This spooky side-scroller will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!
(Supplied)
OXENFREE II: Lost Signals is the highly anticipated sequel to the original OXENFREE, which was released in 2016. It may be a sequel, but it easily holds up on its own.
In OXENFREE II: Lost Signals, you play as Riley Poverly, a former local to the town of Camena, who has returned to take up a job as an environmental researcher and investigate spooky radio signals.
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Using your walkie-talkie you quickly make contact with Evelyn, who essentially runs the show, and points you in the direction of where to go and what to do next. At a dark Camena bus stop, we use our walkie-talkie to gain info on meeting our partner in crime; Jacob Summers.
That’s when the mystery really starts to heat up.
(Supplied)
Story and World
Advancing through the game, players not only explore the vast landscape of Camena and its surrounds but come across a few shifty characters. These character interactions lead to more questions than answers most of the time and kept me on my toes wondering what was really going on.
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OXENFREE II: Lost Signals offers a shift in reality that has you questioning what’s real and what’s happening inside Riley’s head. I felt determined to play on and figure out what the heck was going on in this ghost town.
(Netflix)
Gameplay and Graphics
I found the side-scrolling nature of the game refreshing, as most games I tend to play are from a third-person point of view. It took me a minute to adjust to not having the protagonist right up in the camera but rather almost part of the stunning landscapes throughout the game.
Gameplay mechanics are minimal – with dialogue choices at the forefront. It’s basic, but it allows players to choose how they want the story to go and opens the door to a number of outcomes.
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The choices aren’t quite on the same deadly level as The Quarry for example, but allow for each player to have a different gameplay experience, potentially garnering new relationships with characters along the way.
(Netflix)
You can also use tools and items in the game, such as the walkie-talkie and the radio, which are a fun addition because again, it can adjust gameplay with your choices of who to interact with and what to do with the messages received. When the pressure is on and you have to make a snap decision, it can really test your moral compass.
The art style of OXENFREE II: Lost Signals is very quaint and offers a homey feel with its warm colour palette matched with the eerie empty tone of the town.
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Music and Voice Acting
The score is delicate and interacts with the scenes intricately, sometimes making me forget there is music playing at all. It can contribute to the more dark and freaky parts of the game, allowing a player to get immersed in the landscape right there with Riley and Jacob.
The voice acting is also well performed and the production is on point, with each character having high-quality, smooth-sounding vocals. Probably not an element every gamer cares about, but I personally enjoy when the score, vocals, and sound effects tie together to create a buttery auditory experience.
(Netflix)
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The game isn’t releasing on Xbox, but it’s set to come to everything else – including Netflix. Interestingly, Netflix acquired Night School Studio back in 2021. It’s one of the first major releases from Netflix this year and has proven to be a worthy investment from the streaming giants.
The creepy vibes of OXENFREE II: Lost Signals paired with smooth game mechanics and simple controls create a really enjoyable experience for gamers of all ages and skill levels.
Quest Daily scores Oxenfree II: Lost Signals:
8/10
Early access was provided to Quest Daily by the publisher.
