Finding Clarissa inOxenfreeis one of the more emotionally intense and mysterious parts of the game. As the story unfolds on Edwards Island, your task to locate and rescue Clarissa becomes more complicated by supernatural elements, shifting realities, and personal tension among the group. The game’s non-linear structure and dialogue-driven choices make this section particularly impactful. Understanding the path to Clarissa, the puzzles you’ll encounter, and the emotional choices you must make is essential to progressing the story and unlocking potential endings. Whether you’re playing for the first time or returning for a different outcome, knowing how to find Clarissa efficiently will keep the narrative flowing smoothly.
Clarissa’s Disappearance and Story Context
What Triggers the Search for Clarissa
The search for Clarissa begins after the radio anomaly event at the cave. After the group is separated, Jonas and Alex find themselves on a mission to reunite with Ren and Clarissa. Clarissa is the more distant and emotionally complex member of the group, and her storyline is tightly woven with the game’s supernatural themes. Your first goal is to locate her at the Communication Tower and Hardin Tower regions, but the story takes eerie turns along the way.
Clarissa’s Connection to the Island
Clarissa is deeply affected by the loss of her boyfriend Michael, Alex’s brother, which makes her presence on the island more emotionally charged. This connection becomes important as the ghostly forces seem to exploit her grief. Understanding this backstory is helpful for making meaningful choices during the encounters that follow.
First Location: Facilities and Communications Tower
Getting to the Facilities
Your first lead takes you toward the Harden Tower and the surrounding facilities. To get there:
- Leave the cave area with Jonas after the initial anomaly sequence.
- Proceed through the woods and eventually reach Epiphany Fields.
- From there, head north to reach the Communication Tower and Harden Tower.
Along the way, use the radio at certain points to activate signals and unlock doors. You’ll also encounter your first serious signs of ghostly interference, such as flickering screens and distorted audio.
Radio Signal and Locked Doors
To progress in the facilities area, use Alex’s radio to find specific frequencies that affect the environment. Tuning the radio correctly is essential for opening doors or triggering events tied to the story. The puzzles are subtle and rely on environmental clues or sound feedback. If a door is locked, look for symbols or signs near radio towers to find the right frequency.
The First Encounter with Clarissa
Clarissa at the US Army RCS
Once you reach the old military facility, you’ll have your first ghost-influenced interaction with Clarissa. She appears trapped or possibly possessed, and her behavior becomes increasingly erratic. During this part:
- Explore the building and find Clarissa seemingly unharmed.
- A radio signal will trigger an unnatural event that causes her to vanish.
- She may appear to leap from a building, but this is later revealed to be part of a time loop or illusion.
This moment serves as a turning point in the supernatural themes of the game. It also creates urgency for Alex and Jonas, making finding Clarissa a top priority.
Unraveling the Possession Mechanics
The ghosts or entities on the island manipulate time and perception, often using Clarissa as a conduit. Throughout your journey, she is frequently possessed, speaks in riddles or distorted voices, and sometimes communicates cryptically. You’ll need to stay calm during these moments and use your radio effectively to disrupt the interference.
Following Clarissa Through Time Distortions
Understanding Time Loops
After the initial encounter, Clarissa becomes trapped in a series of time loops. These loops transport you to past events, including moments from Clarissa’s past with Michael. To continue the search:
- Head to Milner Outpost, an abandoned military base.
- Watch for objects or areas that glow red or buzz when your radio is near.
- Use the radio to alter timelines or restore broken sequences.
These sequences aren’t just mechanical puzzles they also reveal character development. Listening carefully to what Clarissa says can help you piece together her emotional state and the choices you’ll soon need to make.
Reuniting and Separation
Each time you think you’ve found Clarissa, the ghosts pull her away again. Sometimes she’ll leave cryptic messages or appear as a vision. These moments guide you toward your next location, such as the Adler Estate or the radio tower. Your choices during these scenes can impact how cooperative or resistant Clarissa becomes later.
Final Encounters at the Adler Estate
Finding Maggie Adler’s Notes
To help free Clarissa from the ghostly influence, you need to gather key information from Maggie Adler’s estate. Her notes provide critical insights into the radio signals and past incidents on the island. Exploring the estate includes:
- Unlocking the main house using radio frequencies and clues.
- Collecting letters and logs scattered throughout the property.
- Learning about the USS Kanaloa and the origin of the island’s haunting.
These clues help Alex build a strategy to confront the ghosts and rescue Clarissa once and for all. At this point, your decisions during previous conversations will begin to affect how cooperative Clarissa is.
Final Radio Puzzle and Clarissa’s Fate
In the closing segments of the game, you’ll confront the ghostly forces in their strongest form. Clarissa plays a central role, either as a victim or as a bridge between the living and the supernatural entities. The final radio puzzle requires precise tuning, awareness of previously heard frequencies, and calm decision-making.
- Use the radio at portals or static-heavy zones to open rifts.
- Pay attention to dialogue hints and audio cues.
- Clarissa may ask you questions or test your memories answer truthfully for the best chance at redemption.
Depending on your choices, Clarissa may be freed, stay behind, or vanish entirely. These outcomes also affect the final summary at the end of the game, where your actions are reviewed in context.
Tips for Finding Clarissa More Effectively
- Explore every path: Don’t rush through areas. Take time to explore buildings and side paths.
- Listen carefully: Audio clues often point you in the right direction or reveal key backstory.
- Use your radio frequently: Even if nothing obvious is happening, tuning to different frequencies can trigger hidden events or progress the story.
- Be mindful of choices: How you treat Clarissa in dialogue can affect her behavior and willingness to be helped.
- Watch for visual cues: Flickering lights, red static, and strange shadows usually indicate a ghost event or time loop.
Finding Clarissa in Oxenfree is more than just a mission objective it’s a journey through emotional trauma, supernatural mystery, and branching narrative choices. As you track her through the haunted ruins of Edwards Island, you’ll uncover secrets, confront inner demons, and make decisions that shape not only her fate but the outcome of the entire group. Using your radio, paying close attention to your surroundings, and making thoughtful choices will ensure you find Clarissa and possibly help her escape the ghostly grasp that threatens to consume her. Whether she survives, vanishes, or stays trapped depends on you.