Oxenfree, Interactive Horror Where Choice is Key
Oxenfree, published by Night School Studios, is an interactive supernatural horror where choice and agency is placed front and center.
Oxenfree, published by Night School Studios in 2016, was the first publication from the upstart studio. With the recent announcement of a sequel, it seems an appropriate time to review the original. The game follows Alex, a girl going through a lot of personal struggles. This review is a spoiler-free discussion, so I must avoid plot details. I am comfortable saying that Alex and a group of friends and frenemies head down to a mysterious island with an ominous past. Always a safe bet.
What To Expect
This game is accurately labeled a “supernatural teen thriller,” but I would also add “interactive drama survival horror.” Admittedly, it is light on the survival aspect. With a surprisingly adaptive story that accounts for a great deal of character agency, Night School Studios created a name for itself. Despite its strengths, there are points to mention.
First, prepare for a text-focused game. Voice acting is present, but the interaction is where the bulk of the game is centered. Think of TellTale Games. If that isn’t an interest to you, give this game a skip.
Second, for a game focused on story and narrative, Oxenfree suffers from awkward dialogue. A symptom of older writers writing younger characters, I suspect. Any teen drama fan has likely experienced this in their favorite shows.
Finally, to reach the best endings, you have to collect a specific collectible. For a game that focuses on agency, I was disappointed that better conclusions required the busy work meant for completionists. The in-game justification for Game+ mode makes this even less appropriate.
Speaking of, if you’ve beaten the game once, you haven’t beaten the game. It took me some time to realize that, but I found replaying a new experience worth the investment.
Oxenfree is a lot darker and existential than “supernatural teen thriller” implies. Without going into too much detail, expect no flawless victory. It’s the kind of horror that lingers in the reader’s mind as they wonder if they could have done something different. It is easy to think you make no difference, that Alex lacks agency, but every choice matters. Yet, not all options produce the intended outcome.
Final Thoughts
I give this game a 3.5 out of 5 Cthulhus. The mechanics are enjoyable, the characters are interesting, the story is often masterful. It should be a 4; however, the dialogue can feel unnatural and clunky, with characters shifting from astute philosophers to robots trying to understand the “human teen.”
(3.5 / 5)
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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