OlliOlli World, the third installment of the OlliOlli skateboarding game franchise, released on February 8. Sporting a new cartoony art style reminiscent of shows like Adventure Time,OlliOlli World beckons players to pick up the game based on looks alone. The game certainly has the substance to back up the style, serving as an in-depth skateboarding simulator full of flips, spins, grinds, and more. As a result, OlliOlli World is the definition of a game being easy to pick up but hard to master.
Skateboarding novices, or even those not into the sport entirely, should not be turned off by the gameplay, but rather the opposite. OlliOlli World teaches the player new tricks in a manner that never feels overwhelming, steadily increasing the player's repertoire and ability to complete the game's many challenges in creative ways. Beyond its skateboarding facade, OlliOlli World is completely addictive and a fast-paced 2D platformer that any fan of the genre should play.
OlliOlli World's Style Helps it Shine
OlliOlli World's stylistic choices are more than just for show— the game takes advantage of its whimsical settings to design courses that are nowhere near possible in reality. The game's levels take players anywhere from lush forests full of giant bees to chase, to rocky deserts hiding aliens and other extraterrestrial secrets. This style makes OlliOlli World stand out instantly. Countless sports games are based in reality, but using the inherently interesting mechanics of a sport in a creative manner garners attention from a wider audience.
Comparing OlliOlli World to the most popular skating franchise showcases some interesting differences. The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series may have unrealistic physics, but the games are clearly based in reality. This, in conjunction with full 3D movement and more complex controls, cater the games specifically to the skateboarding audience as opposed to a general one. OlliOlli World is more accessible in regard to both its style and controls, thus being easier to recommend to people outside the skating fandom. Accessibility is not a knock on the gameplay— OlliOlli World's slow build complete control make the game worth revisiting on a regular basis.
OlliOlli World's Methodical Approach to Tricks
Unlike many other staking games which have large, open levels to explore, OlliOlli World takes notes from traditional 2D platformers and has many linear challenges arranged on a world map. This allows the game to teach players its many mechanics at a steady rate— though it's still entirely possible to look at the tricks list and learn from there. The first level teaches players to ollie, which is a very simple input. Next come tricks like kickflips, which are a slight variation on this input. After that are grinds, and the fact that players can trick in and out of them, and so on. This natural approach to teaching ensures that players are never overwhelmed by the amount of options, and will undoubtedly master one by the time the next is introduced.
Mastering all the types of tricks is only where OlliOlli World's fun begins. Each of the game's many levels contain numerous objectives. These range from doing a specific trick a certain number of times to grinding and hitting three seagulls along the way. Aside from these varied challenges, each level has three score goals. These goals get very high by the end, requiring crazy combos to even attempt them. Linking together flips, grinds, and wall rides into a combo that spans the length of a whole stage is immensely satisfying— a feeling that OlliOlli World's way of teaching makes accessible to anyone.
OlliOlli World is a truly fun and addictive experience. Its cartoony art style and welcoming gameplay draw in a general audience, but the deep mechanics and massive skill ceiling keep the skateboarding enthusiasts pleased. More so than any of its competition, OlliOlli World is the best skateboarding game for non-skateboarders to experience.
OlliOlli World is out now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
