Enjoying via Oxenfree II: Misplaced Indicators will really feel immediately acquainted to anybody who’s skilled the unique. Developer Evening Faculty Studio hasn’t gone out of its approach right here to create something wildly totally different to its debut title, however has correctly opted to implement every thing it is realized over the previous seven years or so to create a sport that feels significantly better paced with a smaller, extra centered solid of characters.
Going down 5 years after the unique, Oxenfree II focuses on Riley Poverly as she returns to the coastal city of Camena (with the unique Edward’s Island seen within the distance) to research interferences with radio indicators all through the surroundings. There, she meets up with Jacob Summers, an outdated acquaintance who turns into her companion over the course of the five-six hour marketing campaign.
Riley’s previous (and, in some methods, her future) is explored considerably as you make your approach via the sport, and it makes for an enchanting glimpse into her character and character. Each she and Jacob are significantly older than the solid of characters discovered within the first sport, and their interactions with each other really feel a bit extra mature, albeit with the occasional vibrant joke thrown in for good measure. Their connection reminded us of the connection between Henry and Delilah from Campo Santo’s Firewatch, however the similarities don’t finish there.
Certainly, very similar to the primary sport, you’ll have a walkie-talkie in your possession together with a small, moveable radio. The previous can be utilized to contact your boss, Evelyn, together with varied different characters you are available in contact with as you progress via the story. What’s nice is which you could whip out your walkie-talkie at any level and get some recommendation or steerage out of your contacts — inside motive, in fact. There’s even an area radio host which you could contact when you’ve listened to their present sufficient.
The radio, then again, works very a lot the identical approach because it did within the unique. You possibly can tune it to varied stations — some showcasing native musical expertise and others repeating ominous phrases and phrases, as you do — or, you should use it to tear portals in spacetime. Sure, Oxenfree II loses not one of the thriller from the primary sport and even provides a number of new ones into the combination, as you’d anticipate.
This time, the central thriller focuses on a cult group generally known as ‘Parentage’, and also you’ll be bumping into a variety of its members over the course of the story. Naturally, these people are typically a bit hostile in the direction of Riley and Jacob’s meddling, however their very own motives turn out to be a lot clearer as you strategy the ultimate conclusion; for sure, nothing is kind of because it may appear on the planet of Oxenfree II, and it’s all the higher for it.
The story would endure if it weren’t for the fantastic voice performing, and it’s arguably even higher than it was within the first sport. Chopping down on the general variety of solid members permits for some distinctive character exploration as Riley and Jacob make their approach round Camena. There are virtually no moments the place you’re feeling obligated to examine in with sure characters as a result of, nicely, there are actually solely two for probably the most half. It makes the story move lots higher than the unique.
That is to not say the pacing has been completely perfected, thoughts. There are nonetheless moments when strolling via the surroundings can really feel a tad monotonous, significantly throughout these uncommon events once you might need taken a mistaken flip. General, although, regardless of the extra open-ended nature of Oxenfree II’s exploration, its useful map function (which is up to date with helpful notes as you full sure story beats) and simple aims imply that you simply’ll hardly ever end up at a unfastened finish.
Talking of aims, the sport throws a variety of puzzles at you at varied factors within the story. These might be so simple as working your approach round a blockage within the surroundings or discovering a key to a locked door. A number of the extra attention-grabbing puzzles see you tuning your radio to change a visual sign on the display to match a sure form. General, although, there’s nothing right here that’ll have you ever pulling your hair out; a lot of the puzzles are there to serve the story, and nothing extra.
Trying on the visuals, there’s undoubtedly been a major enchancment right here over the unique sport. Characters and environments look much more fleshed out and animations have been massively expanded upon. Riley and Jacob are exceptionally expressive throughout conversations, utilizing their palms to assist dialogue and assist make their temper lots clearer to the participant. General, Oxenfree II’s visuals sign a delicate evolution over the unique; it’s not so totally different that it loses what made the 2016 title so nice, but it surely’s improved sufficient that each veterans and newcomers alike can recognize the distinction.
Lastly, although we clarified this in our earlier hands-on impressions, we should always observe right here that you simply can play via Oxenfree II with out experiencing the primary sport. That stated, we personally would not advocate skipping the unique. There are numerous connections that, whereas maybe not important to the story, shall be considerably extra fulfilling should you play via Oxenfree first. Belief us on this.
Conclusion
Oxenfree II: Misplaced Indicators is a superb sequel that takes the story in a considerably totally different course with out shedding what made the unique such an important piece of storytelling. The sharper deal with fewer characters makes for a a lot better-paced expertise with out the necessity to juggle a number of relationships. Pacing points do crop up should you occur to take a mistaken flip however, regardless of that, Oxenfree II nonetheless offers an intriguing, suspenseful thriller that followers and newcomers will each adore. Be sure you play the unique first, although.