Some spoiler-free tips before playing Oxenfree II
If you enjoyed Oxenfree and thought, I’d like to play that again without knowing how it ends, well, I have some good news for you. Oxenfree II: Lost Signals just released today, and it looks, feels, and sounds a lot like the first Oxenfree, with a completely new story that may, or may not, tie into the previous game. Once I finished, I had four thoughts that if I was to play Oxenfree II for the first time might make my overall enjoyment of the game even higher than it was on the first playthrough. They are spoiler free, such a good game deserves to not be ruined by someone who has already played.
Play around with the radio ASAP
You gain access to the radio quickly. Don’t be afraid to try it out, find stations, make friends. You can also find a station and leave it there while you continue to walk around. Dialogue and the radio will continue when you walk from one section of the map to the next; you don’t need to stop and play out the interaction for fear of missing out on something. If you do fiddle with the radio may I suggest a station near the lower end of the frequency?
When it comes to choices, follow your gut
There are a lot of choices to make. Do what feels right at that moment. Also, don’t be afraid not to make a choice; let the dialogue choices disappear. Awkward silence is fitting at times in the game. But to make sure you get to make all the choices possible, make sure to check in with your friends on the walkie-talkie, you don’t want out on updates.
Explore, don’t be afraid to try different paths
There are collectibles in Lost Signals, similar to the first game. And like the first game if you want the best ending experience, you need to find them all. Thankfully just by playing you’ll come across most of the letters hidden throughout. At times there is more than one way to reach the location you are heading out to. When that’s the case be sure to check out the other option too, you never know what’s over that way.
It’s only four hours long, or is it?
Like the first Oxenfree, Lost Signals isn’t the longest video game. My first playthrough took me just north of four hours. And like the first one there are multiple ways Lost Signals can come to its conclusion. Once you finish you’ll be rewarded with a list of stats showing how your choices stacked up against those that have played before you. If you’re like me, this will only incentivize you to jump back on and play through again to see some of the other ways you can get to the same, or even different end game conclusions.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
