Oxenfree II: Lost Signals Reviews
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals offers a highly personal and unpredictable horror-themed adventure that repeats a lot of the first game’s ideas, and it's still worth tuning into.
Wander and chat through a night of spooky possibilities.
Oxenfree 2 is a more mature second run at the walk-and-talk formula.
"The upside of treading old ground is that the Oxenfree 2 story gets to link back to the original in some fun ways"
This slightly spooky sequel continues its tale of real people in strange situations, picking up the story and characters of Oxenfree and retaining its style and puzzle-adjacent gameplay.
Oxenfree II doesn’t shake up what its predecessor did in 2016, but it delivers more of the excellent writing and charm I expect from Night School Studio. While it's light on gameplay beyond traversal, it’s done in service of the characters. After 10 hours with this cast, I want more, but I’m happy with where this story ends and how my choices shaped that ending. Despite bad checkpointing and a swift rush to the end after an overly long setup, this return feels earned and essential, with a message that resonates far more than Oxenfree's. With Oxenfree II behind me, I’m thrilled Night School Studio delivered something special more than seven years away from this world.
In the end, I loved the idea of Oxenfree 2 more than the game itself. It’s a game that has the right pieces, but falls short of putting them together in a way that lives up to the innovative, classic experience of the original game. A more compelling story is frustratingly hidden within the game’s branching narrative system, and it’s a shame that some people will miss it.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals stumbles with a few of its characters but ultimately proves to be just as wonderfully creepy of an adventure as the first game.
Night School's spooky sequel tenderly captures the ambiguity of early adulthood
It might not be the out-of-left-field surprise it was then, but Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is a solid adventure for those who can’t get enough of strange frequencies and existential dread.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals keep everything that made the first one so especial, adding more freedom of exploration and changing the teenagers for adults tired of life.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
There are so many expectations to live up to after delivering the first Oxenfree, but Oxenfree II charts its own course, delivering something unlike Night School Studio's previous games. It has sharper horror, more inventive storytelling, and a variety of systems to keep you engaged through hours of slow and somber small-town exploration.
Night School's writing can't be praised enough, because the team is able to be whatever it needs to be in the moment. It can be a supernatural thriller when the time calls for it. It can be a coming-of-age tale when the moment is right. It can go from buddy comedy to buddy drama in an instant. All of it works, and it's a credit to the writers and the voice actors. Oxenfree 2's story will put players through the emotional wringer, but it's a ride that's worth taking.
If you are looking for a different adventure game and want to spend a couple of entertaining afternoons in the long summer heat, Oxenfree II is a great proposal that deserves to be appreciated as the great offer it is.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Oxenfree II does everything you would expect from a sequel and even manages to squeeze in a couple of surprises, but don't expect anything revolutionary from it.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's not often a game keeps its claws in after the credits roll, but Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals will stay with me for much longer than just another playthrough.
Well-written characters and a tense atmosphere set the right tone, but the signals of this Oxenfree sequel feel garbled compared to the original.
Despite some stumbles, there's still much to recommend playing and finishing Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals. Fans of the first game will get a little more out of it, but new players will catch up easily. Though it wraps up a little too cleanly and some bothersome traversal gets in the way, it tells a well-written, relatable story that's worth experiencing.
Despite being held back by neglected gameplay elements and an overeager narrative, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals still offers an enjoyable experience.