![]() ![]() I forgot where and when I first discovered about Oxenfree's origin, but soon after it was fell under the radar of games that I wanted to try out. It's a gameplay loop with serious flaws bolstering a story with tons of heart and many memorable moments but doesn't quite feel like it comes together in the end. It's a weird dichotomy, because it's a very youth-oriented ghost story that could totally appeal to players of a younger demographic, but the amount of running back and forth with no fast travel or sprint button or anything would probably bore them. These are all minor flaws I could overlook, but the game at the core is too long, too bland, and too uninteractive not to test the patience of many players. The soundtrack has its moments but is mostly annoying, and while the game certainly has its share of unnerving and emotional moments, it just doesn't hit as hard as it should despite its gripping concept and strong start. The characters are lovable and distinct, but betray their ages with an overly eloquent script and not nearly enough grit the fact these late teens don't swear once is a big tip-off the atmosphere is missing a little something. The ghost story at the heart of the teen drama is simple but has a decent pay-off for discovering its backstory, but too much of it still is simply doled out in plain dialogue. I enjoyed my time with Oxenfree, but any recommendation would come with some big asterisks. Even though I was waiting for an edgier finale and more gameplay elements, it works well as an interactive graphic novel. The supernatural elements are conveyed by graphic glitches, static noise, sudden hallucinations, and gameplay loops that disorient the player. The game goes for an overall 80s vintage art direction, with an eerie synthwave soundtrack and bidimensional watercolor-inspired drawings. The plot might not offer anything new, but its presentation was surprisingly mesmerizing. It was also interesting how even the dialogue options you haven't selected still teach you something about each character. Even though it never truly steps into horror territory, it definitely has its unsettling moments. ![]() ![]() I was honestly turned off by the dull teenage drama premise, but things start to get interesting after the game morphs into a supernatural thriller. The player is just asked to walk across areas, select dialogue options, and tune a radio to a certain frequency. Old-school graphic adventure without puzzles. ![]()
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