Olija

ShackNewsDonovan Erskine

9/10

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.

Game InformerMarcus Stewart

8.5/10

Olija stars Lord Faraday, leader of a struggling fishing village who gets shipwrecked during an expedition. He awakens alone in Terraphage, a collection of islands corrupted by an ancient evil and home to a foreign civilization governed by the mysterious Lady Olija. Who is Olija, what is this malevolent force, and how does Faraday rescue his crew and return home? Answering those tantalizing questions is a blast, because Olija looks good and plays better, making it one of the year’s first pleasant surprises.

PC GamerAlex Wiltshire

83/100

This darkly atmospheric action adventure delivers great grapple.

Jump Dash RollDerek Johnson

8/10

Olija has a fun gimmick, great visuals, and is only occasionally let down by levels that don’t quite fully make use of its fun, core mechanic.

Gamers HeroesJohnny Hurricane

80/100

With Olija, what you see is what you get. It is well-executed for the most part and is an absolute joy to play. If this is your type of game, don't hesitate to pick this one up.

GameSpewKim Snaith

8/10

But that’s about the only complaint I can leverage at Olija. Aside from occasionally getting lost, every moment spent with this short adventure game is a joy. You’ll see the credits roll in less than six hours, but you’ll likely be itching to jump back in and continue exploring after that. The harpoon makes for a unique and useful weapon; whether you’re using it to destroy your foes or to transport yourself across the screen, it’s a fluid and rewarding experience. One of the first games of 2021 I’ve sank my teeth into, Olija certainly has set the bar high.

XboxEraJesse 'Doncabesa' Norris

7.6/10

As this game is available on Game Pass if you’re into 2D action platformers then I highly recommend it. It’s a solid 4 to 5 hours of engaging combat in a genre that rarely feels this heavy. That goes for the story as well which uses a minimalist style to tell a tale of lonely sadness. Olija doesn’t give the best first impression, but if you stick with it I think you’ll end up having one hell of a good time.

Press StartBrodie Gibbons

7.5/10

The product of a one man team, Olija is a tight and entertaining seafarer’s voyage that manages to be memorable despite not bringing anything particularly revolutionary to the table. Instead, it’s in the atmosphere and tone that Olija excels, proving that the deep blue sea isn’t full of just terrors.

Capsule ComputersAdmir Brkic

7.5/10

Expect fluid combat and a captivating atmosphere, with an art style that might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Checkpoint GamingSam Harkin

6/10

When I first saw Olija being advertised, the thing that really struck me was the gameplay. The character fluidly teleporting around the battlefield and carving pixelated chunks of flesh from their opponents. I knew nothing of the context for what was happening. I didn’t really care. It looked hectic, vicious and all kinds of enticing. In practice, all these attributes lie at the core of Olija. There’s just a lot of wasted time that surrounds it.

TechRaptorWilliam Worrall

6/10

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.

TheGamerJamie Latour

This tale of a man shipwrecked in a strange land feels like it ends before we can get invested in its world and characters.