Oxenfree Review: A Cozy, Spooky Adventure
An exploration game that feels cozy with a dash of spooky, a captivating narrative with eerie atmosphere that will keep you hooked
Available on: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Playstation
Genre: Graphic Adventure Game
Developer: Night School Studio
Publisher: Night School Studio
How Cozy? ⭐⭐ /5 It has a cozy feel, but there are jump scares!
Game Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
If you love cozy games with a hint of spooky, then Oxenfree is a must play. Developed by Night School Studio, this narrative driven adventure delivers a perfect balance of heartwarming moments and spookiness, all wrapped in a beautifully eerie setting. With interesting characters, compelling dialogue, and just the right amount of jump scares, Oxenfree proves that cozy gaming can have a touch of mystery and suspense.
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Story
Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller that focuses on a group of friends having an overnight party on an old military island. You play as Alex, a teenage girl who’s just reconnected with her stepbrother Jonas. However, things take a strange turn when they discover an abandoned radio and accidentally open a gateway to a parallel dimension. As you guide Alex through the story, you'll encounter unsettling supernatural events and uncover the dark secrets of the island. The blend of personal relationships, ghostly occurrences, and hidden mysteries creates a captivating narrative that pulls you in and keeps you guessing.
Gameplay
Oxenfree revolves around exploration and choice driven dialogue, where you guide Alex and her friends through the eerie island and its surroundings. The mechanics are simple but effective, walking around, solving puzzles, and interacting with objects or characters to advance the story. The dialogue system is a standout feature, with real time conversations that allow players to choose how Alex responds, affecting the relationship dynamics between characters and the unfolding story.
The game’s pacing is slow, but it’s perfect for soaking in the atmosphere and letting the tension build. The occasional jump scares are well timed, and the paranormal elements keep you on your toes without overwhelming you with constant fear. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and their dynamics with each other as the game progressed.
Graphics and Visuals
One of the standout features of Oxenfree is its art direction. The game uses a hand drawn, 2D style with a colorful yet muted palette that gives it a dreamlike quality. The island’s landscapes are gorgeous yet haunting, with the dark, foggy atmosphere and eerie lighting contributing to the game’s spooky vibe. The character designs are simplistic but charming, and the subtle use of visual effects, like flickering lights and shifting shadows, enhances the supernatural elements of the game. It’s cozy in its own way, but the occasional strange visual effect will keep you on edge.
Longevity
Oxenfree isn’t a long game, with an average playtime of around 4-6 hours, but it packs a lot of emotional depth and intrigue into that timeframe. The game’s branching dialogue choices encourage multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes, making it more replayable than it first appears. Though not an expansive open world, the island feels rich with detail, offering just enough to keep you engaged without dragging on too long.
Conclusion
Oxenfree is a spooky yet cozy adventure that delivers a deeply engaging story with intriguing characters and just the right amount of eerie tension. It’s a must play for anyone who loves narrative-driven games with a touch of the supernatural. The game masterfully blends moments of warmth with unsettling paranormal occurrences, making it a unique experience in the world of cozy gaming. Whether you're in it for the story, the atmosphere, or the occasional jump scare, Oxenfree offers a perfect mix that’s bound to keep you hooked from start to finish and I couldn’t recommend more highly.
