Oxenfree
Oxenfree is a supernatural adventure game. Rites of passage and Senior year traditions set the stage for a group of friends sneaking off to Edwards Island, an old military outpost with no phone service. Players will take on the role of Alex as she brings her new stepbrother Jonas to an overnight party gone horribly wrong. Inspired by classic cult films like Stand by Me and Poltergeist, Oxenfree is an adventure that pulls from the past but looks to the present. “It’s a coming of age story where players control how their hero comes of age,” says Sean Krankel, co-founder of Night School. “We’re drawing on the fond and mortifying aspects of being in your late teens, and setting it against a dangerous and ghostly backdrop.”
What it feels like
An enigmatic atmosphere pervades the island setting with secrets and half-glimpsed supernatural dangers pulling the player forward. The game treats emotional beats sincerely, grounding the supernatural thriller in genuine coming-of-age feelings and character stakes. Sustained edge-of-seat pressure as the situation deteriorates and the players realize something has gone horribly wrong.
What it's about
A central narrative focus on growing up, rites of passage, and senior year traditions that shape Alex's journey through the supernatural events. A ghostly rift and spectral forces are the core conflict driving the story and atmosphere throughout the experience. Unraveling what happened on the island and understanding the nature of the supernatural phenomenon structures the experience.
How it plays
Branching conversation choices with friends drive interaction, character development, and story outcomes as the primary gameplay system. Weighty decisions about how to handle situations and relationships shape the unfolding narrative and character arcs.
How it looks and sounds
The game features distinctive hand-drawn 2D art style with illustrated character designs and environments. The gameplay unfolds from a 2D side-scrolling perspective as the core visual presentation. Interface elements are integrated into the world (radio as central mechanic) rather than overlaying the experience.
How it's structured
Designed as a solo experience where the player controls Alex's decisions and dialogue throughout. Player choices in dialogue and decisions fork the story into meaningfully different paths and outcomes, as emphasized by 'control how their hero comes of age.' The game resolves in more than one distinct ending depending on player choices made throughout the experience.
Kindred games
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