Oxenfree

 Switch
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
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  1. 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 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    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.    … Expand
  2. 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 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    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 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?    … Expand
  3. EnriqueAcevedo
    Mar 8, 2018
    7
    A very interesting game with a good storytelling... I loved Alex. In the negative aspect the price is too high in my opinion and the game is too short for $20
  4. Grunty
    May 31, 2018
    7
    6-hours teen movie with small impact of the narrative on gameplay but enough storytelling to keep interested in the whole session. For a cheap price, it is good.
  5. Switchindiefix
    Feb 6, 2018
    6
    Oxenfree is a good narrative driven game but has significant flaws that let the game down. It's puzzles are simple and repetitive, some of its dialogue seems out of place for the setting and some sections of the game feel forced in there to extend its length. Nevertheless, the story is a good mix of teen drama and supernatural horror and though nothing revolutionary, had me entertainedOxenfree is a good narrative driven game but has significant flaws that let the game down. It's puzzles are simple and repetitive, some of its dialogue seems out of place for the setting and some sections of the game feel forced in there to extend its length. Nevertheless, the story is a good mix of teen drama and supernatural horror and though nothing revolutionary, had me entertained throughout my play through. If you are a fan of narrative driven games you should check Oxenfree out on the Switch, especially at the €4.99 price point I got it at. €19.99 may be a little steep for the game so I suggest you pick it up if it goes back on sale.… Expand
  6. Cerenzio
    Nov 17, 2017
    7
    A pleasant, nice looking, and sounding, little gaming experience. It's short, and yet I was ready for it to be over, but, this is a journey worth taking, if you enjoy variety in your gaming. Visit me on Youtube: PLAYwithGREGG
  7. drlowdon
    Dec 18, 2021
    7
    A group of friends meet up on a small holiday island just off the coast of their home town, but whilst investigating the caves they unwittingly open a rift that allows ghosts to come into their world.

    Aside from the odd (very simple) puzzle, Oxenfree contains little ‘traditional’ gameplay and much of the 4-5 hour run time involves wandering around the island whilst choosing how to    A group of friends meet up on a small holiday island just off the coast of their home town, but whilst investigating the caves they unwittingly open a rift that allows ghosts to come into their world.

    Aside from the odd (very simple) puzzle, Oxenfree contains little ‘traditional’ gameplay and much of the 4-5 hour run time involves wandering around the island whilst choosing how to respond to the other members of your group. I appreciate that this description will instantly put off many gamers, but for those that enjoy this type of game the story is interesting enough that you’ll want to see it through to the end. The fact that your dialogue choices throughout the game effects how the game ends will also encourage repeat plays.    … Expand
  8. b00lpr0p
    Jan 24, 2019
    7
    The first game I played on the Switch. I had some fun, but at times it seemed to me a little boring. Sometimes the story did not captivate me. However, it is worth trying for the price.
  9. BigTom93
    Jun 4, 2018
    7
    Good, not great.

    I got it for $5CAD on sale, and at that price, its a damn good game, 9/10... However it regularly goes for $20CAD, and at that price, this game is kinda lackluster, especially compared to other titles on the e-shop. Depending on your route, this game will take you probably about 4-6 hours to finish. I'm not sure what "completing" it would take, probably multiple    Good, not great.

    I got it for $5CAD on sale, and at that price, its a damn good game, 9/10... However it regularly goes for $20CAD, and at that price, this game is kinda lackluster, especially compared to other titles on the e-shop.

    Depending on your route, this game will take you probably about 4-6 hours to finish. I'm not sure what "completing" it would take, probably multiple playthroughs, which most people don't have the time for.

    The narrative is fine, but I could clearly tell I was beyond the age of the target audience. I still enjoyed it, but not as much as I think I would have, had I been in high school when I played this. But yes this is very much a "teen" story, which means it primarily appeals to teenagers, aspiring teenagers (preteens), and people who miss being teenagers (manchildren).

    The game would benefit from a faster movement speed. There is far too much backtracking both in this game and inherent in this genre of games, for the speed your character moves at. There's often dialogue when you make these treks the first time, so they don't seem so tedious. However, when you get later in the game and you have to start wandering around to figure out what you're supposed to do (again, inherent in the genre), there's no dialogue. You march in slow, tedious, silence. This by no means ruins the game, but the amount of time it takes to get around is definitely a problem.

    The game also takes a depressingly long time to load. Between that and the movement, a lot of a playthrough is spent waiting, either to load, to walk, etc. And for a game that's only 4 hours long, that's really... not great.

    If it were a $5 game, none of this would really bother me, but the regular price is $20. I don't think this game is worth $20 in the current video game market, lots of stuff at a similar price offers LOADS more content.

    I realize this is mostly critiques, however the game is still good, and I would recommend it, but only below half price.    … Expand
  10. B-Bog
    Apr 10, 2023
    5
    Calling this an adventure game is a really big overstatement because that implies using your brain to solve puzzles. The only "puzzle-solving" you'll be doing in Oxenfree is fiddling with a radio knob to sweep frequencies until you find the one that lets you progress, or maybe the trial-and-error of playing the game multiple times to get to see the different endings (although theCalling this an adventure game is a really big overstatement because that implies using your brain to solve puzzles. The only "puzzle-solving" you'll be doing in Oxenfree is fiddling with a radio knob to sweep frequencies until you find the one that lets you progress, or maybe the trial-and-error of playing the game multiple times to get to see the different endings (although the difference between them isn't really that profound). This is really more of a visual novel than anything else and the narrative is definitely its main attraction. It's a little spooky but I wasn't really scared, maybe because of the style of presentation that makes it hard to really relate to the characters, which another review already mentioned. And, yeah, I also have to agree with the other points, traversing the map is extremely tedious and boring, and the load times are really terrible. A game with such simple graphics shouldn't have 20 second load times between each area, especially not if it's trying to build a dense and creepy atmosphere, since there are few things as immersion-breaking as a loading screen to remind you that you're actually in the safety of your home, on the couch, just playing a video game.

    I would've also thought that your choices and actions mattered a bit more in terms of the ending you get, but it mostly just influences the relationships between characters and a bit of flavour text at the end. I guess if you're into that sort of thing, there's quite a lot of replay value, but I'm not going to go through a 5-hour-long visual novel that I already know the story of all over again just to see a slightly different ending. What I also don't like is a flaw that unfortunately many games have, which is that you can miss out on dialogue because it simply cuts off when you walk past a certain point or you click on an object.

    So, yeah, I'd say this is worth a play-through if you're into visual novels, just don't expect too much from it, and maybe get it on another platform that has shorter load times.    … Expand
  11. Honest-Yan
    Jul 29, 2018
    5
    Small and 3D characters on a 2D background. The models and art style is very basic but can be quite effective. It has a look and a style which is quite good in places. This game is probably more suited to a smartphone than a console, it would compare more favourably to games like angry birds than Zelda. The entire game consists of walking from point A to point B with no combat and a fewSmall and 3D characters on a 2D background. The models and art style is very basic but can be quite effective. It has a look and a style which is quite good in places. This game is probably more suited to a smartphone than a console, it would compare more favourably to games like angry birds than Zelda. The entire game consists of walking from point A to point B with no combat and a few very simple 'puzzles' that are not very puzzling. The map is quite hard to follow. This game is full of dialogue, which isn't bad but isn't as good as the self indulgent author thinks it is. You have to listen to it because later in the game one of the 'puzzles' is to remember details of what was said. There is this spot where I couldn't understand the dialogue and then I was given 10 seconds to respond. When the countdown ended I received a penalty. This part of the game is broken. Unfortunately walking and listening to voice actors takes up 90% of the game. The loading times are unacceptable, considering the levels consist of 2D environments (a picture) and simple low-poly models. I'm not saying this is a bad game, it's just a bit flawed and basic. I recommend you-tubing the first 5 minutes. If you enjoy the narrative and art style, then you'll probably like this game.… Expand
  12. LS2019
    Mar 20, 2019
    6
    The best parts of this game are the graphics and the voice acting. Otherwise, the game has very simple mechanics, a slightly interesting but somewhat confusing story, and plays a little slow. I just wish there had been more to do within the game. I also wish there was a better way of playing without the sound on but the subtitles alongside the game mechanics were difficult to follow. IfThe best parts of this game are the graphics and the voice acting. Otherwise, the game has very simple mechanics, a slightly interesting but somewhat confusing story, and plays a little slow. I just wish there had been more to do within the game. I also wish there was a better way of playing without the sound on but the subtitles alongside the game mechanics were difficult to follow. If you are looking for a slightly spooky game that plays more like reading a book then Oxenfree is a good choice for you.… Expand
  13. KetchumAlmond
    Oct 28, 2019
    6
    the good: The backdrops are beautiful, the artwork is gorgeous, cool creepy island atmosphere, the music sets the scene perfectly, and the glitchy graphic effect is used very nicely in the scary parts. There were moments that gave me goosebumps as far as eerieness. I'm glad I played this around Halloween.

    the bad: Loading times are ridiculously LONG! To the point where I wasn't sure if    the good: The backdrops are beautiful, the artwork is gorgeous, cool creepy island atmosphere, the music sets the scene perfectly, and the glitchy graphic effect is used very nicely in the scary parts. There were moments that gave me goosebumps as far as eerieness. I'm glad I played this around Halloween.

    the bad: Loading times are ridiculously LONG! To the point where I wasn't sure if I should have been pressing buttons to proceed to the next screen. And there's a LOT of loading in this game. Made me lose interest very quickly. Also, the constant dialogue got really annoying after the first couple of hours, and for someone who doesn't like to interrupt people in conversation, I feel like that was encouraged in this game, when in real life, I wouldn't have felt a need to respond to certain comments. I was happy to enjoy the non-speaking parts when they finally came.

    I give it a 6 out of 10, it's a cool spooky experience, but after the first hour or so, I just wanted to get through it quickly because of the slow pacing of everything.    … Expand
  14. Kacek1996
    May 22, 2021
    7
    So, after I saw the trailer for the Oxenfree 2 I thought that it is the time to play Oxenfree. I went in deep. I played it twice for a better understanding and I have to say that it's a great LINEAR game. You have options to pick while talking with other characters and wrong choices might reach a worse ending, but all in all I couldn't get rid of Jonas. For me he was really annoying, evenSo, after I saw the trailer for the Oxenfree 2 I thought that it is the time to play Oxenfree. I went in deep. I played it twice for a better understanding and I have to say that it's a great LINEAR game. You have options to pick while talking with other characters and wrong choices might reach a worse ending, but all in all I couldn't get rid of Jonas. For me he was really annoying, even more than Clarissa. It might be the fact that he is nearly everywhere, when I had the opportunity I always ditched him for Nona (I liked her and Alex). I adore the radio waves mechanic, it's new and simple I would prefer a few more radio stations but all in all it's a cool one session game, which gave me some goosebumps (that was new for me). I cannot wait for the sequel!… Expand
  15. tk_248
    Jul 19, 2022
    6
    қатты ұнамады. вау сәттері бар бірақ. ойынның жалпы хайпымен келіспеймін!
  16. rebster
    Dec 21, 2021
    7
    I got this game for €0.99 and I think for that price anyone should try it out.

    The game is different to anything I've ever played; it's creepy and the story is interesting. It has Stranger Things vibes and also "The Other Mother" from Coraline level of creepy vibes. The game is replayable because there are different endings depending on what you choose. The characters form opinions on    I got this game for €0.99 and I think for that price anyone should try it out.

    The game is different to anything I've ever played; it's creepy and the story is interesting. It has Stranger Things vibes and also "The Other Mother" from Coraline level of creepy vibes. The game is replayable because there are different endings depending on what you choose. The characters form opinions on you depending on what you say to them. The visuals are great and the voice acting is too, kind of like a movie within a game.

    My only complaints are that the music is a bit obnoxious sometimes and way too loud compared with the speech of the characters so I had to turn on the subtitles eventually, and the loading screens are really long. Throughout the game you use a radio to tune into different frequencies to unlock doors and other things, and this can be a bit repetitive.    … Expand
  17. vicferd
    Jan 30, 2022
    7
    Oxenfree is an interesting adventure with very good technical values. The graphics, music and voice acting are very convincing and draw you into an interesting story. Unfortunately we have some ups and downs in exploration that make the experience unnecessarily long. You'll be able to beat it in about four hours, but it'll give you a lot more if you want to get the extra endings or ifOxenfree is an interesting adventure with very good technical values. The graphics, music and voice acting are very convincing and draw you into an interesting story. Unfortunately we have some ups and downs in exploration that make the experience unnecessarily long. You'll be able to beat it in about four hours, but it'll give you a lot more if you want to get the extra endings or if you're interested in discovering some special sequences.… Expand
  18. AnnaLynxy33
    Jun 27, 2022
    6
    I think this game just didn't work for me - characters are moving very slow, they talk all the time. Yes, dialogs are written great and all the characters have individuality, but still - I can't focus on a game when I need 1. Move 2. Listen all the dialogs 3. Read my options to answer (there is a timer) 4. Choose the right one. I know, that in that flow everything should go smooth like aI think this game just didn't work for me - characters are moving very slow, they talk all the time. Yes, dialogs are written great and all the characters have individuality, but still - I can't focus on a game when I need 1. Move 2. Listen all the dialogs 3. Read my options to answer (there is a timer) 4. Choose the right one. I know, that in that flow everything should go smooth like a real talk, but I was annoyed by that. The main plot is great if you will go dipper, but I didn't read all the letters and for me it was just OK. Idk, I just wasn't super excited playing that game… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Universo Nintendo
    May 19, 2018
    85
    Oxenfree is a good game. With amazing history, music and dubbing, anyone who likes the "walking simulator" genre will enjoy the game.
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  2. FNintendo
    Nov 13, 2017
    80
    Thanks to its remarkable character development, well written dialogue and overall quality of the plot, Oxenfree is certain to strike a chord with fans of story-driven games, even if its length is rather short but that ends up being minimal when faced with the game's surprising developments.
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  3. 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.
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