Oxenfree II: Lost Signals Quick Time Review

Developer: Night School Studios

Publisher: Netflix, MWM Interactive

Release date: July 12, 2023

Available on: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch (reviewed), PC, PS4, PS5

2016’s Oxenfree was an engaging horror adventure game as your characters dealt with ghosts that were trapped between time and space. Seven years later, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals attempts to recreate that magic with a new setting and new characters. Much of the gameplay that made the first game work so well has been retained, with plenty of dialogue options and choices that impact your ending. A couple of additions, like adding the walkie talkie into the mix where you can reach other folks across nine channels and aging the protagonists from teenager to adult, work nicely. Sadly, repetition does creep in, and the in game map is not always helpful at showing you where to go. It’s a worthy sequel, but it does fall a bit short of the first game.

PROS

Solid story with choices that matter

Multiple endings

New characters and setting

Terrific art style that adds a surreal effect

Solid gameplay carried over from the 2016 original with a couple of new additions

CONS

In game map not always helpful

Gameplay can get repetitive

Lacking the horror vibe of the original

In all, while Oxenfree II is certainly worth checking out, especially if you were a fan of the original, it’s familiar gameplay is marred by repetition and an in-game map that not always helpful in showing you where to go next. The new characters, setting, and gameplay additions help in creating a solid sequel, even as it falls a bit short.

7.5/10 stars