OXENFREE is a refreshing change of pace from many of the releases on the market. Character- and story-driven, it's virtually impossible not to be immersed in the game. Part of that is the story itself, which concerns a group of five teenagers experiencing a "bash on the beach" on a deserted(?) island. Part of it is a unique mechanic that Night School has introduced. The end result is an one of those rare experiences that lingers well after it's over.
Alex is a teenaged girl in the middle of family turmoil. Her parents have divorced, and her new step-brother, Jonas, goes with her to the island to meet Ren, Nona and Clarissa for what should be a relaxing evening. All that goes to pot (rather literally) when Ren suggests exploring the island's caves while tuning a portable radio to certain frequencies. The results are...unexpected. (But don't expect me to tell you why.)
Over the course of the game, Alex and Jonas travel around the island trying to find a way back to shore. However, something isn't right, and getting home might be a bit more difficult than simply waiting for the morning ferry. As they travel the island, various clues appear, shedding light on the situation in which they've found themselves.
The game is rather simple. Your map provides directions as to your next destination. You're not sent on mere scavenger hunts; there's a purpose for you to visit the various parts of the island. The puzzles that you must sometimes solve to advance aren't terribly difficult, and Night School hasn't placed obstacles in your path for no reason. Each puzzle draws you deeper into the mystery. When you're stuck, your radio will usually provide a clue about your next step. You don't need a walkthrough to play the game (except for certain achievements), and I highly recommend playing your first run without one.
Speaking of replaying the game, you will definitely need to play the game three times in order to earn the full 1k. That being said, Night School has added another level to the mystery; your second playthrough will be quite different from the first in ways that you won't expect. That keeps the experience fresh, and I enjoyed my second play as much as the first. (Yes, really!)
As expected, there are collectibles strewn around the island, but each of these actually serves a purpose by providing insight into the cause of the mystery on the island. Later in the game, a second type of collectible will become available. Rather than make you hunt and peck for them, though, your radio will provide clear clues about how to find them. These collectibles may or may not even affect the outcome of the story, depending on your decisions.
Without giving anything away, I'll admit that I admire the way that Night School has developed the game not only for multiple plays, but also to grab the player in front of the television (that's you) and draw you in. I wish I could tell you how--I really do--but I won't spoil what is quite an ingenious mechanic. Some of the elements are subtle, but a couple are quite startling. Alex is in for quite the adventure tonight, and so are you.
The game is beautiful as well. In many ways it resembles a watercolor painting that you're traveling through. The sound is also essential to the game. I often play with the sound off for many games, but OXENFREE demands that you listen to the game, the radio, the other characters. The voice acting is absolutely top notch. You have a clear idea how the characters are reacting to the situation. The characters actually feel real, not cookie-cutter types that all too often populate such games. The combination of the visuals, voices and music create an atmosphere that will leave an indelible impression well after you set the game aside.
In addition, Night School has done a fantastic job in using the achievement list to coerce you to do things that you might not otherwise do. You have to play nice in one run, and you have to be flat-out mean in another. The characters react appropriately, and I actually felt guilty forcing them to hate me. By the end, I truly felt alone. In one final playthrough, you can't say anything. This actually allows the voice actors to shine. You are forced to listen to their entire dialogue (which can be quite entertaining) in order to advance. No shortcuts here...but you'll likely be so absorbed by the experience that it won't feel onerous.
Finally, at the end, the hook brings you back in. Even if Night School let you 1k the game in one run, you won't be satisfied until you go again. There are so many details that you'll wonder what if you'd done something different. That's another facet of the game that I really admired. Whereas Telltale revolutionized the point-and-click story genre through The Walking Dead, Night School has taken a page from Dontnod's Life Is Strange, creating an authentic, organic world where your actions actually do have consequences, and they will linger.
In conclusion, I wasn't sure what to make of OXENFREE when I began, but it didn't take long before I simply couldn't put it down, and I was ready to start play #2 immediately. Trust me when I say that this is an experience you should not miss. Give in to this, and you will absolutely be rewarded. I hope that Night School builds on this, because I can't wait to see what they create next.
5.0