of Stranger Things and Poltergeist will love the direction this game takes – if not to hell and back, exactly, then absolutely to some other place where horrors abound, just waiting for an invitation into our world. It's yet another Switch essential.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Jan 28, 2016

Besides those two slight issues, Oxenfree is a compact, fresh experience that introduces lovable characters, a phenomenal soundtrack, and one of the no doubt dopest endings this year.

Read full review