Olija

"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"

"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 …"

"Olija spearheads a grimly thrilling adventure which is over too soon."

"Olija is a unique, intriguing adventure that brings players to a strange land. It isn&s;t long but its length is enough. The visuals and atmosphere are first-rate, as are the combat and level design. All of that makes it an …"

"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 …"

"At the end of the day, Olija is a voyage that is quite a blast, even though it ends quickly."

"Olija is a new action-adventure game made by Skeleton Crew Studio, published by Devolver Digital, and showcasing all the hallmarks of an indie darling. With fast-paced combat and an addictive gameplay loop, it has the makings of another decent slasher. …"

"Olija juggles action and narrative in a strange, wonderful balancing act that never leans on one element too heavily. It will mystify curious players seeking a journey inspired by the past that never wears out its welcome."

"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."

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

"The product of a one man team, Olija is a tight and entertaining seafarer&s;s voyage that manages to be memorable despite not bringing anything particularly revolutionary to the table. Instead, it&s;s in the atmosphere and tone that Olija excels, proving …"

"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 …"

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

"Olija is more than just the sum of its parts. Its action-platform-with-a-bit-of-metrodavania formula is nothing new, like its art style or the mechanics made available by the mystic harpoon. But when every single part works in conjunction with the others, …"

"Unfortunately, there&s;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 …"

"Olija is a beautiful minimalistic game, that includes some interesting mechanics, such as the use of a magic harpoon and the Lunar Sword, to classic "metroidvania" gameplay."

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

"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&s;ll captivate you for a short while and provide you …"

"Olija has a fun gimmick, great visuals, and is only occasionally let down by levels that don&s;t quite fully make use of its fun, core mechanic."

"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, …"

"Olija is a unique platforming experience that will captivate from start to finish. Faraday&s;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 …"

"If you&s;re fond of cinematic platformers, mysterious settings, and swashbuckling adventure, you&s;ve washed up in the right place."

"Anyone who can stomach the tired minimalistic 2D pixel art will find that Olija has quite a bit going for it. The low difficulty may turn off most hardcore players, and the violence may be too much for kids, but …"

"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&s;re from the latest …"

"Olija is truly a great experience, a delicious and clever Pixel Art Swashbuckler video game that offers a great setting, gorgeous visuals, a world and a story to love fondly. But sadly, it is really too easy and too short."

"I don’t think the story or characters or themes of Olija will stick with me for a long time, but I will remember the game nonetheless. I will remember the world actually, as if I was the one braving mosquito …"

"Olija is a masterpiece, a graceful and gorgeous 2D action platformer that oozes style and substance, with engaging gameplay, fast, fluid action, and varied challenges to always keep you on your toes. An engrossing narrative and some truly incredible sequences …"

"Olija doesn&s;t do enough to be regarded as generally good, but at the same time doesn&s;t frustrate to the point of truly damaging the experience."

"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 …"

"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 …"

"One of the first games of 2021 I’ve sank my teeth into, Olija certainly has set the bar high."

"It may be brief, but Olija confidently blends satisfying action and engaging exploration for a treat that shouldn&s;t be overlooked."

"Olija&s;s quick, zippy combat, platforming puzzles, and minimalist storytelling all shine in a small, pixelated trifle."

"Olija is a memorable 2D action platformer with great combat that is over all too soon with little reason to return."

"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, …"

"Visually, Olija might not look like much, but you&s;d be surprised how atmospheric it is. A handful of bugs aside, this is an intriguing adventure worth taking."

"Olija enters a crowded genre and its gameplay does little to revolutionize the scene, but it still manages to stand out with a unique visual style that greatly contributes to its intriguing, atmospheric tone. Anyone interested in the story should …"

"Olija might not be long and might not have the most interesting combat, but the story and style of the game make it worth playing."