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. 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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