Drama, Drama, Oxenfree

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I appeared on a boat with several other people, only to discover the character who I was playing stole my name. Well, not exactly. I began Oxenfree also as Alex, a girl with blue hair in her senior year of high school. She was on a trip with some of her friends to a place called Edwards Island. As I played the game I was quickly swept up in her life, as well as her problems. Alex had a brother who recently died, and was now on a trip with her friends and new step brother. This seemed to me like a terrible night full of awkwardness and sad memories. Little did I know there would be much more than just teenage drama to be found on Edwards Island.

(The boat en route to Edwards Island)

As we disembarked from the boat, the drama began. My step brother, Jonas, wanted to talk to me alone, asking my friend Ren to go on ahead. Well, this has gotten off to a great start. The first time meeting this guy, he’s decided he wants to start sharing secrets or something. I quickly decided to question him, and after a mediocre response, I declined his invitation to talk trash about my friends, or whatever nonsense he wanted to whisper about. He didn’t like that very much, but accepted it nonetheless. After some jokes and sarcastic responses, we arrived to meet the other two girls who were the other friends of both Alex and Ren. After exchanging some awkward greetings, Alex and company gradually made their way to the beach. Of course since this is a story about teenagers, there was beer. Being an incredible role model I decided to start drinking as a verbal onslaught ensued.

(Making my way dowtown)

For some reason a girl named Clarissa, who apparently dated girl Alex’s brother when he was alive, decided to start picking on girl Alex. Now, I had come here for a good time, and her strange game that seemed like truth or dare but with the intent to barrage me with insults was not about to happen. I quickly fired back with witty retorts that I got to pick out of three dialogue options. After this went on for a while, with the support of the rest of the group, I showed that bully who the true wordsmith was. Shortly afterwards, the guy named Ren, girl Alex’s friend, wanted to go to some cave. Looking for anything to get me away from that crazy Clarissa, I decided to tag along, and Jonas came as well.

(Playing a game of loaded questions and making bad decisions on the beach)

After hopping a fence like any up to no good teenager would do, Ren decided it was time to eat pot brownies. Now we were sure to have a magical adventure. I of course didn’t eat any because I make good choices in this game, like underage drinking. As we continued on in the cave Ren told me to use the radio he’d given me earlier in front of these random standing stones. As I attempted to tune into some signals, unusual lights began to appear. Shortly afterwards, a strange aura emanated from deeper in the cave. Jonas wanted to check it out, and since we seemed to finally get off the drama train and into crazy town, I decided to go along for the ride.

(Making my way through the rocks)

As I entered the cave I was forced to traverse , arriving in a massive room. In the center of the room was a random wardrobe, sure to be full of lions and witches no doubt. Jonas impatiently begins to tell me to use my radio for some reason. After silently suspecting him of knowing something I didn’t, I decided why not? This weird radio already made creepy lights appear, what’s the worst that could happen? through some enormous rocks that stood in my way. Using the greatest platformer game techniques I made it

(Some sort of triangle rift, light, thing)

I began to move my radio through the stations until It began forming some sort of giant glowing triangle above me. Then, everything went black.

(A photo of the squad)

After playing Oxenfree, the first 30-40 minutes felt like I was on Degrassi or something. After that faded away, a bigger, twisted, and darker plot unfolded before me. I began a journey to find my friends and avoid countless perils, all while learning more about my character and Edwards Island. I think that Oxenfree is a unique and interesting game, that managed to win me over after playing it. It’s unique art style, and platformer base were different from any game I’ve ever seen. And on top of that, the story was incredible. It was driven by the countless questions it leaves you with, as you learn more about what’s going on with each step forward. I had a great time over the course of this game experiencing its story, an it still has me wondering so much about it.