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 good party game.
- Some events, like boxing and sport climbing, provide a satisfying challenge and variety.
- The game suffers from poor optimization, resulting in low frame rates and frequent crashes.
- Many popular Olympic events are missing, leading to a less complete experience compared to previous titles.
- The AI difficulty is inconsistent, making some events frustratingly easy while others are nearly impossible.
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Tokyo 2020 is characterized by simplified controls and a faster pace compared to real matches, appealing to some players for its accessibility and character customization options. However, many reviewers criticize its lack of realism, limited event variety, and insufficient teaching of mechanics, leading to a less engaging experience with low replay value. Overall, while the gameplay can be fun and smooth, it suffers from optimization issues and a lack of depth, making it less favorable compared to previous titles like London 2012.
“I really liked the gameplay, character customization, the selection of events, etc. Compared to London 2012, it's less realistic, and I would hope that at least the timer would show real time and that the 1v1 or 2v2 events would have more than one game in a match or more than 90 seconds on the timer.”
“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's 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.”
“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.”
“Gameplay-wise, I prefer 'London 2012' all the way.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the cutesy and enjoyable visuals, while others criticize the lack of detail and realism compared to previous titles like London 2012. There are also reports of glitches affecting both graphics and sound, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game's artistic style appeals to some, but may not satisfy those seeking a more realistic graphical approach.
“I love the graphics and how many sports are in this game.”
“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.”
“The cartoony visuals and sounds set the atmosphere for enjoyment, but there isn't much attention to detail for each nation.”
“The sound glitches, the graphics glitch, the controls are questionable.”
“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.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many users describing it as poorly executed and rushed, particularly on PC. Players report issues such as stiff controls, input lag, and inconsistent performance, suggesting that the game feels unpolished and lacks the necessary testing for a smooth experience. While some users mention that learning specific tips can improve performance, the general consensus is that the optimization is subpar compared to other titles.
“I have to say I disagree; 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.”
“There are games with solo developers that are better optimized than this steaming pile of disappointment.”
“Performance in games seems to depend on how good or bad players' connections are (not enough testing of this yet).”
“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.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its variety of sports, providing a fun experience for players. However, some users feel that the lack of clear mechanics and execution can diminish the overall enjoyment and replay value. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising its superb replayability while others find it lacking.
“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”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as hit-or-miss, appealing mainly to those with a specific sense of nostalgia, while some costumes can be amusing with a bit of creativity. The character customization is highlighted as a standout feature, providing opportunities for hilarious combinations. Overall, the humor may resonate more with a niche audience.
“The character customization is incredible and hilarious.”
“Some costumes are alright and can be funny if you use your imagination.”
“Funny - yes.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization model is praised for lacking microtransactions and allowing players to earn costumes through gameplay, but the overall experience is criticized as a quick cash grab with limited content and small player lobbies, which may hinder long-term engagement.
“There's no DLC or microtransactions.”
“You earn currency by playing the game, which you can use to buy costumes (no microtransactions, yay!).”
“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.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent sound and graphics glitches, as well as questionable control responsiveness.
“The sound glitches, the graphics glitch, and the controls are questionable.”
“Glitches - yes.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a blend of simplicity and cartoonish visuals that create an enjoyable, casual experience. However, some users note a lack of detailed attention to the individual nations, 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.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game lacks a story mode, which has led to a perception of it being unengaging and unenjoyable for players.
“There is no story mode, making the game feel very unengaging.”
“The narrative is poorly developed and lacks depth.”
“The plot is confusing and fails to capture my interest.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game evokes a sense of exhilaration and empowerment, likening the experience to the speed and thrill of Usain Bolt, suggesting that it delivers a powerful and uplifting emotional impact.
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game lacks licensed tracks from popular artists such as Afrojack, Avicii, Gorillaz, Pitbull, and Justin Bieber, which were featured in previous titles like London. This absence has left some players disappointed, as they miss the high-profile music that enhanced the gaming experience.
“There is no licensed music from artists like Afrojack, Avicii, Gorillaz, Pitbull, or Bieber, which is disappointing compared to what London had.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The music doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
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%