Oxenfree II: Lost Signals Preview – Just A Taste

Oxenfree II: Misplaced Alerts appears like returning to a well-known place in an effective way. I’ve recognized in regards to the sequel for a few years – since Night time College Studio introduced it in 2021 – but it surely wasn’t till I went hands-on with it throughout Summer season Video games Fest that it dawned on me simply how lengthy it’s been since Oxenfree first got here out. 

In that seven-year hole, I instantly discover that Oxenfree II is much more lovely than its predecessor, an already fairly recreation due to its distinctive visible type. That aesthetic returns, but it surely pops much more on display. Nonetheless, Oxenfree II appears to be like glorious, and taking part in it feels as fluid as the primary. 

Oxenfree II feels extra mature. The primary recreation’s a few group of youngsters, and the story appears like a teenage summer season romp, which feels impressed by the vibes of issues like Netflix’s Stranger Issues collection. This sequel follows Riley, who’s in her 30s, and within the opening half-hour I performed, the story feels extra mature, whether or not that be the language she makes use of, the issues she’s coping with in life, and even the general tone. 

Riley has arrived on a mysterious island with out figuring out how she obtained there. However she shortly falls into line as Evelyn begins chatting together with her by way of a walkie-talkie. Like the primary Oxenfree, you’re offered with numerous dialogue decisions that add taste to the dialog. I leaned into the extra sarcastic responses, however different decisions would have allowed me to play it straight or be extra terrified of what was occurring. Whatever the possibility, you’re handled to some glorious voice appearing, which additionally outlined the primary recreation for me. 

I make my approach up a lighthouse the place I encounter a time tunnel, which director Bryant Cannon tells me is one thing made simpler by the ability of recent era consoles. On the high of a spooky, seemingly deserted lighthouse, a time tunnel exhibits me the lighthouse throughout a special time interval, the place the solar is shining, and pedestrians look out on the ocean with the solar setting over it. Cannon tells me these time tunnels are core to the gameplay of Oxenfree II, as they’ll be used to advance by way of obstacles. 

He tells me of 1 occasion the place Riley is in a mine, unable to advance as a result of rocks block the opening. Riley can journey to 1901 utilizing a time tunnel, the place the mine is open to advance. 

Evelyn instructs Riley to make her technique to the middle port of Camena Island, which isn’t removed from Edwards Island, the first setting of the primary Oxenfree. From right here, I’m instructed to make my technique to the island’s high to arrange a transmitter. Alongside the way in which, I run right into a contractor named Jacob, who additionally occurs to be Riley’s accomplice for this new gig. The 2 get alongside properly, and Jacob clues gamers into the concept that Camena Island could be spookier than it first seems. 

Collectively, the 2 head as much as the island the place Riley should arrange a transmitter, and after a brief minigame the place I have to discover the sign utilizing each analog sticks, Oxenfree II teases its hand: a mysterious bolt of power, nearly like lightning, shoots out of the transmitter and towards a triangular, prismatic shred within the skyline above Edwards Island. Riley, Jacob, and Evelyn are, naturally, freaked out by this unusual phenomenon, and whereas the trio appears set to analyze what simply occurred, it’s right here the place my demo ends. 

My half-hour of hands-on time with Oxenfree II is only a tiny style of what’s to come back. It’s lovely, options some nice voice appearing, and performs largely the identical as the unique; which is to say, as a result of I beloved the primary recreation, I’m very excited to see what’s in retailer when Oxenfree II is launched on July 12.