Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: The Official Video Game
- June 21, 2021
- SEGA
- 10h median play time
With an enjoyable selection of arcade sports minigames, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Official Video Game is a gold medal effort.
"Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: The Official Video Game" allows players to create their own athlete and compete in 18 different sporting events, ranging from tennis to boxing. The game encourages players to have fun with customizable skills and costumes, and can be enjoyed in both single-player and multiplayer modes. Aim for the gold and set new records in this official Olympics party game.
Reviews
- The character customization is extensive and allows for a lot of creativity.
- The game is fun to play with friends, making it a great party game.
- There is a wide variety of events, providing some enjoyable arcade-style gameplay.
- The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to slow performance and crashes.
- Many expected events from previous Olympic games are missing, making it feel incomplete.
- The AI difficulty is inconsistent, often making some events frustratingly hard.
- gameplay31 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Tokyo 2020 is characterized by simplified controls and a focus on accessibility, making it easy to learn but challenging to master. While the game offers a varied selection of events and smooth mechanics, it lacks depth and replay value, with some players expressing disappointment over missing events and limited multiplayer options. Overall, it provides a fun experience reminiscent of Wii Sports, but many feel it falls short compared to previous titles like London 2012.
“The gameplay of Tokyo 2020 is simple, but demanding enough (at least until you start mastering it).”
“Overall the gameplay is fun and a lot of laughs; it just such a big miss that they haven't supported local play properly by having more than two players and letting those players create an avatar.”
“A varied selection of events, each with their own addictive gameplay mechanics, makes for an entertaining package with plenty to see and do.”
“Even when it worked, it wasn't really fun, entertaining, or filled with any replay value since the mechanics, like a quick start or any kind of specific 'secret' mechanic, weren't properly taught to you, and thus you couldn't execute them well since the timing was strange too.”
“This game has terrible optimization and gameplay.”
“There aren't enough people playing (bad advertising?) and lobbies are too small (only 4 people instead of 8), and there needs to be more games because they're done with so quickly and are so shallow mechanically that you just need more there to help counteract that.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as charming and cutesy, with a vibrant art style that enhances the overall enjoyment, though some players note a lack of detail and realism compared to previous titles like London 2012. While many appreciate the clean visuals and accessibility, there are reports of glitches and issues that detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as decent but may not appeal to those seeking a more realistic aesthetic.
“Been looking forward to this for ages to play with my family and love the customization, cutesy graphics, and fun style.”
“The graphics are gorgeous.”
“An extremely entertaining handful of sports-themed mini games with just a few duffers to be found amongst their number, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - the official video game distills the longest-running athletic spectacle on the planet into a great party game with charming visuals and immediate accessibility.”
“The cartoony visuals and sounds set the atmosphere for enjoyment, but there isn't much attention to detail for each nation.”
“On one hand, if you're looking for a more realistic approach, this probably is not for you, and the graphical style of the game is not the most appealing. I definitely would have preferred an updated London 2012, because this isn't it.”
“The sound glitches, the graphics glitch, the controls are questionable.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users citing poor performance, stiff controls, and input lag, particularly on PC. Critics argue that it feels rushed and lacks the necessary testing, leading to a frustrating experience that contrasts sharply with better-optimized titles, even from solo developers. While some players mention that learning specific tips can improve performance, the overall consensus is that the game is inadequately optimized.
“Once you learn the tips and little tricks you can do to boost your performance, it just takes a bit of repetition to snag the gold in almost all of the games.”
“Performance in games seems to depend on how good or bad players' connections are.”
“There are games with solo developers that are better optimized than this.”
“This game has terrible optimization and gameplay.”
“- this is a terribly optimized game that was rushed out for console in 2 weeks and had pc as a money milking afterthought.”
“Its poorly optimized, stiff controls, and input lag for some of the mini games.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it superb and enjoyable due to the variety of sports, others feel it lacks lasting value due to poorly taught mechanics and a lack of engaging content. The shift away from simulation-heavy gameplay has made it more fun, particularly in multiplayer, but some still believe it falls short in providing a compelling reason to return.
“However, the replayability is very high for this game and all the different types of sports make for a very fun experience.”
“Replayability is superb.”
“Replayable - yes”
“Ditching the simulation-heavy gameplay of previous Olympic games is a smart move that creates a more enjoyable experience, especially in multiplayer, but there’s still a lack of lasting replay value.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as hit-or-miss, appealing primarily to those with a specific sense of nostalgia, while some costumes and character customization options are noted as genuinely funny and creative. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted experience that is accessible to all ages, making it a fun choice for party play.
“The character customization is incredible and hilarious.”
“Some costumes are alright and can be funny if you use your imagination.”
“Character customization is varied and hilarious.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization model is praised for lacking microtransactions and DLC, allowing players to earn in-game currency to purchase costumes through gameplay. However, the game is criticized as a quick cash grab with limited content and small player lobbies, which detracts from the overall experience.
“There's no DLC or microtransactions.”
“You get costumes by playing the game to earn currency, which you use to buy costumes (no microtransactions, yay!).”
“There's no DLC or microtransactions.”
“It is a quick cash grab and very pixelated for some reason.”
“There aren't enough people playing (bad advertising?) and lobbies are too small (only 4 people instead of 8) and yeah, there needs to be more games because they're done with so quickly and are so shallow mechanically that you just need more there to help counteract that.”
“There aren't enough people playing (bad advertising?) and lobbies are too small (only 4 people instead of 8) and yeah, there needs to be more games because they're done with so quickly and are so shallow mechanically that you just need more there to help counteract that.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent sound and graphics glitches reported by users, alongside questionable control responsiveness. Overall, these problems detract from the overall gameplay experience.
“The sound glitches, the graphics glitch, the controls are questionable.”
“The sound glitches, the graphics glitch, the controls are questionable.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its simplistic, cartoonish visuals and sounds that create an enjoyable, casual experience. However, some users note a lack of attention to detail in representing each nation, which may detract from the overall immersion.
“The simplicity and atmosphere combined make for pure casual fun.”
“The cartoony visuals and sounds set the atmosphere for enjoyment.”
- music4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's music lacks the licensed tracks featured in previous titles, such as those from Afrojack and Avicii, but compensates with an encouraging original soundtrack. However, some players find the music to be grating and repetitive, which can lead to minor frustrations during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a solid addition that enhances the experience without feeling rushed.
“Add to that a soundtrack that feels properly encouraging and some solid reasons to keep trudging at the elusive medals, and you have a solid title that clearly wasn’t rushed by any stretch.”
“No licensed music from Afrojack, Avicii, Gorillaz, Pitbull, Bieber, etc. like London had.”
“Grating and repetitive music, minor skill frustrations.”
“The soundtrack feels uninspired and fails to enhance the overall experience.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game lacks a story mode, which has led to a consensus among users that it is unengaging and not enjoyable.
“No story mode and very unfun.”
“No story mode and very unfun.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that the game evokes a strong sense of exhilaration and empowerment, likening their experience to the feeling of being as fast and unstoppable as Usain Bolt.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find certain grinding events to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive button mashing, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the limited online player base on Stadia further exacerbates the grinding issue, making it feel even more isolating.
“Some events feel like tedious button mashers, and the lack of a substantial user base on Stadia makes online play virtually nonexistent.”
“The grinding in this game is repetitive and feels like a chore rather than an engaging experience.”
“I find myself spending hours on grinding without any meaningful rewards, which makes the gameplay feel frustrating.”
Critic Reviews
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - The Official Video Game (Switch) Review
What happens when the cartoon spin-off is way better than the official version?
45%Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game #NintendoSwitch
A fun multiplayer experience that has its trials and tribulations when trying to go for the gold in single player.
78%Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game Review
On your marks, get ready…
70%