Olija Reviews
A brilliant central mechanic and a game of real craft and character.
Olija is a memorable 2D action platformer with great combat that is over all too soon with little reason to return.
Olija spearheads a grimly thrilling adventure which is over too soon.
It may be brief, but Olija confidently blends satisfying action and engaging exploration for a treat that shouldn't be overlooked.
Olija's quick, zippy combat, platforming puzzles, and minimalist storytelling all shine in a small, pixelated trifle.
Olija doesn't do enough to be regarded as generally good, but at the same time doesn't frustrate to the point of truly damaging the experience.
Olija is a piratical adventure that really, really pays attention to atmosphere. From its bombastic music, which echoes similarly pirate-themed Return of the Obra Dinn, to its arthouse-cinema-style sudden cuts to black, Olija is possibly the most cinematically dramatic indie game we've seen in quite some time.
Olija is incredibly cinematic, despite its minimalist approach to art style. The game still feels fantastical thanks to an incredible attention to detail with both the visual and sound design. In addition, Olija tells a heartfelt story with important themes, while keeping satisfying gameplay at the center of it all. It becomes even more impressive when you realize the game was practically developed by one person, Thomas Olsson of Skeleton Crew Studios. Olija is a pleasant treat and likely an early frontrunner for one of the best indie titles of 2021.
Olija is a well-made and enjoyable action-adventure; lacking, however, of qualitative touches able to distinguish it from a tough competition. It remains, in any case, a well-made and enjoyable game.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Olija is a beautiful minimalistic game, that includes some interesting mechanics, such as the use of a magic harpoon and the Lunar Sword, to classic "metroidvania" gameplay.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Olija subverts the expectations of an unforgiving old-school adventure for something more fun and breezing, verging on slapstick combat, yet still dripping with atmosphere thanks to its impressionistic pixel art and excellent audio. Being a castaway makes for a good escape.
This game made me feel like a swashbuckling stranger in a foreign land for a couple of evenings, and left me wanting more. What’s there is lean and sometimes exquisite, but there wasn’t time to fully explore the different weapons (or try on all those dapper hats) before Faraday’s adventure came to an end after around six hours. I could have spent twice as long exploring this beautiful and mysterious creation, but I’m grateful nonetheless for the journey I’ve had.
Overall Olija is a good game. I just wish it was longer. I finished a fair portion of the game in around 5 hours and I can’t imagine I would have spent much longer had I decided to get all the collectibles. However, I think $15 is the perfect price for Olija; I much rather have a short good game than a long mediocre one and being left wanting more is a much better problem to have than never wanting to touch a game again. Just know that Olija is a concise but strong experience and a great way to start off 2021.
We hope that Skeleton Crew Studio will not stop at one game, and we'll learn the further story of relationships between Faraday and Olija in the sequel.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Olija enters a crowded genre and its gameplay does little to revolutionize the scene, but it still manages to stand out with a unique visual style that greatly contributes to its intriguing, atmospheric tone. Anyone interested in the story should go in blind, as a sense of mystery adds to the experience. The Devolver catalog has often curated the best in niche indie games, and Olija is another good addition for those looking for a unique, moody, maritime experience.
Olija is more than just the sum of its parts. Its action-platform-with-a-bit-of-metrodavania formula is nothing new, like its art style or the mechanics made available by the mystic harpoon. But when every single part works in conjunction with the others, Olija becomes a super rewarding game, where puzzles make you feel smart and fights make you feel strong: not every game needs to be super difficult.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I don’t think the story or characters or themes of Olija will stick with me for a long time, but I will remember the game nonetheless. I will remember the world actually, as if I was the one braving mosquito filled bogs and slimy tombs. Thomas Olsson and Skeleton Crew Studio aren’t telling stories so much as they are crafting worlds. That’s what kind of game Olija is: a world you can get lost in.
Visually, Olija might not look like much, but you'd be surprised how atmospheric it is. A handful of bugs aside, this is an intriguing adventure worth taking.
Olija is a masterpiece, a graceful and gorgeous 2D action platformer that oozes style and substance, with engaging gameplay, fast, fluid action, and varied challenges to always keep you on your toes. An engrossing narrative and some truly incredible sequences make it one of the best indie games available on PS4.
Olija may fail to make as big of a splash as its influences, but it's a worthwhile adventure with a palpable atmosphere.