Olija

About Olija

Olija is an action-platformer with hack-and-slash combat set in a mysterious, hostile land. Developed by Skeleton Crew Studio and published by Devolver Digital, it released January 2021 for PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Switch. You play as Faraday, a shipwrecked man fighting to escape Terraphage using a harpoon that doubles as a weapon and traversal tool. The game mixes fast-paced brawling, environmental puzzles, and a cryptic narrative about his bond with Olija, a mysterious woman. It’s inspired by classic adventure films and swashbuckling tales, aiming for tight combat and atmospheric exploration. Expect hand-drawn visuals, a mix of linear and open areas, and a story that leans into ambiguity.

Gameplay

Olija’s core loop blends platforming, harpoon-based combat, and exploration. You’ll sprint, dash, and leap across environments while fighting waves of enemies with a harpoon that can strike, grapple, and pull objects. Battles emphasize timing, juggle foes with aerial attacks or chain strikes. The game splits into short chapters, each with distinct settings like volcanic caves or foggy marshes. Combat is aggressive but punishing: mistime a dodge, and you’ll take damage fast. Between fights, you’ll solve light puzzles to unlock paths or recover story logs. The harpoon’s versatility keeps things dynamic, but the difficulty spikes in later chapters. Sessions rarely last more than an hour without feeling intense.

What Players Think

Olija has a 78/100 on Metacritic and 70.8/100 on IGDB, with 22 critic ratings. Player reviews are split: 37% label it “Rushed,” 29% “Challenged,” 23% “Pleased,” and 11% “Bored.” Average playtime is 10 hours, with 31.3% of players unlocking achievements. The rarest achievement, “Romance” (7.6% unlocked), requires a specific dialogue choice. Many praise its combat depth and art style but criticize uneven pacing and underdeveloped story beats. Some call it “a missed opportunity” for its ambitious ideas, while others laud its intensity. Achievement hunters note the low unlock rate for “Romance” and the 10% completion for the final boss.

PlayPile's Take

Olija is worth playing if you crave arcade-style action with a unique art style. At $19.99 (or similar), it’s a low-risk purchase for fans of tough platformers like Caves or Salt and Sacrifice. The combat is sharp but punishing, and the story’s cryptic tone won’t appeal to everyone. The 10 achievements add replay value, though most players won’t finish them. Its Metacritic score suggests quality, but the IGDB rating hints at polarized reception. If you enjoy tight mechanics and don’t mind a rushed narrative, give it a shot. Skip if you prefer slower, more methodical games.

Storyline

Through adventurous exploration, narration and razor sharp combat, the player will discover a strange world and its inhabitants, including Olija, an enigmatic lady that Faraday finds himself bound to over time. Inspired by swashbuckling tales and cinematic adventure games, Olija is a story about facing the unknown in adversity.