Oxenfree Reviews
There's a haunting elegance to Oxenfree that's there because each of its constituent parts are working together to create it.
Oxenfree is a story about human interaction and how we choose to treat each other, all set against a backdrop of supernatural horror. It just feels really human in spite of all the weird stuff.
Players that love a good story, some nice reveals, and lots of character driven dialog will eat up Oxenfree. It personally reminded me at times of Goonies, Donnie Darko, and X-files, all thrown in a blender together and spat out. It's a game with a great amount of heart, and one scene in particular, while it didn't have me in tears, I couldn't help feel touched by that moment.
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.
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.
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.
Despite being rather short, it's a memorable game and one which will make the players feel responsible for their choices, as the answers given during the dialogues will have direct consequences on the overall development of the game's plot.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Oxenfree 2 casts off adolescence in a bid to explore the trials and tribulations of adulthood, featuring authentic dialogue that packs an emotional punch.
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.
Despite its affinity for the supernatural, Oxenfree's soul is firmly planted in reality.
Like a top-notch episode of a great TV show Oxenfree presents a well told singular story in parallel with interesting mythology.
Unique, with a strong cast of relatable characters, this is a supernatural mystery thriller with a compelling narrative and setting.
If you can live with that, Oxenfree ends up being a great experience for modern adventure fans. It may have a lot more dialogue than puzzles, but it is so well written that you miss it in the silent moments. The interesting story is backed up by likeable characters, and the whole thing is wrapped up with a presentation that bleeds style. Unless you want to wait to see if the issues are addressed in a future patch, Oxenfree is worth checking out now.
Oxenfree's aesthetic is wonderfully distinctive, to the point where it's indelibly tied to the game
Not quite a Telltale-level game, but also not something to pass up. The beautiful visuals, characters, and choices are why I came back to it. And with that radio you just can't "turn that down".
Despite its slightly vague story and note-collecting-based narrative, I was completely smitten by Oxenfree, so it's an easy title to recommend, especially if you know a lot about World War 2.
Oxenfree is a game where player choice matters a lot, and that fact mixed with an incredible atmosphere and an even better narrative create great memories for the player. Alas, it has a few flaws, such as the camera positioning and the walking speed, but the whole experience can make you forget them.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Peel back the layers of mystery and intrigue, and what underpins Oxenfree is remarkably simple in approach. With nuanced storytelling at its ghostly heart, the pacing to this coming-of-age tale suffers in places but it will still enthral like no other. For Edwards Island holds many secrets, it just depends whether you want to stick around long enough to learn the truth about them all.
While Oxenfree has a few flaws, its beautiful backdrop and stirring musical score set the stage for a tense story that has you flinching at every turn. It may be a bit too creepy, but the emotion and connection you feel with the characters will spur you to the finish.
Oxenfree has charm and experiments with choice in a fun way, but it has a few missteps that prevent it from reaching its full potential