OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood Review (PS4)

very good
key review info
  • Game: OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood
  • Platform: Playstation 4
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OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood review on PS4

OlliOlli burst onto the scene in early 2014 and made a solid impression with its side-scrolling skateboarding mechanics that distilled the whole genre to its basic elements, while still providing a lot of depth in terms of tricks and challenges.

The sequel is already available, in the form of OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood, which promises more varied environments, even more tricks, a special new mechanic called Manual, and the same easy-to-learn but hard-to-master gameplay philosophy.

Does the new title manage to deliver a proper sequel or should it retire from skateboarding altogether? Let's find out.

Story

While OlliOlli 2 doesn't have a story per se, it does string together the various stages across five different environments, starting with Olliwood, a skateboarding-themed version of Hollywood, and continuing with movie sets from westerns, adventure films, theme parks, and much more.

As such, while you won't have any character development or things like that, the sequel does provide a much better background for your skateboarding antics.

Western level in OlliOlli2
Western level in OlliOlli2

Gameplay

OlliOlli 2 doesn't mess with the winning formula introduced by its predecessor all that much, bringing forth the same basic trick mechanic that involves using the left stick to pull off jumps and grinds, while hitting the X button to nail the landings.

You can use the shoulder buttons to perform more complicated maneuvers and move the stick into different directions to switch things up, but the basics don't change.

The main claim to fame is the Manual system, which allows players to keep a combo going between grinds and jumps, even allowing for stages to be completed in a single, massive trick.

The game also does a better job at easing players into the actual experience. It starts with a solid tutorial for the basic controls and mechanics, and then throws players into the 25 Amateur levels, which then introduce a few other systems, from ramps and powered jumps, to obstacles that require precision and reflexes.

Each level comes with five different objectives but reaching the end automatically unlocks the next one, so you don't have to necessarily complete all the tasks. However, achieving all the goals unlocks that level's Pro version, which comes with even tougher requirements and an alternate layout. Completing them enables players to compete in another series of even tougher stages that aren't for the inexperienced.

Completing some stages or objectives can prove frustrating, especially towards the later worlds, but OlliOlli 2 manages to avoid aggravating players like its predecessor did. You can always try out other modes, like the Daily Challenge, which offers you a single chance at setting a high score.

You can also enter the Spots mode where you go through specific portions of the regular levels and try to set the highest score possible. You can practice in the Skatepark, but the mode has just 13 different tutorials, and no actual free mode that allows players to pull off some specific move, which are all included in the Tricktionary.

Restarting a stage is quick and easy, so even if you do mess up, you can quickly get back on the board and try again.

Developer Roll7 promised that a multiplayer mode would eventually be patched into the game in the future, but right now, you can only battle others when it comes to your high scores and leaderboards.

Level design is quite good, as each world manages to keep things fresh and offer plenty of outlandish decorations, from Aztec status, to Wild West saloons, and much more. However, the constantly changing visual themes makes it a bit tougher to orient yourself when it comes to what's a grind and what's an actual surface, so expect to die quite a bit before you get your bearings set in that specific environment.

The new manual mechanic in OlliOlli2
The new manual mechanic in OlliOlli2

Visuals and Sound

OlliOlli 2 forgoes the pixelated style used by its predecessor and employs a newer, slicker look that sports flat textures and performs quite well. The vibrant colors make the whole thing stand out and the animations are as smooth as ever.

There are moments when the level design gets a bit hard to read, especially when you're zipping by at full speed. There are also times when obstacles are hard to spot, as you aren't sure if they're just background decorations or they're actual things that might cause you to restart the whole stage.

The soundtrack is once again top notch, managing to offer some great tunes that complement the action on the screen. However, some vocal elements can prove to be distracting, sometimes, so not all tracks might be to your liking.


The Good

  • Great addition of the Manual mechanic
  • Lots of varied worlds
  • Smoother difficulty curve
  • Polished visuals

The Bad

  • Some levels make it hard to distinguish background elements
  • Quite hard to practice specific advanced moves
  • Later levels require way too much trial-and-error

Conclusion

OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood is a solid sequel that manages to provide quite a bit of innovation through its Manual system, while bringing more varied layouts and a slightly smoother difficulty curve. However, it still requires a lot of practice and can prove to be rather confusing when the level and visual design aren't that clear.

story 7
gameplay 8
concept 9
graphics 8
audio 9
multiplayer 0
final rating 8.5
Editor's review
very good
 
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OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood screenshots (17 Images)

OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood review on PS4Practice in OlliOlli2Examine objectives in OlliOlli2Complete objectives in OlliOlli2Reach the end of the stage in OlliOlli2
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