Oxenfree

 Xbox One
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. The Daily Dot
    Jan 20, 2016
    70
    Oxenfree sometimes feels like a walking, talking concept pitch, a vehicle for a compelling plot that needs a larger venue.
  2. Pure Xbox
    Jan 18, 2016
    70
    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.
  3. Slant Magazine
    Jan 18, 2016
    70
    Players will remain invested in a story that, if not entirely original, remains exciting and poignant in equal measure.
  5. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jan 15, 2016
    70
    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.
  6. IBTimes UK
    Apr 2, 2016
    60
    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.
  7. Edge Magazine
    Mar 7, 2016
    60
    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]
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Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
56
#56 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 79
  3. Negative: 9 out of 79
  1. metadubrev2
    Jan 26, 2016
    5
    not so much it's a bad game just a bad value. and not really a game. a graphic novel you watch and passively walk through not solvingnot so much it's a bad game just a bad value. and not really a game. a graphic novel you watch and passively walk through not solving puzzles, not shooting up anything just watching the story unfold as you walk through a platformer. ok there were some nice tense moments but few and far between with hours of just walking listening to inane dialogue. no replay value. i'd pay $2 maybe $5 dollars in retrospect. my game froze quite often forcing re-starts and once a companion character froze preventing me from completing the quest and forcing a re-start.… Full Review »
  2. GreenMachineG
    Jan 25, 2016
    9
    Oxenfree is one of those games that takes everything I want in a video game and rolls it into a perfect experience. This is one of theOxenfree is one of those games that takes everything I want in a video game and rolls it into a perfect experience. This is one of the greatest experiences I have ever had in a video game, and I am so happy I was able to play it. Oxenfree is the story of Alex, a young girl with a darker past, who goes to Edwards Island to celebrate her junior year of high school with a group of friends. Events occur and the adventure that follows is something like I have never been able to take part in. No wonder the creators of The Walking Dead already have the film rights to this game locked up as of a few days ago! A lot of people are calling it a mix of the TV shows Freaks and Geeks and Lost, and I would agree with that very much so, with maybe a little bit of the movies Groundhog Day and Interstellar thrown in! So amazing!

    The art style is beautiful, and very pleasing to the eye. It almost looks like clay-mation, but everything is just drawn so smoothly. Love the look of the game, and the use of color and shadow is really emphasized throughout; very well done!

    The main feature of the game is so cool and unique. You use your radio to do various things, and I love how the tuning slide looks against the background. It doesn't look intrusive or out of place at all! Very unique puzzle cracker, love it!

    The dialogue is to die for. It definitely took me back to high school banter, and had me cracking up over and over again. The game is extremely well written, with perfect pacing, dialogue, and one of the best video game stories of all time!

    My only issue is I encountered a couple of bugs that were a real bummer. Three times while playing I had a bug stop progression of the game, and I would have to go back to the main menu and start the segment I was in the middle of over again. I did, however, notice that this usually only occurred when I was rushing things along and didn't let the other characters get to where they needed to be before I started clicking away. So I only slightly blame the designers for that, and even with the bugs the game was totally worth going through the restarts for.

    This is a game people have to play, I cannot urge that enough.

    9.5/10    … Full Review »
  3. ll-ll-ll
    Jan 19, 2016
    10
    OK, this is going to sound weird, but I really bonded with this game--in the same way that I bonded with Chrono Trigger when I was a kid. It'sOK, this is going to sound weird, but I really bonded with this game--in the same way that I bonded with Chrono Trigger when I was a kid. It's just on a whole other level & I think everyone should experience it.… Full Review »
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