Tips and Tricks

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is the mind-bending follow-up to the supernatural thriller, Oxenfree. Returning to the coastal town of Camena, you'll play as Riley Poverly, an Environmental Researcher that's returned home to investigate some unnaturally occurring radio frequencies.

With plenty to explore, new mechanics to learn, and a dynamic dialogue system that can alter the entire story based on your decisions, we've got you covered with 16 helpful tips and tricks to make your time on Camena much easier.

Essential Tips and Tricks for Getting Started in Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals

• With minimal guidance throughout the game, it can sometimes be a little difficult to understand if you’re on the right track. One way to tell is time stamps, as they indicate that a new chapter is starting. Others include Jacob becoming more chatty as you enter new regions and new chat options becoming available for your walkie contacts.
• Movement can be a little finicky, so we recommend using the automated pathing system, which sees you clicking ahead on the path or above a ledge, allowing Riley to move automatically – automated movement is visualized with a small green arrow. This is especially helpful during certain scenes where movement and timing are crucial to success.
• Lost or worried that you’re potentially missing a secret path? Thankfully, there aren't too many of those, so just be sure to frequently refer to your map, as you’ll find small yellow arrows marked on the map, indicating the exit points for that region. Furthermore, you can discover hard-to-see ledges, paths, and climbing anchor points when zooming all the way, as this will give you a clear view of all the navigable areas in each region.
  
• Just remember, Riley’s dream states and visions aren’t real. So, there may be times when you need to revisit locations to pick up items you saw in these alternate realities. We know this one is a little vague, but you’ll thank us later when completing a particular achievement involving Tap to Reveal.?
  
• The key to tuning your radio is to listen for higher-pitched frequencies and look for slight glows on the numbers. These two handy tips will help narrow down the correct frequency you’re trying to tune to.
• Worried about interrupting your conversations with Jacob as you travel between regions within Camena? Don’t fear, as conversations will continue. When reaching the exit of a region, look for a small green conversation icon on the travel button. This will indicate that your conversation will pick up exactly where it stopped in the next area.
  
• Try to keep your exploring to a minimum early on, at least until you have access to your climbing gear, as many locations, such as Garland, will be available for you to access once you have the necessary items and equipment upgrades. Don’t stress too much about finding these upgrades; you’ll eventually receive them during the story, as nothing is missable.?

Conversations Are Timed, So Respond Quickly

During conversations, be sure to respond promptly, as responses will only remain for several seconds before they fade out and disappear entirely – choosing no answer is also an option. Since Oxenfree 2 is a chose-your-own adventure, how you respond is completely up to you.?

Choose Your Answers Correctly

Unfortunately, once you select a response to a question, that's your final answer, as you won't have a chance to revisit the conversation. So be sure to choose your answers carefully and meaningfully; otherwise, you may cause an alteration in the story.??

Frequently Refer to Your Map and Notepad for Clues

When in doubt, look to your map, as you’ll find handy written notes that often lead you to objectives. The notepad will also occasionally remind you to check in with walkie contacts. Most check-in notes are there to help assist you with completing tasks that are generally related to achievements.

Unhappy With the Outcome? Reload the Scene

Unfortunately, you cannot manually save in Oxenfree 2, so frequently jumping between scenes to test different consequences isn't always accessible or very enjoyable. But there is a way.

Let's say we choose a response that we feel could potentially impact the story and want to undo it without having to start over. As long as the game has not been saved, as indicated by a small rotating circle in the bottom left corner, you can return to the main menu and reload your last save point.

Generally, saving only occurs during loading screens and some more significant areas, such as Garland. So, while this is definitely not the prettiest or most reliable method, it does work.

Listen to Radio Stations to Unlock Hidden Clues and Optional Objectives

The radio is used for more than just opening time tears, as you can also use it to listen to various radio shows, such as 88.1, which Maria, the high school radio DJ, hosts. Tuning into her show will allow you to contact her via your walkie.

Not only does Maria offer helpful information about the different regions of Camena, but she'll also share vital information about Olivia, Charlie, and Violet -- the teenagers involved in the Parentage cult. Maria is also tied to an achievement, so be sure to keep in contact with her.

Frequently Check In With Your Walkie Contacts

Before entering and leaving each area and region around Camena, check your walkie for potential conversations with your contacts, as leaving an area without checking could potentially see you missing out on information only available during certain places or times.

Keep An Eye Out For Collectibles

Collectibles will only unlock after 11 PM when Tap to Reveal. These collectibles come in the form of Letters written by Maggie Adler and provide plenty of backstory about Camena, Parentage, and the unexplainable activity occurring around the coastal town.

Look for Thought Bubbles As They Indicate Relationships are Changing

After conversing with characters, you'll sometimes notice that they'll have a thought bubble appear, and a character's head will be inside. This indicates that your response has just altered their relationship with you, whether for the good or the bad.

While there is no way to judge whether your answer affected them positively or negatively, you can only assume based on the response you gave. Ultimately, though, remaining friendly and calm while also avoiding unnecessary conflict between the Parentage members should see you unlocking most achievements during a single playthrough.

Complete Optional Objectives

Throughout the game, you’ll encounter optional objectives for people you’ll meet – such as Nick Stuart. As mentioned earlier, most optional objectives are tied to achievements. While the notepad will sometimes remind you to check in, it's ultimately up to you to ensure that you check in with your walkie contacts whenever new conversations are available.