OlliOlli World: PS5 Review

Developed by Roll7
Published by Private Division, Take Two Interactive
Platform: PS5

It's a surreal trip this outing to OlliOlli World.

The game's latest iteration still continues the previous episodes' one mistake and you're roadkill on the sidewalk approach to skating, but adds in a dash of the weird to keep you half-piping away.

A side-scrolling take on the skateboarding sim, OlliOlli World is as fun as it's odd. You're a boarder who's under the tutelage of Skate Wizards so that you can achieve a sense of Gnarvana in a fictional land of Radlandia and its several biomes.

Mixing up grinding and tricks, it's upto you to clear each (admittedly short) stage without wiping out - and you use the two sticks on your controller to manage each flip and potential flop.

There's a story here too, as a group of Skate Wizards guide you, their protege to new heights - and to tell you stories as they do so. It's got a low key charm to it, and while the dialogue can get a bit tedious at times, there's always an option to skip and simply skate.

As for the skating itself, its execution is fluid and simple to follow, if occasionally difficult to master.Much like previous OlliOlli games, there's a punishing science to be exacted here and messing up can send you flying - obviously. But while the challenge level gradually ups itself to your worst fears, the slow input on your skills makes all the difference and trial and error clearly pays off.

Much of the fun of OlliOlli World comes from the customisation options, and the unlocking of various clothing items from achieving in various levels. This is a game that makes the collectible fun, but doesn't make it vital - unless you're a completist.

It's no lie to say that the game is still hard and is a masterclass in making sure you hit the right sequence of flips and grinds, but decent save points midway through sections help intensely.

OlliOlli World is a nice little indie that does what it sets out to and does it well. Its colourful and vibrant execution make playing it fun, and a nice diversion in 2022.