Got Netflix? Play Oxenfree!

A mysterious island. Tragic characters. Time travel. Flashbacks. Ghosts. At first glance, we're not too far from the cult series Lost. That's actually a brief summary of the story behind the thriller/mystery titles Oxenfree and Oxenfree II.

The first part appeared in 2016, while the second has just been released, last week. With a Netflix subscription, you can play both games for free. If you have even the slightest interest in mystery and horror stories, you should definitely give them a go.

The first part of "Oxenfree"

Edwards Island is haunted. This former military base is now a picturesque tourist attraction with beautiful beaches. In some places, it seems that you can pick up the voices of spirits using a radio receiver. Radio broadcasts from the distant past can also be heard. At least, that's what rumours circulating among young people in the area claim.

In the first Oxenfree, you accompany a group of teenagers as they travel around the island. The youngsters are having a night party on the beach. Armed with a portable radio, the group decide to investigate rumours of ghosts during the evening. And indeed, they come across a frequency on which disturbing voices are heard.

What these young people don't know is that with their radio experiments to communicate with spirits, they cause a passageway to another dimension to open. Oops. To top it all off, they find themselves trapped in an infinite time loop from which there is no escape. Suffice to say, the evening doesn't go exactly to plan.

"Oxenfree II: Lost Signals"

Oxenfree II takes place a few years after the events of the first game. In it you play a researcher who, with a partner, wants to study mysterious radio waves. Edwards Island is no longer the only place where they have been reported. Not far away, the mainland coast of Camena is also said to have recently been haunted.

Of course, the original plan turns sour in the second part too. The scientific couple are also confronted with supernatural beings, time travel and hallucinations. Over the course of the game, the plots of the two games come together in elegant fashion. This is why you absolutely must play the first game before embarking on Oxenfree II!

Gameplay

You shouldn't expect intense action gameplay. The emphasis is on exploring the island and coastal region of Camena. Most of your gameplay time is spent traversing beautifully drawn level sections.

You sometimes have to climb walls, or solve puzzles using your portable radio. These elements are not central to the story. The game relies on its narrative, its oppressive atmosphere and its engaging characters. The Oxenfree games are a perfect example of the ride simulators genre.

The conversations between the characters enliven the eternal wanderings. In short bursts, you learn more about the sometimes tragic history of the protagonists. All the conversations are fully soundtracked and interpreted by an incredible cast of voices.

During the conversations, you can choose between several answers. Time is limited. If you wait too long, the response options disappear. This may seem stressful, but on the flip side it makes the conversations between the characters very natural. These aren't the kind of conversations we're used to in video games, with artificial pauses and bizarre responses. You feel like you're talking to real people.

Each decision made can have a big influence on the ending of the story. Similarly, the possible responses in your interactions have a huge impact on the rest of the story. So think carefully.

Netflix

I love the atmosphere of the Oxenfree games. It's a good mix of many influences, reminding me of some of my favourite series.

The mystery box elements remind me of Lost: each answer to a question raises three more questions. The music, sound effects and teenage cast in the first half give me a Stranger Things vibe. And at times, you're treated to some completely what the fuck moments that wouldn't put Twin Peaks to shame.

Both Oxenfree games are a perfect fit for Netflix for all the reasons outlined above. It's as if they were playable series, ideal for spending a weekend at home. Unlike the linear narrative of series, the story is told interactively. It's up to us to decide whether our investigators' story has a happy ending. That's why I'm so impressed.

I can easily overlook the few weaknesses of both games, such as the slow tempo that requires a little patience. And, yes, the loading screens that interrupt the narrative. But no matter. In return, I get to experience one of the most exciting stories I've ever seen on this platform.

Oxenfree and Oxenfree II: Lost Signals are available on Xbox (the former only), PlayStation, Switch, PC and mobile.