Oxenfree

Final WeaponSaras Rajpal

Oxenfree II is a brilliant side-scrolling horror game. It manages to be horrifying, heartfelt, and exciting all at the same time. For fans of the retro horror genre and anyone wanting to see what indie horror looks like, Oxenfree II is the perfect game for you.

KeenGamerAvraham Behar

9.5/10

Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller, mystery game about a group of friends who, while attempting to have a fun night out before their senior year of high school, end up experiencing what will slowly become the worst night of their lives. You play as Alex; a teenage girl who brought her new step-brother along to an island beach party that turns into a living nightmare.

Nintendo LifeMike Diver

9/10

A genuinely creepy creation, Oxenfree combines a clever story and smart dialogue mechanics with superbly sinister music to leave a deep and lasting impression on the player, one that should encourage an all-important second playthrough. Fans of Stranger Things and Poltergeist will love the direction this game takes – if not to hell and back, exactly, then absolutely to some other place where horrors abound, just waiting for an invitation into our world. It’s yet another Switch essential.

Gaming NexusMatt Mirkovich

9/10

Oxenfree is everything that is right in the indie development scene. It tells a great story, has really unique gameplay that's almost completely dialog driven, and has some of the most subtle horror elements I've seen in a game. This is one of those games that you shouldn't sleep on, make sure you check it out.

MonsterVineSamantha Lienhard

Although I had trouble caring about the characters for their own sakes—even Alex was often more sarcastic than what I thought my dialogue selection meant—Oxenfree’s story is gripping and compelling. There are multiple ending variations you can get based on your choices, so it’s worth replaying, and the overall plot is worth the ride.

WellPlayedJames Laurie

8.7/10

Oxenfree is a unique character-driven game with a supernatural twist on teen angst.

GameGrinViolet Plata

8/10

Despite its slightly vague story and note-collecting-based narrative, I was completely smitten by Oxenfree, so it's an easy title to recommend, especially if you know a lot about World War 2.

Nintendo World ReportXander Morningstar

8/10

Oxenfree is fascinating. It’s best played in a relaxing spot, free of distraction, so the immersion can be best enjoyed. It’s short and different, but there is replay value. There’s not anything outside of what you can do with the story of the game, other then interact with the world itself. But it’s exciting to come back and see how choices can change the plot of the game. Not quite a Telltale-level game, but also not something to pass up. The beautiful visuals, characters, and choices are why I came back to it. And with that radio you just can’t “turn that down”.

Game SkinnyStephen Brown

8/10

Unique, with a strong cast of relatable characters, this is a supernatural mystery thriller with a compelling narrative and setting.

Playstation LifestyleTyler Treese

8/10

Every neighborhood has that one creepy abandoned house, or the recluse that lives in a huge building all to himself but hasn’t been seen in years. Stories get passed on about how these places are haunted (usually due to some terrible tragedy that occurred years prior), and stupid teenagers typically test their luck & attempt to find the truth of the situation. Typically nothing comes from this type of mischief, but what if the rumors were actually true?

GameSpewEd Thorn

8/10

Oxenfree executes what it set out to accomplish in a great way, providing a rather unique adventure game filled with interesting methods of interaction and some pretty shocking moments. You’ll feel a wide range of emotions, but above all you’ll be moved as it gradually dawns on you that the teenagers are simply struggling to let go of the inner demons that dwell on the inside.

Push SquareJacob Hull

7/10

Narrative is often overlooked in favour of the more natural forms of interactivity that are inherent to video games. But in the last few years, we've gotten a series of thoughtful and engaging titles that have really pushed the medium forward in this regard. Not only have they changed our perceptions of what constitutes a game, but they have also highlighted the narrative flaws of many beloved of the series of the past – no matter how good their gameplay. It's because of this that perhaps the term "walking simulator" is a tad disingenuous. And yes, Oxenfree certainly fits into this category if...