Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals Review – Familiar Yet Distant
Oxenfree was one of those fantastic indie games that players pointed at as one of the most influential with its scary scenes and great vibes around its main cast. However, it left a lot of questions open when it came to its more supernatural happenings. As such, I expected Oxenfree 2 - Lost Signals to answer many of these questions, and luckily, it did so while also adding more to the players' interpretation.
Much like the first game, this game will not only act as a vessel for some trippy horror sequences that often break the fourth wall but also act as a coming-of-age story for its protagonist as she interacts with the characters around her. All while players make an input on how she treats the past, present, and future.
Now, don't get the subtitle of the review wrong. This sequel will have its fair share of bits that will bring back familiar memories from the first Oxenfree. However, these elements are more so tools to flesh out the overall story in Oxenfree 2. So, let's start experiencing this journey back to the supernatural town and let the plot unfold.
Oxenfree 2 stars Riley Poverly, an average adult female currently back in her hometown after being down on her luck. As the plot unravels, we learn more about Riley's past and future as she interacts with multiple characters while the supernatural events of the game unfold in front of the player. She's majorly accompanied by another average adult known as Jonas, who has his fair share of moments and will majorly be supporting Riley as she goes through the motions.
The dialogue system makes a return in Oxenfree 2, with characters able to talk to one another in real time as the player moves along the game's vast landscapes. Should they get interrupted by a stray radio broadcast or a walkie-talkie conversation, they will pick up where they left off if they have a chance after that is done. Much like Alex in the last game, Riley can choose between 3 dialogue options to interact with other characters or remain silent at points.
As I mentioned before, you gain access to a walkie-talkie from the start of the game. This tool allows you to talk to a select number of characters should you need to learn more about them or the island of Camena. I found myself interacting with a lot of the characters on the walkie, so much so that I had to stop walking to the next objective to focus on what they had to say.
That said, I recommend you talk to the people next to you over the ones on the radio. Not only are characters like Jonas more interesting to talk to, but you will also find your fair share of situations where the supporting cast that's physically next to Riley will become more useful and help you through something. Of course, when the supernatural moments begin, you will be fully alone and left to your own devices, but in every other moment, it's always good to ally with everyone you meet.
And yes, for those curious about whether they can play the game without playing the first one. Oxenfree 2 can be played without experience with the first game. While you may miss specific references and some context surrounding the reappearing characters, you don't need to have the first game under your belt to understand what's happening in this sequel. Of course, it's still highly recommended to play the first Oxenfree to grasp the sequel's story entirely.
Honestly, if I were to describe the gameplay of Oxenfree 2, I would point to the first game. The puzzles are simple to solve for the most part, and the game is reduced to walking from one destination to another while sucking in those narrative beats and character dialogue. Oxenfree 2 is all about character interactions, and thus, you won't find much in terms of quick and precise action sequences.
This might be a bit of a turn-off for those players who want to have some minor platforming beats alongside the narrative, especially in a game about climbing mountains. My inner action gaming buff wished to boot up System Shock or Hi-Fi Rush because, at points, the character dialogue just wasn't interesting enough to keep me hooked, and I just wanted to go to the following creepy sequence. Perhaps it's my experience with games like Zero Escape talking. Still, I've heard these character interactions before and want to move on to Oxenfree 2's more surreal sequences instead of listening to its attempts at character exercises.
Riley is an environmental researcher tasked with investigating the mysterious radio frequency signals causing disturbances in electronic equipment throughout the town. This leads to the discovery of Time Tears that open up as she messes with a radio given to her by Jonas. Time Tears can be used to solve some of the game's puzzles while letting Riley interact with the past. While that sounds cool, it's limited to just a few sections and isn't happening as frequently as I'd hoped.
For better and for worse, the gameplay of Oxenfree 2 is centered around its dialogue and character interactions while everything else takes a backseat or becomes a minor appearance. Back when I wrote my preview, I was wowed with how the game used one of those Time Tears to solve a puzzle and, having played through the section in the full game, made me wish for more instead of having repeats of sequences I've seen before even in the last game.
Perhaps I'm expecting too much out of Oxenfree 2, but I still can't shake the feeling that I've seen this before in the last game. While its landmarks are notorious, it still feels like it returns to familiar ground just to appease players who fell in love with the characters and locales from the first game. Meanwhile, I'm left wishing for more puzzles and interesting usages of the Time Tears and unique horror-esque sequences.
Now, if you're one of those players wishing to see more of the same without anything spectacularly unique, you are going to find a lot of it in Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals. The character interactions are just amazing and the way the story unravels in front of you is also noteworthy. However, I feel like the game is putting too much into the dialogue system that it brings its other, more appealing mechanics to sit by in the background.
If you're going to play Oxenfree 2, I recommend you treat it as a visual novel with more involved mechanics that don't necessarily reduce to just clicking the "next" button. Unfortunately, I can't recommend the game to anyone seeking a new and thrilling adventure game. However, its unique paranormal sequences will fill those horror fans anxiously awaiting the Silent Hill 2 remake and other such horror games and experiences.
Reviewed on PC (code provided by the publisher).
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