i am now free of the oxen

Oxenfree always seemed like a weird game based on what I’ve seen. I’ve played it purely for the 90% off sale on Steam and the fact that it’s a highly regarded game. So the gameplay can basically be boiled down to: go from point A to B, use your radio device to open doors or advance the plot, walk 90% of the time while you’re hearing conversations, make choices based on those conversations, see different outcomes/endings and find a few collectibles along the way. That’s really all there is to it, it’s simple but it’s well presented. The voice actors did a great job, the game has a good visual style and you can get some wildly different outcomes with the dialogues. I played it completely blind the first time and I was a total prick the second time to the point that everyone hated me. It was hilarious!

I highly disliked some of the achievements though. They’re not difficult but they’re incredibly tedious. You need to complete a run where everyone hates you and I felt like I did a good job but the game doesn’t agree, so I had to do another run to get it right. I’ve also tried to get certain characters to date twice and I failed both times because of one or two things I might have not chosen in the conversations. You guessed it, that means you can start a new run. Then there is the achievement where you have to complete the entire game without picking a single dialogue choice. OMG! What is the point of this aside from forcing you to play another run specifically for this and nothing else?! I don’t mind completing the game twice or so, but maybe be less strict about the requirements so you don’t ruin the fun of choices and consequences? Even though it was over 12 hours total, it’s a horrible feeling when you feel your time is being wasted.

With all that said, it’s still a good game to lovers of mysterious stories and different outcomes. When it comes to completionist players, you might want to keep a guide nearby at all times. It’s a shame since it’s all about making your own choices, especially the first time. The normal price of €10 isn’t outrageous but I’m not sure I consider it worth it. €5 or less is better safe than sorry.

When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not. But soon, I shall be so I cannot remember any... but the things that never happened.