Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals | Review

Initial Release Date: 2023

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Mac operating systems

Developer: Night School Studio

Publishers: Netflix, MWM Interactive

Genres: Adventure, Indie Game

Mode: Single-player

Series: Oxenfree

SPOILERS THROUGHOUT!

Introduction

My foray with Oxenfree started with, well, Oxenfree. I’m not the biggest Indie gamer out here but thought that game was good enough to warrant a purchase for it’s sequel Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals which does mostly what the first game did. Just a little better.

Presentation

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a 2D walking talking simulator with puzzle mechanics and fleshed out dialogue choices. As for Oxenfree 2’s technical presentation for some reason I experienced more than enough stutters and frame drops. The latter dumbfounded me as I played this game on my Playstation 5.

Asides from the technical issues I thought Oxenfree 2: Lost Signal’s overall presentation was quite solid from Night School Studio in regards to story, visuals and especially it’s sound design which was better than the first game in my opinion.

Story

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals centers around Riley Poverly who returns home to work a environmental research job involving sticking transmitters into specific locations in Oregon for science. Along with Jacob Summers, fellow co-worker who went to highschool with Riley stumble upon a supernatural portal filled with ghosts from a doomed submarine of decades past.

Along the way the duo must stop a group of cultist kids lead by Olivia from entering the portal. Oxenfree 2: Lost Signal’s story reminds me of some Cthulhu mixed with Stranger Things.

What I enjoyed most about the protagonist Riley and her job partner Jacob was the fact they are both over 30 years old. Me being older Riley and Jacob’s dialogue resonated with me unlike the highschool/college kids from the first Oxenfree.

Gameplay

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is an Indie chill game. No stress which I enjoyed. Gameplay centers around exploring Camena Coast with Jacob. You do plenty of walking. However, with the way the dialogue choice sequences always pop up it makes walking less tedious.

The main goal of Oxenfree 2 is to plant four Transmitters across the map. You run into NPCs along the way with dialogue trees. Riley’s radio and walkie talkie are important gameplay mechanics that allow you to chat with NPCs and solve many puzzles in the game world.

Graphics/Visuals

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals visuals remind me of a moving comic book water painting if that makes sense. This game deploys a really solid art design and an animation system when engaged in dialogue sequences. It’s a good-looking Indie game in my opinion.

Sound/Music

Sound and voiced dialogue are probably Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals’ greatest attribute. I really enjoyed all voiced performances and written dialogue sequences. The tone is pure dred with occasional humor. Music reminds me 1980’s synth-wave stuff. Think Stranger Things for you younger people.

Final Verdict

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a good Indie game. You have a four hour campaign which can be stretched considering you have side quests and so many dialogue sequences to explore. I would say I enjoyed Oxenfree 2 a little more than it’s predecessor. Thanks for reading – Jason