Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

In many ways, this kind of narrative-focused work is the opposite of what the 'video game medium' as a whole is typically known for. Even with its supernatural and YA overtones, at its core, it's an admirably modest and subtle work of character-focused story-telling, more mature than its predecessor, and largely unconcerned with set-piece or gimmick. Instead, the primary focus here is placed on the gradual and believable development of a set of core relationships, out of which wider themes of alienation, loss, outsiderism, disconnection, and the senselessness and complexity of human life, emerge, and are all the more moving for their groundedness. Some might find it a tad slow and thinly-plotted; others might dismiss it for not being overtly groundbreaking, particularly relative to the first game. These would be fair criticisms. Overall, however, I personally appreciated its confidence - its boldness even - in just telling a human story in a simple and intimate way, with textured performances, and thoughtful scripting. Sometimes, there's a lot to be said for simplicity.

In terms of production, this is clearly a labour of love. The artwork and animation used to evoke the world is almost uniformly beautiful, and frequently very expressive in its slightly twin-peaks-esque evocations of darkness and the ethereal. As in the first game, the use of choice mechanics also very closely mimics the real-world process of building relationships, and works well to heighten intimacy and empathy.

If you're someone with an interest in interactive narratives, I'd definitely recommend giving this a go.

The future replaced by the past, making way for that feeling of déjà vu you just can't shake. Are you sure you haven't been here before? Haven't you met this person before, or did you just know someone that reminds you of them? Answers only lead to more questions, and soon the questions start to become familiar again. Time passes, until it doesn't. It's different until it's the same. Nothing is able to change that, you've never heard of the people who have for a reason. An improvement upon the original in many facets, and just as consistent in those I remember most. I missed you, quirky janky movement. A breath of fresh air to reignite my excitement for these developers after Afterparty.

Not as great or better than the first one (a high benchmark), but still a really good game. Superb writing, voice acting, charming moments and a slow burn horror tale, combined with cute aesthetics. More of the same, and that’s a good thing. Needed more of scntfc’s music, though. I feel like he held back on this one, seeing as his score to the first one is one of my favorites.

Oxenfree II is a sequel with a new heroine to the first title that got a lot of attention back in 2016, mainly because of its free flowing dialogue system. Well, this one got released 7 years after and there have been no innovations in that front. Mechanically this plays very similar to the first game, except with some easy puzzle elements thrown in and automated climbing.

You play this game for the story, but unfortunatly its also a weaker version of the first game. It uses a lot of the same elements and themes, with its spooky elements and young adult existencial crisis, but the cast is weaker. The main character you are stuck with the great majority of the game is really annoying and with a style of comedy that I get not enjoyment from. There is a lot of walking and the game really suffers due to the lack of a run buttom.

Visually the game is pretty barebones, again no improvement at all from 2016. The chromatic aberration is really taken to extremes at points.

The game is a solid adventure experience, that takes about 5 hours to complete. Its a big disapopointment in the sense that it doesnt improve the original in any way, and its worst in a couple of spots. The standard for indie games is also much higher in 2023, so I dont view this one as a must play unlike the first.