Oxenfree II: Lost Signals Review - What's on the radio?

While Oxenfree II: Lost Signals serves as a direct sequel to the 2016 game Oxenfree, it should be noted that the two games share only a few points of connection. They feature a similar premise and interconnected characters. However, even if you are unfamiliar with the first game, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals provides a fully comprehensible story that you can effortlessly immerse yourself in without encountering any difficulties or barriers.

Given that Oxenfree II: Lost Signals places significant emphasis on its narrative, the majority of this review will be dedicated to examining and discussing this particular aspect of the game.

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Oxenfree II: Lost Signals doesn't share much with its predecessor

Story

As previously stated in the introduction of this review, the story serves as the backbone of Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, and I must affirm that the developers have undeniably delivered on their promise of a compelling narrative. The quality of the story in Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is exceptional, to the point that it is regrettable to see it implemented in a relatively straightforward and low-budget game such as Oxenfree II: Lost Signals.

In Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, the story revolves around the protagonist, Riley, who left the town of Camena due to issues with her father. However, circumstances lead her to return when her father's health deteriorates. In an effort to earn some money, Riley takes on what appears to be a straightforward task of installing transponders throughout the district.

However, as her adventure unfolds, she becomes entangled in a series of eerie and supernatural events. What initially seemed like an ordinary night transforms into a race against time, contending with ghosts and distorted radio waves, and ultimately preventing a catastrophic end to the world.

While the premise of the story in Oxenfree II: Lost Signals may not be groundbreaking, it is masterfully executed, ensuring that it never becomes monotonous or overwhelming with excessive information. The storytelling strikes a perfect balance, providing just enough details to captivate and sustain your interest until the very end.

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Oxenfree II: Lost Signals - The story is interesting to the very end

An equally significant aspect of Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is the relationships that protagonist Riley forms, particularly with Jacob, her business partner, as well as with other characters. Given that this is a narrative driven by consequential choices, these relationships can range from highly positive to neutral or even somewhat hostile. It is within your control to shape the development of these relationships. However, it is regrettable that while these choices primarily influence character dynamics, they have minimal impact on the ultimate outcome of the story.

To maintain a spoiler-free context, it's worth mentioning that regardless of the choices you make throughout Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, the final outcome provides an opportunity for you to select one of three characters to conclude the story, thereby influencing the different endings.

However, if you wish to experience all three distinct endings, you'll need to replay the game from the beginning since in-game saves are not available. Additionally, it's important to note that if you select an option that doesn't align with your desired outcome, you won't be able to reload a checkpoint but instead will need to start the entire game anew.

The good news is that the game isn't that long and will take you four to five hours to complete.

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Oxenfree II: Lost Signals' story will take up to five hours to complete

Gameplay

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals can be best characterised as a walking simulator since the gameplay mechanics are minimal and limited. There is a scarcity of interactive elements to engage with, to the extent that not all controller buttons are utilised. For instance, both the L1 and L2 buttons serve the same function for the walkie-talkie, while the same is true for the R1 and R2 buttons. The D-pad, on the other hand, is generally unused throughout the game.

Aside from navigating from point A to point B, characters in Oxenfree II: Lost Signals occasionally engage in actions such as jumping over obstacles and gaps, as well as climbing rocks and ropes. However, these interactions remain fairly limited. Given the game's 2D nature, it's understandable that complex gameplay mechanics may not be present. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Night School Studio had the potential to enhance these aspects further, without doubt.

In discussing the gameplay, it is important to address the inclusion of puzzles, which are often integral to games of this nature. Regrettably, in Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, the puzzles leave much to be desired. To put it mildly, they are quite underwhelming.

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The puzzles are perhaps the weakest segment of Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

With the exception of a slightly more challenging puzzle found in an optional side mission involving assisting Hank, the ghost hunter, in gathering evidence of paranormal activity, the remaining puzzles in the game are unremarkable. This particular side mission serves as a reminder that the developers had the potential to incorporate more imaginative and engaging puzzles throughout Oxenfree II: Lost Signals.

In terms of gameplay tools, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals primarily revolves around two main devices: a walkie-talkie and a radio. These tools play a crucial role in the game, allowing players to interact with and manipulate distorted frequencies. And that's pretty much it.

While I didn't have high expectations for complex gameplay mechanics, it's worth noting that Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is a video game and not solely a movie or series. Thus, a bit more interactivity could have been incorporated without feeling out of place.

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Oxenfree II: Lost Signals - More gameplay segments would bring the game to a higher level

Graphics and Sounds

In terms of visuals, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals presents a captivating aesthetic. The graphics are charming, with an art style reminiscent of endearing cartoons. The environment is filled with vibrant colours, and the character designs, despite not being prominently displayed up close, are easily recognisable, which is praiseworthy. The game's 2D design incorporates layers on the screen, allowing characters to move in various directions. While this adds an interesting dimension, it can occasionally lead to bugs and clumsiness in execution.

A notable visual feature in Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is the impressive use of reflections. While I may not possess extensive knowledge of graphics terminology, the reflections within the game appear remarkably realistic and visually stunning.

I would even venture to speculate that ray-traced reflections are employed, given their level of detail and beauty in certain areas. Additionally, the game incorporates particle effects that enhance its overall visual appeal, especially in specific sections, further contributing to its beauty, which is really praiseworthy given the game's level of production.

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Oxenfree II: Lost Signals - Some scenes can take your breath away

Furthermore, I must mention that the level design failed to make a significant impression on me. Despite the presence of a map and multiple levels to explore, each level felt almost indistinguishable from the others. Additionally, loading times between levels can be quite lengthy, despite playing the game on a PlayStation 5, which typically minimises loading times.

The sound experience in Oxenfree II: Lost Signals presents a contrasting aspect. While the soundtrack is notably good, effectively contributing to the eerie atmosphere, the general sound design can be somewhat grating. For instance, in certain levels, a repetitive tone may persist relentlessly, reaching a point where it becomes bothersome and making you eagerly anticipate leaving that particular level.

Now, let's shift our focus to one aspect that deserves significant praise, particularly related to sound—the voice acting. The voice performances in Oxenfree II: Lost Signals are truly exceptional, demonstrating top-notch talent. Both the visible characters and those we communicate with over the radio deliver stellar performances.

However, a minor critique could be directed towards the portrayal of the main character, Riley. It's not due to poor acting but rather the choice to emphasise a youthful speech pattern, which feels somewhat incongruous for a woman in her thirties. Nevertheless, special recognition is due to the actor who lent his voice to Jacob, as his work stands out as exceptional. This actor deserves commendation for his outstanding contribution.

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Oxenfree II: Lost Signals - Voice acting is one of the best aspects of the game

Conclusion

The developers of Oxenfree II: Lost Signals have undeniably delivered on their promises, particularly in terms of the captivating story and outstanding voice acting. These aspects of the game deserve the highest praise. However, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is ultimately a video game, and despite being forgiving of its lesser gameplay, the minimal and almost non-existent gameplay elements cannot be overlooked.

If you value an exceptionally well-crafted story that rivals the depth of a compelling novel and are willing to approach Oxenfree II: Lost Signals with an open mind, setting aside conventional expectations of a typical video game, then this game comes highly recommended. Its strengths lie in its storytelling prowess, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a captivating narrative.