Olija

 Switch
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Nintendo Life
    Jan 31, 2021
    70
    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.
  2. IGN
    Jan 28, 2021
    70
    Olija is a memorable 2D action platformer with great combat that is over all too soon with little reason to return.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Jan 28, 2021
    70
    Olija has a wonderful story to tell that takes influence from some of your favorite seafaring adventures. While the technical hiccups can be disappointing and the major portion of the gameplay can feel unexciting, the boss fights and story sections bring to life a drab and dreary world that I would thoroughly enjoy seeing more of after the patches roll out.
  5. App Trigger
    Jan 28, 2021
    65
    Solid controls and fun exploration mechanics are somewhat marred by graphical slowdown and constant darkness — both in lighting and in depressing visuals and themes.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 28, 2021
    60
    Quotation forthcoming.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Eurogamer
    Feb 15, 2021
    A brilliant central mechanic and a game of real craft and character. [Eurogamer Recommended]

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best Switch Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Elite_Institute
    Mar 5, 2022
    10
    "I really cannot understate how much I loved Olija. Not a single moment of the game felt wasted, nor was any of it less than fantastic. It’s a"I really cannot understate how much I loved Olija. Not a single moment of the game felt wasted, nor was any of it less than fantastic. It’s a little bit of a shame that the game flies by, with rarely much chance to experiment with all the hats and weapons you acquire, but at the same time I am glad it ended when it did rather than stretching itself too thin. Skeleton Crew Studio should be really proud of the work they did with the game, and I hope it ends up being as successful as it deserves."

    https://theeliteinstitute.net/2021/02/10/olija/    … Full Review »
  2. Daisuk
    Apr 20, 2021
    7
    There's a lot to love about this game - it's got bizarre enemies, great soundtrack and sound fx, very interesting voice acting (although IThere's a lot to love about this game - it's got bizarre enemies, great soundtrack and sound fx, very interesting voice acting (although I have no clue if the language used is even real), and the story is actually quite compelling - throw in loads of subtle humor and even more weirdness and bizarre **** sprinkled in here and there - and you've got a winner. The graphics are just one of a kind. So lo-fi, but very original and nice. Combat is a bit on the easy side though, the only boss I needed to fight multiple times was the final one - and the game is short (4-5 hours). Original gem - would've gotten a higher score if the combat was more difficult, and the game longer.… Full Review »
  3. nusco
    Mar 10, 2021
    8
    Olija is a short, evocative 8-bits action game. During victorian times, an impoverished local lord and his sailors get marooned on a farawayOlija is a short, evocative 8-bits action game. During victorian times, an impoverished local lord and his sailors get marooned on a faraway eastern archipelago. While longing to return home, the castaways discover a lurking evil, a mysterious oriental lady, and a magic harpoon.

    PROS:
    - SHORT AND SWEET: Just a few hours of gameplay, but there's absolutely no fat on these bones.
    - GREAT ATMOSPHERE: Between the evocative story and the brilliant sound design, Olija takes you to its world and doesn't let you go until the end.
    - STRAIGHTFORWARD, SATISFYING GAMEPLAY: Olija doesn't mess around with complicated challenges and grinding. It's a simple, straightforward action game that takes you from combat to satisfying combat.

    CONS:
    - DOESN'T LAST: Short and sweet it is, but maybe a bit too short–and once the credits roll, it doesn't give you any reason to stay around.
    - NOT MUCH OF A CHALLENGE: True, not every game needs to be hard. However, a bit more challenge might have made Olija more substantial. Even the hardest boss fights took me two or three attempts at most.
    - SLIGHT MECHANICS: The combat side of Olija could have used a bit more depth. As they are now, the mechanics encourage you to button-mash your way through most combat encounters.    … Full Review »
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