Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals Review (PS4, PS5): Stuck in a Loop

It appeared like Alex was damned to wallow in limbo till the tip of time. 2016’s Oxenfree had a darkish ending that left its protagonist caught in a cycle the place escape was solely a mere fantasy. Oxenfree 2: Misplaced Indicators is the long-anticipated, oft-delayed follow-up poised to supply some type of closure, and whereas it does obtain that, additionally it is trapped in its personal loop.

Oxenfree 2 appears like it’s repeating itself as a result of it’s so much like the primary recreation. The unique was a novel tackle the narrative journey style because it let gamers stroll and discuss on the similar time, whereas using a free-flowing dialogue system that ensured conversations progressed organically. Gamers weren’t normally doing a lot, however having the ability to transfer to the following story beat whereas additionally participating in dialog was a significant iteration on the regimented model of Telltale Video games, Supermassive Video games, and Quantic Dream.

It’s nonetheless an efficient option to construct character and provides Oxenfree 2 ample alternative to flesh out its new faces. The best way characters converse can be one in every of its robust fits since they may discuss all the best way till the participant picks a response, that means conversations don’t have the useless air that’s so distracting in lots of its contemporaries. The naturalistic performances additional floor these characters since they converse with hesitation markers and stammer very similar to actual individuals with out it being a hokey crutch. 

All of those small selections play their half in making Oxenfree 2’s dialogue presentation so spectacular, but it surely’s nonetheless the identical system. Evening Faculty Studio seemingly didn’t enhance or broaden these programs to additional construct on the inspiration it laid all these years in the past. After seven years, it will have been extra engaging if the crew pushed ahead with some new tweaks or improvements since requirements are completely different now. Oxenfree ought to have been the place to begin, not the endpoint. The walkie talkie that may ping various completely different characters is essentially the most noticeable distinction, however these exchanges frequently get interrupted or overlap with different dialogue.

Carrying over the motion system is extra detrimental because it drags down the tempo and stretches out easy journeys. Gamers can’t even management their strolling velocity, but it surely’s virtually all the time too sluggish anyway. Taking a improper flip can be notably excruciating because it’s unimaginable to shortly course appropriate. Trying to find collectibles or potential secrets and techniques solely to be met with a useless finish is demoralizing and infrequently not well worth the effort.

Transferring at a snail’s tempo curtails the urge to discover and, extra broadly, limits replay worth. Oxenfree 2 has some hidden conversations and lots of dialogue decisions, but it surely doesn’t seem to offer gamers many alternatives to actually craft their very own playthrough. When so many scenes play out the identical approach or solely have negligible variations, the glacial strolling velocity and unskippable dialogue simply make further runs much more unappealing. Prolonged and protracted loading instances additionally ceaselessly hinder its ahead momentum and are solely made considerably tolerable by its unbelievable horror-tinged ambient soundtrack.

The pacing appears intentionally dialed down to offer gamers extra time to stick to the forged. Sprinting to the tip with a stranger wouldn’t have as a lot weight as crawling to the climax with a good friend. Riley, the protagonist, and her new colleague Jacob are given the house to develop and change into greater than two-dimensional caricatures merely making an attempt to bust some ghosts. 

Riley is laid-back and has a nonchalant angle that would have change into grating, however by no means does due to its largely competent (if generally overwritten) script. Studying her historical past and why she’s returned to her hometown are each intriguing hooks that additionally make her a extra nuanced particular person. Jacob is easier and extra of an upbeat nerd that hides his staggering quantity of insecurity behind humor. His previous just isn’t almost as difficult or compelling, and it looks like his fundamental goal is so as to add the levity that Riley is emotionally incapable of offering. It’s weird that the sport lets gamers be imply to Jacob since he’s agreeable to a fault — his flaws are inner struggles that aren’t negatively expressed outward — however the two make for a strong crew.

Oxenfree 2 makes use of Riley, Jacob, and the antagonists to touch upon acceptance and destiny. The concepts are woven collectively effectively since they manifest otherwise in every character and grant alternate viewpoints that every one uniquely poke on the recreation’s themes. Whereas a few of these antagonists are faceless ghouls, having a extra human opposition with comprehensible targets gives extra subtleties that spooky ghosts aren’t outfitted to produce.

These themes are additionally integral to the plot, which banks too closely on information from the unique recreation. Whereas it’s a sequel, it’s extra of a second chapter that calls for an intimate familiarity of its forebearer. Regardless of that requirement, it does a horrible job at recapping these essential occasions by glossing over main beats from the final recreation and neglecting to correctly reintroduce characters. Sequels clearly can and may proceed prior storylines and reuse components of the forged, but it surely’s essential for mentioned sequels to offer correct context for these components inside themselves; they shouldn’t virtually solely depend upon prior expertise.

And whereas a intelligent utilization of New Sport Plus, Oxenfree’s canon conclusion is locked behind a number of playthroughs that require sure decisions. This implies Oxenfree 2 is selecting up from a finale many probably aren’t accustomed to, one which’s radically completely different from essentially the most generally seen ending. Given how very important these particulars are, it’s stunning Evening Faculty Studio leaned so arduous on this course with out offering a extra useful and thorough synopsis, particularly with the prolonged seven-year hole between video games.

Oxenfree 2: Misplaced Indicators Overview: The ultimate verdict

It appeared like Alex was damned to wallow in limbo till the tip of time, but it surely’s Oxenfree 2 that ended up being caught in a loop. A few of these replicated options work in its favor, like its fluid dialogue and forged of decently well-realized characters, but it’s too closely anchored to its predecessor. The aforementioned dialogue system is usually the identical and hasn’t been additional streamlined or upgraded. Traversal continues to be too sluggish. And regardless that its narrative builds on what got here earlier than, it struggles to supply a complete abstract of that first recreation and contextualize these all-important occasions. All of those stumbles imply that Oxenfree 2’s sign isn’t misplaced, simply stuffed with pointless static.

Disclaimer: This Oxenfree 2: Misplaced Indicators assessment is predicated on a PS4 and PS5 copy offered by the writer. Reviewed on model 1.02 and 1.002.000, respectively.