Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a standout sequel worthy of your attention
Oxenfree was a unique experience, putting you in the shoes of some kids thrown into a time- and reality-bending mystery that gave off some distinct Stranger Things vibes.
The main star of the 2.5D mystery was its 'walk and talk' mechanic, which brought all dialogue into the gameplay naturally, escaping the dreaded exposition dump and really playing into the group narrative and dynamic.
The story was gripping, the soundtrack lush, and everything came together in an unexpected witches' brew of creative ideas that made for a pretty unforgettable experience.
Now, seven years later, Night School Studio is back with a sequel that somehow manages to deliver that comforting yet intriguing blend of ideas once again in the shape of Oxenfree II: Lost Signals.
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This time – excuse the pun – you follow the story of Riley Poverly, an environmental researcher from Camena who's come back, for reasons you'll uncover, just in time to get herself embroiled in a supernatural time-space mystery while investigating some odd radio signals.
Oh, and there's now a cult running around town causing mayhem – as if radio-ghosts weren't enough!
Parentage are a mysterious group who are actively trying to open a rift, and while we don't know why, they're aware of your presence and will do what they can to stop your progress at every turn. Discovering more about their origins was a nice addition to the game, putting on a bit more pressure to get your jobs done and solve the mystery as you play cat-and-mouse with the mask-wearing fanatics.
Supernatural goings-on aside, Oxenfree II also deals with loss and growing pains once more, but this time from an adult perspective rather than teenagers staring over the precipice of adulthood. The characters carry the weight of expectations and failures to carve out the life their younger selves imagined they would have.
Jacob is your partner for most of the journey, a handyman looking for his dog and struggling with a perceived lack of purpose in his life.
Together with Riley, they work through finding purpose and their attempts to make something of their lives, something most of us at a certain point in our lives can probably begin to relate to. It's these subjects that Oxenfree II handles in such a casual but meaningful way for a video game.
Without going into spoilers, there's lots of nods to the previous game, with the presence of Edwards Island always looming large in the background as you explore Camena, and some loose ends have somewhat of a conclusion that collides with Riley's own story.
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You can also expect some tough decisions along the way, which naturally come up in conversation of course, meaning you'll be engaged with even the briefest of chats about the seemingly innocuous as you begin to understand how the game's story is shaped.
It's a simple premise from a technical standpoint, functioning much like a point-and-click adventure. You'll explore and interact with key items as you find the perfect spots to place some antenna. You'll also use your walkie to communicate with off-screen characters and tune your radio to uncover secrets and solve puzzles, all while the game does its best to throw some unexpected horror your way – which is something Oxenfree II does very well, despite its almost disarmingly 'cosy game' aesthetic.
This never feels hollow thankfully, or as if you're just going through the motions. There's plenty to explore as you push through the game's main tasks, with Camena offering a vast map to wander through as you pick up hints about the past and find new friends on the walkie to check in with.
As with the conversation mechanic, everything you discover feels like an organic discovery and serves to flesh out the town and its inhabitants. And with a soundtrack equally as well-crafted as the first, honestly any excuse to have a calm walk in some soothing synthwave while listening to sailors and townsfolk tell their story is a welcome one.
If we had to nitpick, the 2.5D layout can occasionally lead to the odd moment of fiddling to get the right angle of a platform, rope or obstacle but beyond that, we had a truly immersive and smooth experience from start to end.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is as unique as its predecessor and once again shows that Night School Studio is onto something with their 'walk and talk' mechanic. We can't wait to go back and dive in once more, and can't recommend the game enough.
Platform reviewed on: Nintendo Switch
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is out on PC/Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and iOS/Android via Netflix today (July 12).
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