Oxenfree

 Switch
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Vooks
    Oct 30, 2017
    70
    It’s an intriguing story, and one I feel is worthwhile experiencing so long as you’re not put off by a lack of moment to moment game-like elements. It’s just a shame that Oxenfree’s design genius is at odds with its pacing.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best Switch Game of 2017
30
#30 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
62
#62 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 150 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 150
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 150
  3. Negative: 13 out of 150
  1. jpritcha
    Mar 10, 2019
    4
    The dialog and story are great, and I am completely fine with walking simulators that tell a good story. However, the following things killedThe dialog and story are great, and I am completely fine with walking simulators that tell a good story. However, the following things killed the experience for me:

    1.) Slow pacing and movement speed
    The game is 4 - 5 hours long, but feels like it could have easily been 3 or less if the movement speed wasn't an absolute crawl all the time. Short games are fine, but drawn out games are not.

    2.) The zoomed out perspective
    While some of the backdrops are beautiful, I had a very hard time making out what things were a lot of the time. There are handy little bubbles that let you know what you can interact with, but they felt like an absolute necessity at times rather than a nicety. Also, I had a very hard time empathizing with a cast of characters that I saw as little more then a bunch of ants throughout the whole game. I feel the game would have been much better if the perspective had been zoomed in by 2x or even 3x, or even if it had zoomed in and out based on context.

    3.) The ABSURDLY long loading times.
    They are seriously on the order of 30 seconds or more between areas on switch. What the hell is this game loading!? Each area is little more than a static background, dialogue, and a few simple 3D models. They pulled me out of the experience completely to the point where I would leave, go do something, and come back to avoid staring at a mostly black screen for so long.

    In summary, the core part of the game is great. If you can put up with the flawed presentation and long load times, the story is well worth it. Unfortunately I found myself being pulled out of the experience too often to really enjoy it.    … Full Review »
  2. TheSeahorse
    Jul 15, 2018
    6
    This game is NOT worth the 20€ price tag and I'm happy I got it at 75% off.

    The game takes about 4-5 hours to complete and the writing and    This game is NOT worth the 20€ price tag and I'm happy I got it at 75% off.

    The game takes about 4-5 hours to complete and the writing and voice acting is really good by game standards. The game falls short however on it's lack of game play, it makes you think you can make choices but all you're really doing is getting different lines of text that all lead to the same point.

    Buy this if you like playing games that play out like a movie, and if you don't know if you like games like that, wait for a sale.    … Full Review »
  3. nusco
    May 12, 2018
    6
    Half teenager movie, half spooky ghost story, Oxenfree is all about the dialogue. Sure, you'll have a heck of a lot of walking around asHalf teenager movie, half spooky ghost story, Oxenfree is all about the dialogue. Sure, you'll have a heck of a lot of walking around as well–but that feels like an excuse to throw more conversations at you.

    The graphics in Oxenfree are very nice, following the tiny protagonists across the vast landscape. The story is also serviceable, the way that the "teens stumbling upon a supernatural mystery" trope tends to be. But again, this game is ultimately about the relationships between the characters and their conversations, which are your tool to steer the story towards one of its many (and subtly different) endings. Indeed, once the talking is done, the game feels a tad empty, and your sense of agency fades.

    Oxenfree is good fun for a few hours, even though it sometimes dilutes those hours to the point where it deserves the infamous "walking simulator" label. It makes up for that with interesting characters, an interesting backstory, and–oh, did I mention all that dialogue?    … Full Review »
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