It’s been a few years since we knew: Independent projects supported by Devolver are watched like burning milk. The fact that a certain Olija, who has been preparing for several years with Skeleton Crew, ended up in the hands of the disrespectful editor last summer piques interest. It is finished. No regrets because here’s a game that doesn’t get us on a boat.
It’s the story of a storm, a shipwreck. From a Parpillate crew. About an abandoned captain who and his men try everything to get home. But he has to fight for that. Faraday, the name of this money fisherman who believed he was going to find wealth in the Japanese seas, finds himself again after he was captured by the deep prisoner of an enemy enemy, Eaten. The surf, or rather fate, led him to a strange compass that enabled him to get his hands on a unique harpoon. This weapon is his salvation. On the one hand, because the natives and local fauna tend to quarrel with him easily, and his fists are not enough. Then because the enchanted instrument gives incredible powers.
No cage for Faraday
Classic looking 2D action and platform game, Olija This harpoon is the focus of their experience and is useful not only for energizing criminals but also for getting away. It is enough to throw it at a point of attachment of the decoration, a wooden box or an enemy to appear in close proximity. And because the handling is devilishly precise and you benefit from sufficient flextime between the individual transits, it is possible to enchant very quickly and smoothly. In a very short time, the clashes turn into an extremely dynamic (and bloody) ballet, the platform phases, sometimes breathless chases, into Spider-Man-worthy air walks. Condition so as not to mess up the timing and direction of course. And don’t think that your gray matter is left behind: some layers contain other mechanisms, e.g. B. sensitive levers on your legendary weapon or the electricity stored in it. They know whether to call them back instead of backing off. Always smart, well integrated, and not repetitive enough to scream about indigestion.
Little Odyssey
In any case, one cannot speak of redundancy. Olija don’t give it time.Even if you feel like you are always crossing the same animals or villains on the ocean floor, the levels that must be selected on a map according to your needs to advance your search will follow each other at breakneck speed. It’s when you’re having fun. The bosses that few entertain seem like cookies to a slightly seasoned gamer. Nick her Collectibles and the crew is nothing special. In short, the challenge doesn’t turn out to be very important and theOlija, less than 5 hours to see the end is frustrating. It were safe to garnish.
The main center, whose peaceful atmosphere we appreciate before we return to battle, offers services in which we quickly lose interest, which is to blame for an unbalanced economic system. The local currency is withdrawn too quickly. Is it used to increase your life expectancy? This will be maximum in no time. Can you send an old sea bass to look for items to make hats with that give offensive abilities for an entire stage? Another blink of an eye and you have all your headwear. And we’re not talking about the dodging jump or secondary weapons that provide great firepower or new mechanics that we almost forget. Frustrating, we tell you.
A story without a future?
We will insist all the more on this frustration that goes beyond its never-boring playful suggestion. Olija has incredible charm. And the words are pess. His pixel art, crude and naive at first glance, actually hides true artistic treasures and details in his surroundings that are not immediately obvious. But they not only strongly remind another world, but also manage to give it a seal of approval for adventure stories in between Zorro and Pirates des Carabes, colorful, with majestic buildings, gloomy caves and even rock monuments that make you want to escape everyday life. It is mastered with a real care for the backgrounds and foregrounds, and willingly reinforces Eatman’s secret. And expressive.
Thomas Olsson’s game doesn’t just talk about his sets. He also has characters to develop. Including that of a hero worthy of a cloak and sword movie, handsome, tall, strong, who will meet the gaze of a crowned head. Very pretty, so as not to spoil anything. The meetings between the protagonist and the young woman who gives the game its name open up sequences of crazy romance that work wonderfully. Leaving the soundtrack without words, navigating in a well-studied way between flamenco melodies and typical Japanese sounds, time to place a sluggish saxophone. There is a great story in the atmosphere, environment and gameplay of Olija mixed with passion. Its volatility and intensity make it a very nice vacation love.
