Olija

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 327 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Olija Game Cover
Olija is a unique, intriguing adventure that brings players to a strange land. It isn'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 easy game to recommend.
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"Olija is a single-player Fantasy Hack and Slash game with an intriguing story, fantastic game mechanics, excellent graphics, and stunning music. Embark on a journey as Faraday, a shipwrecked man trapped in the mysterious Terraphage, where he uses a legendary harpoon to explore, rescue castaways, and uncover the enigmatic Olija's secrets, all set in a beautifully crafted world inspired by sailor's legends and Asian fantasy."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 327 reviews
story48 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique harpoon mechanic that enhances both combat and platforming, making gameplay feel fluid and satisfying.
  • The art style and sound design create an immersive atmosphere, with beautiful pixel graphics and a captivating soundtrack that complements the narrative.
  • Despite its short length, the game offers engaging storytelling and character development, with moments that evoke strong emotions.
  • The game suffers from long loading times and unskippable cutscenes, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • Combat can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with many encounters relying on button mashing rather than strategic gameplay.
  • The story, while intriguing, can be vague and may leave players wanting more clarity and depth in character motivations and plot progression.
  • story142 mentions

    The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its emotional depth and atmospheric storytelling, while others find it bland and lacking in originality. Many highlight the minimalist narrative style, which relies heavily on visual and environmental cues, but some feel it leaves too much unexplained or vague. Overall, while the story is engaging for some, it may not resonate with everyone, leading to a bittersweet or unsatisfying conclusion for many players.

    • “The storyline is one of heartbreak, sacrifice, and heroism.”
    • “The story is unique and just the right amount of eerie.”
    • “With an incredible soundtrack, mysterious and haunting world, a simple and effectively told story (with some surprises!) and core gameplay and combat mechanics that make it an absolute ball to play, Olija is short, sweet, and well worth your time.”
    • “In spite of the evocative 'dark-setting' premise, the story, or rather the little bit of a story that there is, turns out to be bland and adheres to the most trite standards.”
    • “The story is not great and there are a lot of long pauses.”
    • “There's not enough gameplay (my run lasted 6 hours, and there are a decent amount of cutscenes), and the story is serviceable, not fantastic.”
  • gameplay115 mentions

    The gameplay of "Olija" is characterized by its engaging mechanics, particularly the harpoon system that allows for fluid movement and combat, making players feel powerful and invested. While the game is relatively short, lasting around 4-6 hours, it offers a satisfying blend of platforming, exploration, and combat, though some players feel it could benefit from deeper mechanics and challenges. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its smooth execution, artistic presentation, and the way it integrates narrative elements, though opinions vary on its depth and replayability.

    • “The gameplay is fluid with a great central mechanic that makes the platforming in this game satisfactory to execute as much as combat to master, which again doesn't require much time to master, which means that the skill ceiling is pretty low for this game but in my opinion that is actually a pro in the game's favor.”
    • “With an incredible soundtrack, mysterious and haunting world, a simple and effectively told story (with some surprises!) and core gameplay and combat mechanics that make it an absolute ball to play, Olija is short, sweet, and well worth your time.”
    • “The game is a prime example of something being greater than the sum of its parts; individually, the graphics, sound, story, and gameplay might seem simple at first glance, but they're executed so competently and confidently that they amount to a great experience.”
    • “The gameplay is so boring and I could not bring myself to finish the game.”
    • “The gameplay has a very heavy set focus on the combat, having tons of combat encounters when the fighting is quite bland and uninteresting.”
    • “Quite limited mechanically, with few changes from the moveset you have once you get the harpoon (30 minutes in?).”
  • graphics62 mentions

    The game's graphics, primarily in a pixel art style, evoke strong emotions and create a cohesive atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding resolution and clarity during combat. While many players appreciate the unique art style and smooth animations, some find the visuals inconsistent or cluttered, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their charm and expressiveness, contributing positively to the game's narrative and gameplay.

    • “The game offers some nice graphics and environments, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same and has a really great aesthetic.”
    • “I totally recommend the game for its gameplay, visuals which really stand out with its art style and great pixel art, and the music is also carrying the whole atmosphere to new levels.”
    • “The art style of the game is an obvious draw - although simple it is very evocative and expressive.”
    • “The other thing is that the graphics were unbearable.”
    • “The game has two major downsides in my opinion: the graphics style, with large chunky pixels of inconsistent quality that makes things hard to see in the middle of the combat, and the technical issues, such as the many freezes that required me to restart the game, or a bug that prevented me from using sub-weapons in the final boss fight.”
    • “It's not a bad game, but its price is too high for what it offers compared to other games; the art style isn't clear enough sometimes, so things can look really cluttered.”
  • music61 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its professional production and fitting styles that complement the gameplay and narrative. The soundtrack is described as diverse and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's unique ambiance and emotional depth. Overall, players appreciate how the music, along with the visuals and sound design, creates a cohesive and engaging experience.

    • “The music is wonderful ambient.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic!”
    • “The game drips with atmosphere and the combat is incredibly satisfying, the music and sound design are fantastic, and the art and animation is very charming.”
    • “The music is also somewhat simple but helps set the mood and feels appropriate to the setting.”
    • “Music ■■■■■■ 6/10”
    • “The music is decent, always fitting and never takes you out of the game.”
  • atmosphere35 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive audio design, beautiful pixel art, and compelling worldbuilding, creating a dense and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music and sound to enhance the overall mood, with many noting the combination of somber themes and romantic storytelling. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, elevating the gameplay and narrative despite some critiques regarding length and variety.

    • “The game drips with atmosphere and the combat is incredibly satisfying, the music and sound design are fantastic, and the art and animation is very charming.”
    • “Incredible atmosphere in this game, the top-notch sound design in this title caught me by surprise as I didn't have such high expectations on that front.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is very dense and the worldbuilding is tragic and mysterious.”
    • “This is disappointing because the atmosphere and design is very interesting and compelling.”
    • “Decent atmosphere but is pretty short and you don't really fight a big variety of enemies, recommended to wait for a sale.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting significant freezing issues that can require restarts, particularly when accessing the map or during critical gameplay moments. Additionally, there are notable graphical glitches and inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience.

    • “Either I should wait for more than 5 minutes to switch to the 'map' screen, or the game really freezes sometimes.”
    • “The game has two major downsides in my opinion: the graphics style, with large chunky pixels of inconsistent quality that makes things hard to see in the middle of the combat, and the technical issues, such as the many freezes that required me to restart the game, or a bug that prevented me from using sub-weapons in the final boss fight.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its engaging romance elements and unique pixel art design, which evoke a creepy yet captivating atmosphere. The overall aesthetic draws comparisons to classic titles like "Nidhogg Plus" and "Out of This World," enhancing the characters' depth and appeal.

    • “Also lovely depictions of romance and character design for a pixel art game.”
    • “With character design like Nidhogg Plus and a style and setup reminiscent of Out of This World/Another World.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that impact character growth throughout the game.”
    • “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a satisfying way.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game; while some find crafting and combat skills engaging and not tedious, others feel that certain elements slow down the gameplay significantly, leading to frustration.

    • “The grinding aspect is balanced, making it enjoyable without feeling tedious.”
    • “I appreciate how the combat skills develop over time, adding depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The storyline keeps me engaged while I grind, making the experience rewarding.”
    • “Another nitpick I have with the game is how it's bogged down by things constantly slowing the game down to a grinding halt, making me roll my eyes every single time I encountered it.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its beautiful visuals and environments, complemented by an eerie sound design that enhances the atmosphere. Players are particularly moved by the touching story, which is further enriched by fluid combat mechanics that create an immersive experience.

    • “The beautiful visuals and environments, combined with the eerie sound design, create a deeply immersive experience that enhances the touching story.”
    • “The emotional depth of the narrative left me reflecting on my own life long after the game ended.”
    • “The fluid combat mechanics are seamlessly integrated into a story that evokes a wide range of emotions, making every encounter feel significant.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game is noted for lacking replayability, especially when compared to other short games like Katana Zero, which offer more incentive to replay.

    • “In addition to that, this game has no replayability, unlike other similar short games like Katana Zero.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received criticism, with users reporting instances of freezing and crashing during gameplay, indicating significant performance issues.

    • “I would love to give it a thumbs up, but seeing as how it has frozen and crashed twice during my initial playthrough, I can't say that the optimization is there.”
    • “The game runs poorly on my system, despite meeting the recommended requirements. Optimization seems to be a major issue.”
    • “I experienced significant frame drops and stuttering, which really detracted from the overall experience. The optimization needs serious work.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Olija

Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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