Olija

 Switch
Olija Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Summary: Olija is a game about Faraday's quest, a man shipwrecked then trapped in the mysterious country of Terraphage.

    Armed with a legendary harpoon, he and other castaways try to leave this hostile country to return to their homelands. Through adventurous exploration, narration and razor    Olija is a game about Faraday's quest, a man shipwrecked then trapped in the mysterious country of Terraphage.

    Armed with a legendary harpoon, he and other castaways try to leave this hostile country to return to their homelands.

    Through adventurous exploration, narration and razor sharp combat, the player will discover a strange world and its inhabitants, including Olija, an enigmatic lady that Faraday finds himself bound to over time. Inspired by swashbuckling tales and cinematic adventure games, Olija is a story about facing the unknown in adversity.

    - Explore a mysterious and handcrafted world inspired by sailor's legends and Asian fantasy.

    - Wield the Harpoon of legend and rethink movement through platforming, puzzle and combat.

    - Rescue fellow castaways and meet curious characters to learn more about Terraphage and the enigmatic Olija.

    - Beautiful melancholic soundtrack inspired by Flamenco, lo-fi and traditional Japanese music.

    - Craft magic hats!    … Expand

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6 Minutes Of Exclusive Olija Gameplay

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Shindig
    Mar 10, 2021
    90
    It’s that melancholy feeling that pervades every aspect of Olija that makes it so effective. This is a game about being lost, about being isolated, about being a stranger in a strange land where you looked down upon even when you’re not being outright attacked. It’s bleak, powerfully so. But it’s also a game about hope: a game about finding your own place even in such hostile and lonely world, and about how, sometimes, the most foreign land imaginable can end up being the place you call home.
  2. Vooks
    Jan 28, 2021
    90
    A 2D pixel art puzzle platformer that is a cut above the rest. With fantastic world building and atmosphere, Olija’s cinematic experience flourishes in delightful ways, yet is restrained where it counts.
  3. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Jan 28, 2021
    85
    At the end of the day, Olija is a voyage that is quite a blast, even though it ends quickly. Swapping out various weapons while building a combo that ends in a devastating harpoon explosion is quite a thrill. Additionally, the denizens and missing crewmates you find along the way contribute to a mysterious tale that will keep you guessing as to what is truly going on. And I enjoy any title that brings the seminal Another World to mind. As long as you don’t mind a compact trek that is a bit on the easy side, you’ll find Olija is well worth a look.
  4. TheSixthAxis
    Jan 28, 2021
    80
    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.
  5. GAMINGbible
    Jan 28, 2021
    80
    A thoroughly enjoyable game that's quite unlike anything I've played in a while. None of Olija's core ideas are particularly original, it has to be said, but it delights in picking the best elements of classic 16-bit adventure games and platformers to produce something stylish, striking, and oh-so strange.
  6. Vandal
    Jan 28, 2021
    75
    Olija is a fun, 2D action adventure that feels great if you want a break from complex, endless AAA. It’s too simple, and it’s only at the end when you catch a glimpse of all its possibilities, but we had a good time with it.
  7. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 28, 2021
    60
    Quotation forthcoming.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  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/    … Expand
  2. 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.    … Expand
  4. 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.… Expand

Trailers

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100
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