A Narrative Critique of Oxenfree

[@DukeofWhales]

Sorry, this ended up taking a lot longer than I expected! Dragonborn is up next and then I’ll probably move on to Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. Thanks for watching everyone!

[@kb2fly300]

Its good

[@kacperstrach9687]

brother there has to be some way to speed up these videos coming up.

[@KiomonDuck]

I love both the games. It's worth it👍

[@cpnrackham]

@@kacperstrach9687 not if he wants to jeopardise his quality. And this is quality. So it’s worth the wait.

[@lordedmundblackadder9321]

@DukeofWhales are you ever planning to do Morrowind? I’d really love to see your take on it. No pressure though.

[@isabellegalletly1814]

I love these videos because they're the only "narrative critiques" that actually *critique* the narrative instead of being an extended plot summary

[@user-uv2cp1qd1j]

All those tongue in cheek "a short retrospective" videos that are like 12 hours long. All they do is recount the plot in excruciating detail, then give surface level opinions

[@fatboyvladimir1555]

I can't stand when analysis channels just show a clip of the story and then rephrase what we just heard into an overraught explanation

[@33rdPresident]

Oh my god thank you for saying this.

[@sturm9087]

Honestly this video could use a little more plot summary because as someone who has never played this game its kinda difficult to follow what is actually happening as of the early parts of act 2. Doesnt help that the actual footage is jumping around all over the place with no rhyme or reason to what hes actually talking about. I feel like I have to go watch one of the videos you’re talking about and then come back to this one, maybe its just me but I dont think youtube videos should have that much homework

[@ookamigenji-pv2st]

It's important to keep in mind not every video is trying to acheive the same thing. As far as I know most videogame essayists on youtube aren't doing "narrative critiques" to begin with. Some of them structure their videos as if you were playing through the game so they'll go over plot progression for structure and context. What sets PoW apart is that he focuses primarily on narrative in contrast to the default which is focusing on gameplay. Both types of videos offer different things imo.

[@Ash-V]

I went through most of my first playthorough hating Clarissa, but seeing a lot of myself in Nona, so when I took Nona to retrieve the key and got more insight into Clarissa, it broke me a little bit. I'm also realizing only now how hard it must be on Clarissa to see Alex wearing Michael's jacket, a literally constant reminder of his absence.

[@cydude5856]

I am very surprised, but also very glad that you covered this game. I absolutely love Oxenfree. To me the story about Alex, a girl stuck in a loop of grief just hit so hard and I'm glad someone dedicated some of their time to talk about this awesome game.

[@lucasjames7524]

This video is criminally underwatched. I've come back to it a few times, actually. You deserve a million subscribers.

[@WaifuDaki]

Oxenfree was one of those surprise bangers I got from Games with Gold back in the day.

[@DukeofWhales]

Now that you mention it I think that’s where I first picked it up too! RIP Games with Gold, it had a great run. Well…maybe great is overselling it a bit, but there were some occasional gems.

[@WaifuDaki]

There were definitely a few stinkers, but getting games like Dark Souls, Witcher 2, and Sleeping Dogs way outweighed the duds, RIP.

[@aLonelyCow92]

I started watching your stuff even since someone dropped your Skyrim video into Private Session's discord but I never expected to see such a thorough discussion of one of my favorite video game experiences from you. Only halfway through so far, I just didn't want to forget to comment, this made my entire day better.

[@DukeofWhales]

Thank you, that’s so kind of you to say, I hope I did it justice!

[@DozyBinsh]

Yeah that brownie should take around 30-60 minutes to kick in. Sometimes it can be weirdly fast, but weirdly fast is still like 15 minutes.

[@nickoliekeyov746]

It’s also very gradual (in my experience at least). Like I don’t just hit a point and *I'm high*, it’s more like a commercial airplane taking off. I feel a lil goofy or I’ll start having thought cycles and eventually realize that yeah, I started infodumping about that weird game because I’m definitely high now.

[@kitcat8308]

I was wondering if the "magic" ingredient was something else... Like mushrooms of some sort...but I wouldn't know about that...just a thought most likely brought about by word association as I've heard magic used to refer to special fungi 🤣

[@DozyBinsh]

@@kitcat8308 Oh god I hope it wasn't magic mushrooms. There are few ways I can imagine to guarantee yourself a worse time than being actively haunted by vengeful spirits *while tripping balls* 😬

[@Hamburgervalentine]

I’ve logged an insane amount of hours in this game it’s always been such a comfort of mine! I’m so happy to find such a well crafted video about my favorite thing! Thank you! What a treat❤️

[@H3rmon861]

I wish you would’ve played OXENFREE 2 because I think it ties really well with the more adults themes that are still beneath the surface here. I love OXENFREE 1 but the second hits a lot harder now

[@MatchaLatteEnjoyer5000]

I remember watching/seeing Oxenfree right when it came out and i think i didn't really understand it. It was stuck in the back of my mind like yours. It was similar to other indie games at the time for me, like Night in The Woods and Fran Bow, where I liked it but couldn't tell you why. Only when I come back to these type of games with a more older and analytical take I feel like I appreciate more. I need that second loop even if its the same game. I love your content it's also great to hear people's analysis because I cannot make coherent literary analysis because I have ping pong for a brain :)

[@RockStar9O91]

oxenfree and darkwood in the same day crazy 11hours of content to watch

[@vivanesca]

wait who dropped darkwood

[@liliamoiseeva]

@@vivanesca pyrocynical made an 8 hour video on it

[@april-alecsa]

it's been twelve days since this released and i just can't stomach watching it, considering the borderline traumatic relationship i have with the idea of 'coming of age' that i don't quite have the words to describe. alien? stolen? ravished? just, sorry. i'm sure it's prolly great, your stuff's always awesome. hope you keep doing more of these (!)

[@cristianvillaran5079]

Oxenfree and Oxenfree 2 do approach the idea of having your time stolen from you rather directly. I don’t blame you for having trouble facing those concepts head on

[@jellyfishjig]

This is exactly what I was thinking as well. It utterly sucks that a bunch of people feel like this/ have trauma with this idea, but in some ways it helps to see other people commenting about it here.

[@wineoneone]

Oh awesome a new DoW video is a perfect excuse to rewatch all the DoW analyses

[@ArtOfSoup]

I’m so excited for Dragonborn. Your critiques are incredible, and I hope you keep going and get the recognition you deserve

[@RebekahDianneLove]

I remember the first time I played the line "that old woman was young once, we were young once," gave me SUCH chills for some reason I couldn't even articulate to myself at the time, it's stuck in my head all this time

[@cokeMONSTERps3]

😂 the video just ending abruptly kinda jumpscared me lol. I enjoyed this critique. I never would have played this. Given the lack of an ending, I have an idea that the author is not going to be able to pull all of this stuff together in 2 but am looking forward to you covering it. The 1st loop is quite entertaining just in it's little narrative bubble. You calling that a coming of age story and what comes after as a more adult story is pretty apt. I see it that way too.

[@miguelvirador4847]

What a well articulated breakdown of the narrative devices and intricacies of this fantastic game. I played it for the first time a couple months ago and was left with a nostalgic and longing sense for more. Watching this scratched that itch!

[@autocorrectisdone]

Absolutely wonderful game my man, I gotta say you don't fire often, but you never miss

[@lije_b2015]

Thank you for this video. When I saw it's promo I wasn't going to play it, but your video really made me interested in experiencing the story by myself. You did an awesome and really thorough job analysing the narrative, and the flow of your own narration is really smooth. Special thanks for extranarrative staff like references for "cellar door" concept, Gabriel's trumpet, Hawaiian mythology - I really discovered a lot of new things for myself

[@barknbuyukcakr8066]

The way you said "heavier hitters" are undermining your AC videos man, they're straight fire and frankly the best critiques I've seen of these games. I know this one's gonna be great too, so please never stop

[@davissummer7897]

Babe wake up Duke of Whales posted

[@EliTheGleason]

God it's always such a treat to see your vids, thanks for lowkey making my week ❤

[@guffly]

I love your videos so much. I’ve been rewatching the other ones waiting for you to post. Idk this game but I’m still looking forward to your analysis!! Also as a paradox player, that comment near the end was so dirty lol

[@brittnbee1462]

This game has haunted me for YEARS and is so deeply in the horror category for me personally 🥴 but I am obsessed with it. Thank you for covering it so thoroughly!

[@TehRedBlur]

How do you always manage to pick some of my favorite games for critiques? I love it! I think about your Skyrim and Firewatch videos fairly often.

[@saschaberger3212]

Played it once in one sitting and was impressed. Forgot it existed ever since lol. I should play the second one I think

[@33rdPresident]

Hell yeah, welcome back. One of my favorite rising star channels. I absolutely adored Oxenfree so I'm happy you covered this.

[@jame9169]

It's really interesting to hear your perspective on Oxenfree! I'll have to play it again with some of the ideas you surfaced in mind.

[@necromancywitch]

I'm so, so glad you're covering this game. I'm a die-hard fan of the series and its story is just incredible. And I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the second game! I loved it.

[@RobinSpellbinder04]

Was just rewatching your Skyrim video, what a treat this is!

[@prborders]

Love the video! I hope you do a critique of the sequel

[@kadarrosa9926]

i played this when it came out, probably at the lowest point in my life and the suicide imagery was the main thing that stuck with me, as well as the music, i genuinely don't remember the plot besides memories of depression and lonelyness i should revisit it now that I'm in s better place

[@lucasjames7524]

Wow, this was an excellent video! I wish that your channel had more subscribers than it does. This was a tremendous Sunday morning experience. I don't play games and I never heard of this game, but it's interesting all the same. There's a quality hyperreality to games, and your analysis is wonderful.

[@20starcombomaker]

I'm confident that the story is mainly about transitioning into adulthood as previously mentioned. As also referenced, the sunken a "child-like" for a reason. They represent the "not letting go". Growing up comes with loss in some shape or form, but loss nonetheless. The first Alex refused to let anything go, therefore is stuck with the sunken. She eventually learns and therefore warns her past herself, essentially letting go of, well.. herself. Essentially splitting herself between the part of her (or us) that wants to stay in the bliss of childhood, from the adult that presses on. The reason why you go insane over time is because time marches on no matter what, to stalwartly refuse to grow up so to speak would overtime make one not be able to comprehend the reality, and therefore would have to put one in essentially a loop that can only progress forward so far before reseting and going back.

[@art-is-awen8842]

it's about transition between stages of life. moving from childhood to adulthood, sure. moving from life to death, as well. moving from grief to acceptance. it's not one or the other. and given every single character just so happens to be grieving someone, and bringing the player character's dead loved one back from the death, I promise, it's about both. there's a lot of growing up in grief.

[@grone1778]

I’m a simple man. I see DukeOfWhales upload, I click

[@iamnotagoose]

I’m loving your approach toward stories in games, Duke! Have you played Pentiment? It seems right up your alley

[@N_A.-]

I love everything about this game. I'll finish another loop, head to Oxenfree II, and tour through that, then head back to Oxenfree. They really made a hella great niche project.

[@gummidusa1076]

I audibly gasped when I saw this ! I love Oxenfree, so excited

[@art-is-awen8842]

id love to hear your critique of road 86, if youve played it! I personally think it was a fantastic idea and beautiful and touching but something doesnt quite work? but i cant put my finger on what. great videos!

[@calebschaeferrr]

your videos are so fantastic man!

[@qryguy]

I loved my time with Oxenfree, though I only played one loop. After watching this, maybe I'll have to give another loop or two a play one of these days - maybe before diving into Oxenfree 2. Thanks for bringing this excellent game back on my radar!

[@sglauney]

you deserve a million times more views and subscribers than you have right now!!!

[@GatoBellini]

I always thought that by tuning into the cave anomaly for the very first time, Alex fell not into a single loop in the physical world, but into a jumbled mess of infinite parallel loops on the imaginary plane of existence. The game didn't show much of the world around the island and the "Where are they now?" segments always showed obvious conclusions and weren't too descriptive, as if Alex hadn't actually experienced the life after leaving the island. Michael's resurrection coming at practically zero cost also bothered me quite a bit. Also, in what you call "the good ending", the parking lot felt like the last place an anomalous transmission from another Alex could reach. So to me, the individual playthroughs always felt like a collection of vignettes the Sunken stitched together from their and Alex's memories. If that were the truth, it would mean that from the very beginning, there were no alternative realities, no winning and no real ending, because it was all part of a big vision that would infinitely overlap and repeat itself,. But my reading feels conspiratorial, while yours is reasonable, doesn't seem to create any glaring contradictions and is a bit more hopeful, so I like it. After you skillfully picked apart AC and ACII, I was really looking forward to this critique. Thank you for the video :)

[@GavinH-YT]

love your content. have not played this game, likely will never play this game, but i am seated and listening.

[@captainpepsi353]

These are always a treat to listen to

[@HiChessie]

I really enjoyed the game but put it down after my first playthrough, but you’ve inspired me to pick it up again. I’ll be back to finish the video!

[@DarkDevastat0r]

The venn diagram of games you cover and games I enjoy is just one circle.

[@art-is-awen8842]

when playing, i interpretted Jonas actively butting in to tell Nona to go to the tower as him wanting to spare an argument about their legitimacy/intentions, given that Clarissa sounded panicked and we chose to find Ren, in a relatively safe place, first. i could be wrong, but i think that was the implication, given that i pressed the issue and told Nona and she was annoyed and Jonas smoothed it over again.

[@SapphireMoon-il4rj]

another rly good vid Duke!! rly enjoyed your breakdown and critique & might just check oxenfree out esp now there's a follow up!

[@beanie2571]

35:26 TOTALLY AGREE, im a clarissa lover and i wish in playthrough 2 we could choose her as a sidekick. i dont think it works for her to be there in the FIRST playthrough but i would have loved to have seen them bond later on

[@beanie2571]

2:27:14 thank you for this too! i always read it as romantic

[@darklazer3769]

Great video! I’m glad this game is getting the attention it deserves and you’re just the right person to examine it :D I would be interested to hear your thoughts on Afterparty, I think that game would be very interesting to critique and contrast as Night Schools second entry

[@vibecheck4588]

Hi. You probably don't take suggestions but I think it'd be really interesting for you to take a look at Slime Rancher and its storytelling technique. I absolutely adore your content, you're an inspiration to me as both an aspiring writer and as someone who enjoys media in general.

[@FlaminTubbyToast]

I’d really like you to play oxenfree II. I have a theory about it that I think is somewhat spoilery for those who haven’t played it.

[@DespereauxHarvey]

Shoutout to the puget sound

[@cirojacubowicz7801]

Fantastic! Very thoughtful.

[@japanesepasta7191]

I'm finally getting into Oxenfree (haven't watched the video yet will do once I'm done love your videos.) I would like to point out how I'm also 18 and on my second semester of college lol just thought it was incredible timing that I started it now.

[@cpnrackham]

The chosen one has returned!

[@ИванКруглов-э4щ]

Now I sort ofwish you made a narrative critique of Night in the woods - a superficially simmilar game I feel like I chose over Oxenfree years ago

[@jaredsimpson4701]

Have never played this game, will likely not do so in the future, but you dropped a video, therefore, I watch. Simple.

[@KrausHaus0]

17:21 they take at least 30 minutes, longer depending on metabolism. I don’t feel an edible until 90 minutes after taking it usually

[@ManuelLamy]

Very impressive work, thanks for sharing, cheers!

[@ORANOID]

Great video! About the story of the game: I liked the game when I played it, but more of the first two thirds. It's probably just a me thing, but I like something grounded or mysterious more. So, I went 100% with a game before it showed the ghosts are real and all of that. Even if it's not that straightforward. I like the Firewatch or Night in the woods approach (would be stocked to a see a video on it, btw)

[@trishk5296]

one of my favorite games so excited to see your thoughts!!

[@savvi3128]

Recently played Oxenfree and Oxenfree 2 on PS4. With Oxenfree, I think sometimes the music was too loud than it should be, loved the voice acting much more than Oxenfree 2. However, I did not get the epilogue of the supermarket at the end :( and replaying it again, there were some elements of ".... oh you again" towards Alex, but nothing more than that. Apparently I got the happiest ending in my first gameplay.

[@popsiiv]

1:59:58 "Fished Up from the very depths of Kanaloa" is metal as...hell I'll see myself out

[@Fehorder]

Thanks for the content ❤

[@FlaminTubbyToast]

2:09:09 I wonder why they choose that music. Like it makes sense in connecting to colonialism, but it has a very strong connection to minstrelcy that I can’t ignore?

[@Mauricekaip]

I’d love to find some way to help you produce these faster

[@cadencenavigator958]

17:40ish: yeah, there's clearly some psychosomatic stuff going on there. Edibles don't tend to kick in fast or hard, but they do tend to last a while. 20:20ish: you've clearly never watched Any Austin. If it's interesting, investigate it, I'd watch something like "how Skyrim uses liminal spaces." 1:57:20ish: As someone who grew up in the early to mid 2000s, "they're dead/in a coma all along" is like, the center square edgy fan theory. It's sort of an enhanced version of 'it's all a dream,' which almost always sucks as a final twist; it reverts to status quo so nothing matters, but that status quo is horrible. In most media, it feels like it's trying to be angsty for the sake of angst. I think Oxenfree could get away with it if it wanted to, but I don't think it does. 2:20:00-ish: I don't know that they do still believe in a benevolent god, so much as they're trying to communicate in a way that Alex would understand; as they say, it feels good to break the script. Maybe some part of them believes that, since Alex is still kicking, she can change things for them. Or maybe they're just trying to liven up the eternities a little. 2:25:45: As I say about Homestuck, it's about kids and fun. It's a coming of age story. It's about growing up, and it's about tragedy, and it's about love and duty and loss, and it's about perfidy. But that's a mouthful, so, 'kids and fun' it is. That's it, that's my whole spiel.

[@vivanesca]

i love oxenfree!!! this is fantastic

[@qebsonblade118]

Thanks🎉❤

[@svarthofde2492]

Where are the Grey Knights when you need them?

[@grahamwright1661]

oh thank god, I was worried you were gone

[@five666666]

Patreon when king?

[@vanilloia7479]

fine, i'll finally play oxenfree so i can watch this vid.

[@ManuelLamy]

Imagine giving 0.01% of Concord's budget to indie devs like that...

[@Matremoon]

Platinumed both games 10/10 would do again:)

[@williamrueckert-gardner3293]

YES so excited to dig into thi

[@John-xn4gb]

did anyone else not play a 2nd loop thinking that was just the end of the game 😮

[@Mr.Room1]

Duke of Whales video, we love to see it folks

[@AyBee9725]

Huh… this game is like a side scrolling version of Alan Wake. Or at least I can imagine this game being set in the AWverse.

[@eliott.b76]

Would you rather have unlimited bacon, but no more games Or games, unlimited games- but no games

[@goblinkinggaming4916]

Yes!! Boredom delayed for several hours!

[@TemporarySec]

If you ever make a patreon I am there for it

[@FlaminTubbyToast]

Hopefully you’ve played Oxenfree II (this shouldn’t spoil anything if you haven’t), but I would bet see a man about a dog will have something to do with the third - and I predict final game -

[@ilanmusk3503]

I LOVE DUKE OF WHALES‼️‼️‼️

[@projectJUNO]

ahh damn was hoping for brotherhood

[@JuggernogYT]

I played this game a long time ago and I forgot everything about it other than it was a big mind fuck

[@Proxy1199]

Fuck yeah my guy

[@rotamsin]

so how come this uploaded while i was going through ya videos, huh? fuckin spyin on me...

[@graysonschofer2242]

Duke of whales I love you

[@azzor4134]

you have to be very passionate to work on a video of this lenght for 3 months, when your video is about a game no one has heard of.

[@clemdelaclem]

I kinda hate oxenfree, I found it really shallow on my first play-through but I'm open to having my mind changed edit: after watching it, I understand it now, I understand why people care a lot about it

[@cortisolsoup]

brb gonna replay the game and report back lol

[@clownratt]

As someone who is also getting older I can confirm corollas are the most boring and best cars out there

[@thatfunkyorangecat]

miss measuring the magic isn’t how it works but he for sure took too much lol

[@MrTup9991]

Skyrim meme hehe

[@big-gloom]

your voice is way too bass boosted

[@Notmyabt]

balls