How to get the best ending in OXENFREE
Hang behind with Jonas when you first get to town to hear what he has to say. It’ll give him a good first impression of you.
DO NOT rat out Ren in the game of Truth or Slap. It is possible to get him and Nona to date if you do (I did it once, no idea how), but it’s much more likely that they’ll date if you don’t. You can also help them along by talking Ren up to Nona.
Don’t leave Ren in the forest to get Clarissa from the fort first. Make sure he’s safe and sound in the Dick Tower before you go after her. He’s seriously freaked out at this point in the game, and his best friend abandoning him does not help that.
Be sure to remind yourself via the talking reflection to: Don’t influence Michael about Clarissa. He’s much happier and she’s much nicer when they’re together. Tell Michael to go to school here. If Michael doesn’t plan on leaving town, he and Alex won’t go on one last swimming trip and he won’t drown. Don’t let Jonas talk to his mom. If you do, he just up and disappears.
Don’t hand Clarissa over to the ghosts. This one should be a no-brainer.
Spend time with Jonas. The best ending involves the two of you being best buddies, so don’t give him grief about spending so much time with him.
Do not being Ren with you to town. This strains your relationship with Jonas. Also, if you leave him and Nona alone in the tower, it makes them more likely to date.
Get all the Adler notes. Not only does this help you understand more about the ghosts and provide you with a fun distraction, it’s the thing that really gets through to them. (Not to mention that its most likely required for the best ending, gameplay-wise)
Just be nice in your dialogue choices. Everyone will like you much better if you do.
When you get to the best ending, you might be a little confused and frustrated. After all, it seems like all the hard work you did, getting Ren and Nona to date, bringing Michael back to life, making friends with Clarissa, has been erased.
But you need to remember: each version of Alex lives on. When the time loop at the end of every bad ending happens, it leaves a version of Alex behind. That Alex continues with her life in the way the events on the island have affected it.
That means that with the best ending, there are two of the best possible versions of Alex out there: one whose brother is still alive and has a new best buddy in Jonas, and another who never even sets foot into the cave in the first place.
Also, that version of Alex that never goes to the island? She’s the last Alex. You fixed the time loop. Alex can live happily ever after now. Thanks to you.
