Regardless of the choices you make, the final decision is the only important one, leading to one of two outcomes.Ĭouple this with the fact that the gameplay can be frustrating and replayability isn’t really going to be all that appealing. That fact certainly rings true in Oxenfree, as the branching paths, missable puzzles and items, and multiple endings warrant more than one go around.Īs we mentioned early, the dialogue system and the many choices it provides makes each playthrough feel a little different, especially since the choices influence the story.Ĭontent from one ending also helps provide more insight on the story as well the second, third, or even fourth time playing Oxenfree too.įor Afterparty, while it may seem like there are a lot of different paths to go down with how many drinks there are, things really only come down to a this or that system. Not only does that make them perfect weekend titles to breeze through, but it usually also means there is some form of replayability. In regards to total runtime, both titles on this list can be completed in under 10 hours. In reality, not only did that dialogue system not measure up, but Afterparty also didn’t have anywhere near as many options when it came to puzzles in the game either. In all honesty, I really thought Afterparty’s drink system would have rivaled Oxenfree’s dialogue interrupt up its release. Oxenfree also features plenty of puzzles that can be solved with Alex’s radio or by winding up tape recorders at the correct speed. These bubbles indicate that whatever option was chosen will have an effect on the characters’ relationship with her from here on out. While this may seem like a trivial thing, Oxenfree shows the effects of each choice through thought bubbles. Whenever Alex and another NPC are talking, players have the option to wait for other characters to finish, to interrupt, or to remain silent.

The first worth mentioning is the game’s interrupt dialogue system. On the other hand, Oxenfree has a few really interesting gameplay elements that make it feel a lot less like a point-and-click adventure. There is also an element to gameplay where you have the ability to influence dialogue options by picking different drinks but it doesn’t change any of the conversations in any important manner. Each game is pretty straightforward, with varying rule sets that won’t take much of a thought process to figure out. Only four of these exist in the game: Blood Pong (Beer Pong), Shot Stacking, Dance Offs, and Drink Offs. The core gameplay of Afterparty generally tends to revolve around the mini-games strewn about different sections of the game.

While it is true that narrative adventure games are usually more walking simulators than gameplay masterpieces, it still plays a heavy part in enjoying these types of titles. With that all in mind, this battle of plots goes to Oxenfree, as its depth and choices win out over Afterparty’s awesome premise. While the characters, setting, and dialogue are all up to snuff, the game does suffer from a lack of exploration and freedom. This story’s premise is wacky and amazing, featuring more of a modern-day approach to the famous song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”Ī premise alone does not an amazing story make, though, as Afterparty fails to implement much of a branching narrative at all, only really giving A or B choices.

The only way they are able to recover their memories and possibly escape Hell is to outdrink the devil. Night School Studio’s sophomore title is based around two best friends, Lola and Milo, who suddenly end up on the bad side of the afterlife, dead and in hell without even knowing why. Depending on what is picked, these choices shape each character’s interactions with Alex, as well as her overall personality, throughout the rest of the game.ĭifferent endings also occur as a result of the choices that are made, providing a lasting impact with each decision.įor Afterparty, the story follows a much more mature, millennial approach to things. What sets the story apart, though, is its characters and story growth.Īlex is given a multitude of branching paths to go down in the form of dialogue choices. I’ve always personally loved the sci-fi, fantasy genre, so it was pretty easy to be enticed by the time-traveling and paranormal elements that accompany the game. Considering both Oxenfree and Afterparty are both driven by their narrative, it is no surprise that their stories need to at least be enjoyable.įor Oxenfree, players follow Alex: a rebellious teenager that joins a group of her peers for a night of exploring a decommissioned island surrounded by ghosts.Īs that description indicates, the story becomes supernatural pretty quickly, as the fantastical elements of the island and its ghost are sprinkled in as the game progresses.

Oxenfree characters