Oxenfree was obviously inspired by teen movies, and the cast is familiar without ever becoming annoying. The voice acting adds to the game’s immersion. I never wanted to redo specific parts I wanted to replay the whole thing. However, while playing Oxenfree I was also thinking of what I would do during my next run. You reload a previous save and continue the game, this time making sure to make the right choice. It is common in video games to make a decision just to realize it is not really the one you wanted. Yet, the epilogue made it clear that I had somehow alienated everyone.Īnd that is where the true genius in Oxenfree lies. I even got all my friends off the island safely. On my playthrough, I made every conversation choice I would in real life. Everything you say (or don’t) has some sort of effect on the which of the game’s endings you receive.
Instead, you have a free flowing back and forth or you can choose to remain silent. Conversations are easy since there are not good, bad, or indifferent choices. The writing is the glue that keeps the game together. Everything that happens is part of the vast world building of Night School Studio. Oxenfree is filled with conversations that require the player to answer.
This is the first way the game keeps the player engaged. The game does not include any cutscenes and word bubbles appear over Alex’s head when you have a choice to make. As Alex you are free to walk around and talk with your friends. As soon as the game started, the player is part of Oxenfree’s world. But I never once thought of the games as merely a “walking sim”.
Oxenfree requires less action than many adventure games. In my recent review for the survival horror game, Claire, I wrote that the great setting and character were essentially wasted due to horrible gameplay and that the whole experience would have been better suited as a “walking simulator.” Oxenfree is what happens when a great story and characters come together with perfect gameplay.
As the group settles in for their night of debauchery, the island’s secrets decide they want to have some fun too. You play as Alex, a high school student who has come to Edwards Island with a group of her friends to have a weekend party. Oxenfree is set on a lonely island and takes place in one night. Oxenfree from Night School Studio is an engaging game that will impress anyone who plays it. For every Outlast there are more Layers of Fear. Unfortunately, many of these games fail to entertain. A quick peek at the Playstation Store proves there is no shortage of titles intended to scare those brave enough to play them. Indie horror games have become increasingly popular over the past few years.
For the month of October we’ll be sharing various pieces of underappreciated scary books, comics, movies, and television to help keep you terrified and entertained all the way up to Halloween.Īs we close in on October 31, AiPT! will be reviewing and recommending various pieces of underappreciated scary media-books, comics, movies, and television-to help keep you terrified and entertained all the way up to Halloween. Welcome to another installment of 31 Days of Halloween! This is our chance to set the mood for the spookiest and scariest month of the year as we focus our attention on horror and Halloween fun.