I’ve had my eye on this game ever since it was released on Switch. My only reason for not purchasing on release was a need to conserve funds, however upon seeing that it was sitting at 75% off in the eshop a few weeks ago I bought it immediately. I’m exceedingly glad I did. Having played Oxenfree I’d say this game is definitely worth it’s full price.

This game kept me simultaneously interested in the characters, their backstories, their futures, and the unfolding present. Oxenfree features a choice based response system to dialogue that flows easily. It probably more accurately reflects conversation because if you don’t answer relatively quickly the conversation just moves on with you having added nothing to it. There were times where I quickly clicked a response intending one thing but without thinking of the implications of it until my character had delivered the line and then I suddenly wanted to take it back. There were other times where I thought a second or so too long over a response only for my options to fade and be reduced to the silence I was standing in. Which is a choice on its own.

The conversation flows as you walk through the level, which makes for a realistic feeling. The whole way the game unfolds is really enjoyable and natural. The fact that you’re always free to move about and you aren’t forced into inactivity through cutscenes means you stay connected to what’s happening around you. Simple touches make this game so enchanting, like throwing stones into the sea while chatting to your friends, and the brutal casualness of just walking out of location cutting off your friends’ conversation.

Now this game is a thriller/horror. You’re drawn in by the intrigue of the characters and setting and then utterly gripped by the music and sound effects. I love horror as a genre. I’ve typically found horror games a bit too immersive, and by immersive, I mean terrifying. There’s something about actually playing as the character instead of just watching or reading about them that makes me extra cautious and I end up playing scary games really slowly and then taking month long breaks before I psych myself up to playing them again. So typically, I make slow progress. But Oxenfree was so different. I could just play it and enjoy it and when the tense moments happened I was gripped to bits but also I could still look at the screen and therefore continue to play the game. There’s something marvellous about stories that grip you and chill you without resorting to jump scares. It makes for a much more compelling experience.

Your choices throughout the game actually effect the outcome. I’ve played through it once, and intend to play through again. Stupid me actually thought I’d saved everyone, until my friend who’s also played it asked if I managed to save ‘so and so’. I didn’t even know saving so and so was an option and now I feel so bad about not managing it I really have to go back and do my hardest to save them. Look at me trying to censor spoilers in a review for once. I just really think if you haven’t played it you should and I don’t want to ruin it for you. Having said that I am including pictures that might hint at things. Oh but still. It’s so worth it.

This game is actually perfect on the Nintendo Switch. It’s travel size, but also magnificent on a big screen when it’s dark outside, with the lights off and the sound up. It works so well having the dialogue options assigned to three buttons that are close to each other and easy to select on one Joy-Con. I’ve played a bit of the Walking Dead games on PC and having to use the mouse or arrows to choose dialogue made it so much harder for me to click accurately on the option I actually wanted. The Switch is a god send.

Really play it, it’s magnificent.

Tier 1 complete.

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