Skateboard games once used to be a huge moneymaker for the video games industry way back when. There was a huge drought, the fad seemed to have overstayed its welcome, and the customers moved on. Although, in recent years, it seems those customers have been clamoring for a resurgence. In the summer of 2020, a brush of nostalgia hit the shelves, that of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2. This remaster was extremely well received and it was clear, skateboarding games could still be a hit once more. While OlliOlli World is in fact a sequel to OlliOlli and OlliOlli 2, and has its own following in its own right, I believe the third time is the real charm here. Not only does this title feel greatly timed, but it feels fresh and is oozing with its own set of charm and love.
Developed by Roll7 and published by Private Division and Take-Two Interactive, the team also behind the first two installments, continued on the path of upgrading the titles with slightly improved graphics. The original title being in the vein of a Super Nintendo 16bit style, and the following game also in the same style but adding a more artistic approach. With OlliOlli World, the art approach was more front and center. Originally was planned to be full on 3D game, but landed with the smarter choice of a 2D cartoon animated look. The animation style has an amazing resemblance to something like Adventure Time or Rick & Morty. The gameplay itself does a good job of looking animated, but still in a 3D environment.
In OlliOlli World, you are transported to the world of Radlandia, a world that is ruled by the skate gods and is inhabited by people training to be the next skate wizard. There can be only one skate wizard and the current one is seeking retirement and on the hunt for her succeeder. A story in this sort of game wasn’t really needed, but is indeed very welcome, it’s so far out there, that you know you’re in for a good time, you can tell there was a lot of love put into this behind the scenes. But yeah, you of course play as the one trying to be the next skate wizard and with that comes some really fun character customization!
Throughout the game, you will continue to unlock more items in your wardrobe so you can continue to change up your look. The real fun in this game though, is, of course, the gameplay. Unlike most skateboard games, this one is more of a 2D platformer. With how fast you will be zipping across the TV, it felt very akin to an old school Sonic game, but with the caveat that you must perform skate tricks on the way to the finish line. For how little button work there is, it still felt challenging in a very fun way. Most of your controlling will be with just the left thumb-stick (plus the X button to gain speed). Pushing up to jump and down to slam down, among various other variations of that in very fun and crafty stages. Playing and skating is just all around very addicting. I especially constantly felt compelled to finish the course. If you mess up just a little, you are likely to have to start the stage all over again. Luckily, the transition between failing and starting a new attempt is rather quick, so you don’t feel too thrown out of the intensity of the fun.
Having gotten a review code for the Playstation 4 only, I unfortunately was not able to compare the differences between the two versions, but I was quite pleased at how well the weathered PS4 managed, there were very little load times. They do exist, but are very brief, so you can probably expect them to be non-existent in the PS5 version. OlliOlli World brings a fresh element to the skateboard game genre; with its unnecessary (but fun) story, its gorgeous art style, fast/kinetic gameplay that will have you losing track of time, and above all else, its charm. This one really got me and I’m excited to dump a lot more hours into it.
9/10
For more information on OlliOlli World, subscribe on YouTube, follow on Twitter or TikTok, become a fan on Facebook, and visit OlliOlliGame.com.
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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