Ever had a game that just clicks with you? For me, that was Oxenfree. There’s something about its blend of snappy dialogue and a chilling, podcast-style narrative that draws you in. It’s all about these teenagers who stumble upon strange radio frequencies, encounter ghostly figures, and watch as time and space go haywire—all while they’re supposed to be enjoying one last adventure before college. I became a total evangelist for it, recommending it to anyone who would listen.
Fast forward to 2023, and they release a sequel. Yet, for some reason, I held off on playing it. Maybe it was the fear that it wouldn’t live up to the original perfection or perhaps it was the letdown I felt with Night School Studio’s other game, Afterparty, which didn’t resonate with me. But I eventually put all that aside, mainly driven by the need for a strong narrative fix during a mini-holiday, armed with just my Android tablet. I remembered that Oxenfree II was available through Netflix, and I’m glad I gave it a shot. It’s fantastic! Not flawless, admittedly—it has a few missteps and parts of the story seem a tad disjointed (I’ll admit, my choices might have played a role there, especially in the oddly hostile dynamic with another teen, Olivia). Still, the vocal performances are as stunning as ever, and the storyline remains captivating, if slightly far-fetched (honestly, radios can’t possibly work like that!). I’m nearly at the end, and I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up. It’s great to be back in that world again. — John Walker
