Playing on mobile, my main mission was simple: stop those troublesome teens. Oxenfree has always been a standout for me. The game masterfully combines authentic, witty dialogue with a spine-chilling story that feels like you’re listening to a creepy podcast. It sucked me right into its eerie world, filled with strange radio signals, ghostly spirits, and warped time and space, all seen through the eyes of sharp-tongued teens squeezing in one last hurrah before college. It was easy to recommend to everyone.
Fast forward to 2023, and a sequel emerged. Surprisingly, I avoided it. I feared it couldn’t replicate the magic of the original—a moment that had been perfect. Plus, Night School’s game in between, Afterparty from 2019, just didn’t hit the mark for me. But I finally let go of my hesitation. With a strong urge to dive into a narrative-rich experience during a short holiday getaway—and armed only with my Android tablet—I recalled that Oxenfree II was available through a Netflix subscription. And guess what? It’s fantastic! It’s truly fantastic! Although it stumbles a bit more than the first game, with certain parts not completely adding up (likely due to some choices I made. Seriously, radios don’t operate like that!), the bizarre tension between the main characters and teenager Olivia felt off. Nonetheless, the game shines with exceptional voice acting and a storyline that’s captivating, even if it stretches believability. I’m nearing the conclusion now and eagerly anticipating how it all ties together. — John Walker
