Oxenfree

Oxenfree is whole heartedly one of the best experiences you can have playing games. It is a cornerstone example of how stories can be told in an interactive media, and how to build a supernatural tone around 'average' characters without exaggerating everything.

Gorgeous, gripping, and well-paced, Oxenfree cuts a new path for adventure games, and is an excellent debut from Night School Studio.

Oxenfree is a smart, emotional adventure that feels focused and purposeful. It’s got plenty of narrative twists that lead to great “a-ha” moments, but keeps the story well-grounded in its compelling protagonists and clever gameplay moments. Oxenfree is simply well-made, endearing, and very memorable.

The world is bewildering, the mysteries are thrilling, and the characters are so well-realized it's hard not to fall deep into Oxenfree's embrace.

A fascinating and mysterious adventure with a great teen thriller plot, charming characters and outstanding visuals and sound design. The whole story captivates the player flowing quickly, to the point that its ending arrives even too soon; a couple more gameplay hours wouldn't have hurt.

With an enthralling mystery to solve while trying to survive a supernatural event, Oxenfree challenges you to solve a mystery, care about the characters, and make you want to play through the story again and again.

This is not a game for all, but if you like well structured dialogues, slow rhythm and contemplative moments, Oxenfree has a good story to tell you, and you really should listen.

This atmospheric unique gem of a game could’ve done with a bit less talking but you should definitely check it out if games like Gone Home and Life is Strange tickle your fancy. [jan. 2016 / page 065]

Oxenfree has its flaws, but the story will keep you engaged until the very end and the charismatic cast of characters, coupled with the visually stunning environments, makes this adventure worth playing.

It may have a lot more dialogue than puzzles, but it is so well written that you miss it in the silent moments. The interesting story is backed up by likeable characters, and the whole thing is wrapped up with a presentation that bleeds style.

What resonates most is that feeling of something that has passed by. Whether that’s one’s own nostalgia or solely heroine Alex, OxenFree won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Night School Studio’s debut release is spooky, touching, and beautiful, and an adventure absolutely worth experiencing.

Some of the most natural dialogue ever designed for a video game - in terms of quality and interaction - helps to make a superior supernatural thriller.

With its engaging story, its excellent voice-acting and enthralling dialogue, Oxenfree is a game to remember, marred only by its constant crashes, which is less than ideal.

Oxenfree is a haunting, emotionally-charged mystery that spreads its shocks a little too thinly, but still manages to deliver an engaging, memorable experience.

A flawed gem, which deserves to be experienced but also needs some work – at least on Xbox One. If you’re looking for something unique to spend a night with, it’s a great choice, so long as you’re willing to overlook some of its flaws, or wait for them to be fixed.

It's simple if judged purely on gameplay mechanics but wonderfully accomplished in terms of storytelling, characters and dialogue. If you fancy a supernatural adventure mystery with a smart plot and clever ideas, don't ignore this.

Look past lame puzzles and short run time, and you'll find five great characters to chat to. [March 2016, p.71]

As much as I loved parts of the overall experience, others let me down. Even so, I enjoyed learning about these characters and seeing them grow through my actions.

No, it feels, as I said, like Oxenfree’s writers had written themselves into a corner, and figured a mostly unexplained offscreen resolution was the only way to get out of it. If you’re able to overlook that and focus on the first 95% or so that’s highly satisfying, you should still go for it, since the journey up to that point is extremely well-done, but if you want any sort of closure, be aware before you go into it that this game’s ending is going to drive you nuts.

It's short and has some issues, but the story told and how it's told make it a very interesting and unique experience. One of those games that makes you wonder where the studio will go next.

Oxenfree sometimes feels like a walking, talking concept pitch, a vehicle for a compelling plot that needs a larger venue.

Oxenfree is truly unlike any other experience that you can pick up for the Xbox One right now. While it isn't heavy on gameplay, the narrative and aesthetics really build a superb atmosphere and give a great sense of weight to proceedings. It doesn't necessarily score a direct hit with every story beat and we could definitely live without the crashes.

Players will remain invested in a story that, if not entirely original, remains exciting and poignant in equal measure.

Oxenfree's easy to like, with its inspired dialogue system feeling like a step forward for this genre. It's the lack of challenge and compelling gameplay that leaves it a few steps behind.

In Oxenfree, Night School Studios has used simple mechanics to great effect establishing and building on its small cast of characters, and keeping players engaged with its creepy tale of paranormal dread. It's a shame then that it doesn't quite stick the landing, seeming to rush to its conclusion without offering a sufficient pay-off. A small number of minor (dialogue for the wrong character playing) and major (two complete crashes) glitches also hold it back. It's undoubtedly a stylish and unique game however, that we hope does its part to usher in a wave of games that take a similar approach to storytelling.

Its pacing is hindered by slow movement speed, and nuance is lost as the incidents increase in frequency and topics of conversation shift from the social to the situational. [March 2016, p.120]