Olija Reviews

Olija is ranked in the 75th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7.5 / 10.0
Jan 21, 2022

As this game is available on Game Pass if you’re into 2D action platformers then I highly recommend it. It’s a solid 4 to 5 hours of engaging combat in a genre that rarely feels this heavy. That goes for the story as well which uses a minimalist style to tell a tale of lonely sadness. Olija doesn’t give the best first impression, but if you stick with it I think you’ll end up having one hell of a good time.

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B+
Apr 28, 2021

If you enjoy platformers with a really great art style and fantastic story, I'd absolutely recommend Olija. The gameplay alone is a nice draw to the game and it breaks the mold of platforming rogue-lites that have been going around lately.

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Unscored
Mar 2, 2021

Sometimes it’s good to get into a game that doesn’t overstay its welcome and can be beaten as quickly as Olija. It’s got very little fat and values the time you spend with it by dropping you into a very tightly designed journey, and honestly I can’t fault Skeleton Crew Studios for how short this game can be if it’s as beautiful and enjoyable as it is. I could think of worse ways to spend the short hours it took to get through Olija, and I’m glad that I did.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 27, 2021

Olija is a fun and engrossing action-adventure game that has you fighting foes and solving puzzles with a magical harpoon. A little on the short side, but a fun experience that leaves you wanting more

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70%
Feb 26, 2021

If you're looking for a simple yet fun platformer that's inspired by somewhat different titles than your usual indie games are, to play over the weekend, you won't go wrong with Olija

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8 / 10
Feb 16, 2021

Olija has a fun gimmick, great visuals, and is only occasionally let down by levels that don't quite fully make use of its fun, core mechanic.

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Feb 15, 2021

The short length, relative lack of difficulty and couple of mechanical niggles stop it from being great, but if you’re looking for a new 2D action-adventure game, you won’t be disappointed.

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Recommended
Feb 15, 2021

A brilliant central mechanic and a game of real craft and character.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2021

Unfortunately, there's little to bring in those who simply lack those gaming memories. The pixelated look can easily be judged as hard to understand, stifling experimentation and making it hard to enjoy the exploration. The harpoon mechanics are solid but they cannot sustain the game on their own. More care to make it accessible for a wider range of players would have made the entire experience more attractive.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2021

This is interesting legend about castaway with courage and harpoon. Just a bit short.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 9, 2021

The product of a one man team, Olija is a tight and entertaining seafarer's voyage that manages to be memorable despite not bringing anything particularly revolutionary to the table. Instead, it's in the atmosphere and tone that Olija excels, proving that the deep blue sea isn't full of just terrors.

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Feb 8, 2021

Olija may fail to make as big of a splash as its influences, but it's a worthwhile adventure with a palpable atmosphere.

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75 / 100
Feb 8, 2021

Featuring an intriguing narrative and fun combat, Olija tells the story of a simple hero in several adversities, with numerous positive points to note. It could have more content or be a little longer, but it still pleases anyone who is interested.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Feb 5, 2021

It may be brief, but Olija confidently blends satisfying action and engaging exploration for a treat that shouldn't be overlooked.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 4, 2021

It all comes down to the aesthetic-the muted color palette, the hushed tones when characters speak, the overarching sense of loss and despair that permeates the game. And most notably, those archaic visuals that look like they're from the latest Sierra game you and your friend play on his Tandy computer every afternoon after school. Olija roots its mysteries in the ever-distant, increasingly forgotten past, with all the warmth and sadness that implies.

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80 / 100
Feb 4, 2021

I think adventures like Olija are quite appreciated, with its simple layout but worked and with clear effort behind, and a direct gameplay but with substance as well. An adventure game that combines combat, platforming, classic story, well crafted narrative and art, and fun, quite fun. The so classic and even necessary "what it does, it does well".

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Feb 4, 2021

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.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 2, 2021

I don’t think anyone will regret their admittedly limited time with Olija, it’s a joyride from start to finish. An all around great title with some excellent combat, exploration, and phenomenal music.

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Mixed
Feb 1, 2021

A great mix of mechanics and ideas inspired by the classics of its genre, that does not live to its full potential.

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8 / 10.0
Jan 31, 2021

Olija is a fun mystical little game that doesn’t overstay its welcome lasting only 6 or 7 hours at best, boss battles aren’t really that difficult even the final one felt way to simple. Really the only thing that will impede your gameplay is the game locking up, we were playing on the Switch and we found the game having moments of slowdown nearing the end to the point it crashed in the middle of a boss fight and even silently crashed during the final cutscene with the screen staying black and the music fading away.

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