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Here’s my review of OlliOlli World.
Developer: Roll 7
Publisher: Private Division
Platforms: Xbox, Switch , PS5, and PC
Released in 2022
This review was for the Series X
Intro
What is the game about?
An arcade skateboarding game with flair and a big heart. It isn’t afraid of being different and most of all, fun. It gives into the formula and long history of sports games, and cements itself as something unique, yet endearing in a visceral game experience.
Setting
This takes place in a fantasy land called Radlandia. The map is broken down into different state courses, each offering their own bonuses, course goals, Easter eggs, and different characters to meet. Additionally, the game walks you through different techniques and ways you can expand your skill set and polish your techniques to score higher or master challenging combos that you can pull off later.
Story
The main story of OlliOlli World goes like this: In the land of Radlandia, the Skate Wizard is moving on and your new character is next in line to inherit the title. You will hone your skills in different regions. Each region has their own skate God, each representing a different aspect of skating in general. Gnarvana is where the skate gods ultimately reside.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay of the game can be equated into two strong parts of the core mechanics.
First, you have the controls. Controls are typically with a game pad, keyboard, etc. For the sake of this review, I had my Series X Elite 2 controller. Most of the main jumps to execute tricks used the thumb sticks. It didn’t feel too stiff using these because if you worked at it enough, flicking the thumb sticks felt satisfying to land a trick or help build up speed to do another combo of tricks.
The good thing is, if one control scheme didn’t fit for you, you could change things out until it worked best.
The second part of the core mechanics was the stage selection and course setup. The stage selection is similar to a world map like Super Mario World, whereas you would move an avatar to different points of interest on a map and it would trigger a new stage to make. I give props to the creators for putting in the extra details to make each stage different to make it exciting for stepping first foot into it.
The other part of this core mechanic was the course setup. The stage would be in variances of ramps, immovable objects, animals, interactive NPCs, checkpoints, water traps, grinds, and eventually the finish line. If you made it all the way through, the end of the stage would give you a summary of every goal you were able to hit or not hit. Each stage offers replayability, and the game encourages you to go back if you need to reset the high score, or go for that next round of unlockable accessories for your character. You also meet different character along the way that essentially become your crew. They offer you praise, setup the next course for you, and provide that essence of camaraderie, climbing up the ranks for skateboarding and exploring this world together.
Customization
This game puts you in full control of how you will build your character’s legacy. Almost every part of your character is customizable. Examples of this are your complete wardrobe, offering options like a hat, scarf, pants, shirt, coat, shoes, eye glasses, and facial hair. You can also sculpt your character physically into a reflection of yourself in real life or you can go full method and create a new persona altogher. I do applaud the flexibility the creators gave players to fine tune the character to their liking and to take ownership of how this is their story.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was well coined for this game. It reminded me a lot of a lo-fi, yet a tad bit more upbeat variety of sound score. Music would play during you planning your next spot throughout Radlandia on the overworld or while you’re nailing tricks on the skate course. Music from Spotify or your own personal collection also works great too as you’re trying to conquer the next stage.
Art Style
I absolutely loved the art style. It was geometric, calm colored and clean. It reminded me a lot of a Saturday morning cartoon or something that would be produced on the early block of Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. The art style made me feel calm, even when I struggled with getting tricks to work and finish the stage.
What I least liked about the game
My main problem I had with the game is how punishing the courses can be. Without hitting a checkpoint to move forward, you have to reset all the way back to the beginning of the stage or it’s in the middle of the stage, you have to make another plan to get it. Get used to resetting a lot, because if you mess up or trip for one second, you will start over. It can be a frustrating element to the stage, but you will learn eventually .
What I liked best
What I liked best about the game is how versatile it is. It challenges you to what to be better, but also the mood and atmosphere of the entire game is a fun flow filled experience. It had stressful parts, but you could also tell at the end of the level of your skating session that you didn’t care because it overwhelmed you with fun. There is no real big bad or enemies you engage against. You are competing with yourself to get better and grab the title of Skate Wizard.
Overall impressions/rating
OlliOlli World is a game that works in the gaming landscape of sequels and inspirations of games that came before it. It brings back that positive feeling in games that you can better yourself, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. That’s all a part of building character. I’d recommend OlliOlli World to players that want something in that mid realm of having that easy going atmosphere, but overlayed with enough challenge to make you want to grab your board and go as many rounds as you need to on the course.
Final score: 9/10
Charle Subketkaew is a passionate gamer, storyteller, and daydreamer. When he's not immersed in a fresh new video game, he also enjoys creating art, graphic design, spending time with friends, watching movies or anime, listening to a podcast or custom playlist, writing, collecting, working out, and scouting out his next weekend adventure.
He runs a design page and website, Fortis Ideas. This is an evolution of his design and media career over the span of a decade. He works with different creators in different disciplines on a multitude of projects to push himself to create new ideas.
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