OlliOlli (Video Game Review)

OlliOlli is a unique title from developer Roll7 and publisher Devolver Digital. The game can be described as an arcade skateboarding game mixed with an endless runner. There are two primary game modes in the new title: one with the goal of reaching the end of the level without crashing while racking up the highest score possible, and another that requires players to chain the longest combo possible without stopping. Both modes are very challenging and players looking for a casual gaming experience will likely be disappointed in the new game. OlliOlli may have a strange title, but the new release is still a fun game though, even if crashing near the end of a level will make players want to throw their controller out the window of their home.

Players can choose to begin playing OlliOlli in the game's tutorial section. It's here where the game teaches players the basic fundamentals of playing the game. When a level begins, the player will need to mash the A or X button, depending on which controller the player is currently using to play the game, in order to speed up and get ready to launch into a trick. Players can move the left thumbstick of the controller in any direction to do a trick or spin the stick to launch a more complex move for even more points. Players must hit the A or X button before landing back on the ground to land the trick, though waiting until the last second will result in a better landing and more points.

Players can also perform grinds on rails and other items scattered throughout levels in much the same way as other tricks are performed. After launching into a trick, players will mash a direction on the left thumbstick just before reaching the rail or other surface to begin a grind. Players will then choose whether to launch in to another trick or hold the grind and ride the railing. Grinding is the key to chaining together combos but can also be the cause of many level restarts when playing through the game.

It's important to land tricks successfully and avoid bad ratings. A worse landing will slow down the player, and if the player falls from an elevated surface without first performing a trick, the player will crash and be forced to restart a level. OlliOlli is comparable to the Trials series in this way, as players will find the game getting more difficult with each new level, only in OlliOlli, players will be forced to start from the beginning of the current level every time they crash. Anyone that has ever played a Trials game will understand how difficult this would make the game if the same mechanics existed in that title, and the one life mechanic makes OlliOlli a very difficult and frustrating game to play at times.

Career Mode is where players will spend most of their time in OlliOlli. Career begins in Amateur levels with predetermined challenges ready for the player to complete with the overarching goal of reaching the end of each level without crashing and burning. Reaching the end of a level will automatically unlock the next level of career mode, and there are five different worlds that offer very different levels and attractions. Some of the challenges for the game include simple tasks such as landing a particular trick or performing a combo move, while others will require players to nab a collection of items located throughout a level or reach a very high score for the level. When a player completes all challenges on an Amateur level, a Pro level is unlocked. Likewise, completing all challenges from the Pro level will unlock RAD mode levels for an even greater challenge.

Players will also unlock Spot levels by playing through the game's Career mode. Spot levels challenge players to chain together combos without ever stopping and hitting the ground. Plenty of rails are scattered throughout these levels to make chaining tricks more easy, but players will need to know how to continue performing tricks without losing speed to be most successful in this game mode. There are over 250 unique challenges throughout OlliOlli, while a Trickology book is always available to access to learn new moves, and players can also compete with the world in the Daily Grinds to see who is the best skater around.

OlliOlli has a unique aesthetic with pixel art and carefully constructed color palettes. There is a certain charm about the game's look, and levels get more and more complex while progressing through the game. The level design is strong in OlliOlli for introducing players slowly to changing environments while allowing them to concentrate intently on learning to play the game with no distractions when first starting up the game. OlliOlli's strong presentation is made even better by a fun soundtrack that offers some catchy beats to skate to throughout the multiple hour long campaign.

OlliOlli is a fun game even if it is a bit too difficult at times. The tutorial of the game does a pretty good job of teaching players to play the game, but the game doesn't play fair for long, and players will soon find themselves bouncing across the pavement in failure more times than many gamers can appreciate. OlliOlli is a unique title that plays almost like a rhythm game with players needing to swing the left thumbstick and mash a single button at just the right times in order to pull off some pretty sweet moves and rack up killer high scores. OlliOlli is well worth checking out for fans of indie games, and it's an addictive downloadable game that can offer many hours of exciting gameplay.

OlliOlli is now available for PlayStation Vita and PC via Steam and can be purchased for $12.99 with the ability to currently save 10% on Steam for limited time. For more information on the game, check out the official OlliOlli website.

Game Features:

• Single Player
• Simple, One-Button Controls
• Tutorial, Spot and Career Modes
• Daily Grinds
• Achievement Support

Game Information:
Developer: Roll7
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: PlayStation Vita, PC (reviewed)
Release Date: July 22, 2014

Score: 8.5 out of 10