Game: OlliOlli
Console: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Roll7
Release Date: 20th March 2015
OlliOlli is a 2D skateboarding game which was first released on the Playstation Vita and later came to other consoles. The aim of the game is to make it through 50 stages, completing 5 goals per stage, a little like a 2D Tony Hawk's title. There are 5 zones which contain 5 Amateur stages and 5 Pro stages each. The theme of each zone somewhat influences the obstacles and features which can be found on its stages; for example the Neon City zone features mostly signs and advertising boards on which players can grind.
Points are scored for doing tricks, stringing together combos and landing the tricks with good timing. A huge trick which is landed poorly will score only a fraction of what it could have, with a perfect landing. This gives player incentive to plan their trick routes for optimal combinations of tricks and safe spots to land. The control scheme is very simple, with the analog stick being used to do tricks (its direction, and the L+R buttons influence which trick is pulled off) and the A button to land. Whilst in the air, the L+R buttons also control rotation. On flat surfaces the A button can be used to gain speed, with 2 presses reaching maximum speed.
Each run begins with the skater gaining speed before the first jump or grind. The 5 goals for the level are displayed at the bottom of the screen, usually consisting of a high score, combo score, trick, collection and general goal. As the levels progress the game's difficulty increases at a manageable rate, and works well to teach players how to string large combos together and achieve the score goals needed in the later levels. If players fall during the level, any goals cleared still count, but the run is over.
Once players get to the end of a run, they unlock the next level. Getting all 5 goals unlocks the pro version of the level which is laid out differently and features different goals, and spots mode is also unlocked with 5 stars on each level, challenging players to string the best single combo they can together. There's also the Daily Grind which is an area that players attempt to string the best single combo score together in, with a daily leaderboard and a new challenge area every 24 hours. This provides some replayability for those who have beaten all of the game's challenges. In addition to the Daily Grind leaderboards there are also score leaderboards for every stage and spot in the game.
Graphically the game has an enjoyable style, and although it seems very basic in static screenshots, the overall impression whilst putting together a fast paced combo-filled run is far better. The aims of the game are made clear where needed, and it's laid out in a very used friendly manner. The music featured is enjoyable and fits a laid back city feel, which suits the action very well. There's a varied selection of tracks, and there wasn't a single one I disliked enough to notice.
Overall OlliOlli is one of the most high quality games I've purchased from the 3DS eShop, and at sale price it was only a few pounds. While the action's pretty quickly over once Career mode has been completed, I spent a good few hours playing the game and truly enjoyed its style of skating and pulling off tricks, which feels natural and easy to pick up. Despite it's short length, I think as a whole the game features the perfect amount of content; any more would have become repetitive, especially with a sequel out on PS4 currently for fans to progress to.
Rating: 85/100
Grade: B
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