Lucky for fans who enjoyed the first game, Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals will utilize many of the same gameplay mechanics and is set on an island not far from the location in Oxenfree. Players will be presented with unique dialogue options that can shape Riley's story and lead to different endings. Additionally, the radio dial, which Alex used to open and close portals in Oxenfree, will also reappear in the sequel. However, Night School Studio will now take it a step further.
As shown in the preview for Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals, time manipulation will be more prominent than it was in the original installment. Mostly, turning the radio dial simply allowed Alex to tune into various channels and listen to broadcasts. Sometimes, though, the radio dial would solve some puzzles like unlocking doors and speaking with the ghost that possesses Clarissa. It also can open or close portals to another dimension that houses these ghosts. But the additional ways that time can be changed and warped in the sequel are largely reminiscent of Elizabeth's power to open tears in BioShock Infinite.
Time Tears in BioShock Infinite
BioShock Infinite, the third and most recent installment of the series, is nothing like Oxenfree in terms of story or gameplay otherwise. The protagonist Booker sets out to find "the girl," Elizabeth, who is locked away in a tower. After he's able to find and save her, however, she becomes his companion, and he soon after discovers her strange ability to open tears in time. At first, the element is simple: Elizabeth can open tears to pull resources from other timelines such as health kits and ammo. But further down the line, the pair end up jumping into a tear with critical events and people that more closely resemble what they need. This is precisely what Riley and her companion Jacob do in Oxenfree 2.
Time Tears and Portals in Oxenfree 2
During the Oxenfree 2 preview, Night School showcased a section of the game where Riley and Jacob traverse through a cave, and upon coming to a dead end, they open a tear in time to find another way through. They're then taken to a mine in 1899. However, just as they're about to exit through the other side of the tear, presumably back to present day, the mine begins to cave in. This poses an interesting question: did they go to the exact moment in time the mine collapsed, or did Riley's manipulation of time make this happen?
It might even be that Oxenfree's time tears share more in common with BioShock Infinite's than just the gameplay mechanic itself. During the preview, Night School hinted that messing with time could cause disruptions in the space-time continuum. While this isn't a major element in Infinite, it's ultimately stopping the creation of timelines that stops Comstock, the main antagonist, from existing in the first place. And, when asked if Riley's choices could affect these time tears and time itself, Night School said it didn't want to spoil anything major, but the short answer was "yes."
So it's possible that Oxenfree 2's storyline could follow a similar path to Booker and Elizabeth's story. The two end up jumping into tears for various reasons, and this sometimes causes the space-time continuum to become unstable to those around them. And from what's currently known, Riley and Jacob are amenable to using tears to their advantage, so this poses many interesting questions, such as how this will affect the universe around them and the timeline they currently live in.
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals releases in 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch.