Night School Studio released the first Oxenfree back in 2016. Its sequel, Oxenfree II, was released on July 12, 2023. Based on the developers’ statements, the sequel occurs five years after the first game’s events. That begs the question: do you need to play the first Oxenfree to play Oxenfree II? Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about the sequel’s connection to the first game.
Do You Need to Play the First to Understand the Second?
The answer to if the first and second game’s stories are connected is complicated. Theoretically, you don’t need to play the first game to understand the second. Specific references to the first game are made throughout Oxenfree II, but the experience isn’t dampened if you haven’t experienced the first game. If anything, if you don’t know the story of Edwards Island and the USS Kanaloa explained in the first game, the air of mystery is further heightened.
A certain point in the game is far more confusing if you haven’t played the first. Night School Studio fully expects you to have played the first game to comprehend the second. The way the narrative progresses would make no sense without the context of the original Oxenfree. After all, the game is titled Oxenfree II. It is designed to continue everything the first game established directly.
However, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Oxenfree is one of the best indie horror games on the market. Additionally, it’s available on all consoles, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Currently, it is available for $1.99 on Steam. So, to answer whether you need to play the first Oxenfree to understand Oxenfree II, the answer is mostly yes. While you could get away with playing the game without knowing its predecessor, it dramatically dampens some narrative beats and surprises throughout the story.
Oxenfree II is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Netflix. Stay tuned for more information from Night School Studio about their future games lineup.
