Olija Reviews
Olija is a game that delivers a pleasant experience in all its areas. The platform challenges are very good, the combat is satisfactory and the mechanics of exploring and upgrading items serve what they are intended for. But it doesn't take away the feeling that the title could offer a little more, mainly in the quantity of content, in the quality of the puzzles (which, after all, are very rare) and in the development of the story. However, this does not diminish in any way the great journey, which will please those who love the classics of literature and games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Olija is a unique platforming experience that will captivate from start to finish. Faraday's journey takes you to an intriguing world that has as many mysteries as it does scenic vistas. It may get tedious in parts, but the limited run-time of the title helps it stay mostly on track.
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 a proof that love stories do not need dialogue. It is quite impressive how well this game shows characters’ emotions in spite of its stylistic choices. It is also a rather fun, albeit not too challenging, slasher with some fantastic boss fights.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Short-but-sweet, Olija successfully reels you into its intoxicating world and tight gameplay but with few reasons to return to its oil-slicked shores.
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.
Philosophic and touching story which doesn't quite suit its gameplay.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Expect fluid combat and a captivating atmosphere, with an art style that might not be everyone's cup of tea.
If you're in for an indie that's all about pure aesthetics and atmosphere, then Olija is just for you.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Olija is, simply put, a great 2D action-adventure game. Developers Thomas Olsson and Skeleton Crew Studio knew exactly what they set out to deliver. This is a focused, refined adventure that'll captivate you for a short while and provide you with a bite-sized albeit worthwhile journey.
I want to like Olija much more than I do. When the game works it truly works. The gameplay is slick and brutal and fluid. I will never deny the enjoyment that this game provides. The problem is quite simple, which is that there are only so many fresh, exciting encounters the game can give you. They are a finite supply. However, the time wasted through unclear instruction and a lack of accessibility to information is unforgivable. Perhaps other players will find the ambiguity to be less of a problem, but for me it was a real obstacle.
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.
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
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
As Faraday, the setup is simple, you're a lone shipwreck survivor left to pick up the pieces, rescue those lost or trapped, and lead them through a fantastical world. Rebuild.
But for myself, who liked every aspect of Olija, the whole package is a flawed but thoroughly impressive ride. There is a lot to enjoy here, in a game which lets the player feel alienated and disempowered one moment, and then agile and dangerous the next. It wins even more points for the way that it perfects the cinematic platformer formula which has a lot of nostalgia value, but not a lot of modern interpretations. I love that Olija arrives as a palette cleanser to the Metroidvanias and the rogue-lites of the side-scroller scene, and I wish all the success for it.
Olija is a great action platformer and one that throws back to the best of those which have come before.
With it’s very retro pixelated look you could walk into Olija expecting a similarly old-school experience, but you’d be wrong...
It was the fast-paced, gory combat and unique visual direction that first drew me to Olija, and while I enjoyed my time with it, there isn’t much here that hasn’t been done better elsewhere. I’m always impressed by games made by small teams and this is no different – just be sure to go in with proper expectations.
Olija is a memorable 2D action platformer with great combat that is over all too soon with little reason to return.