"OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood" Review

     Welcome to Olliwood. For anyone who has never played "OlliOlli", it is a simple enough to grasp, yet incredibly hard to master, 2D skateboarding platformer. OlliOlli2 is an all around better experience than the first installment. It adds new tricks, new grinds, new stages, manuals and a soon to be added split-screen multiplayer mode. Each level in "OlliOlli" features five challenges to complete. While you only need to finish the level to move on to the next one, completing the challenges offers a nice sense of accomplishment for the player. For each level you "five-star", a pro version of that level is unlocked. The short explanation; a WAY HARDER level.

     

      It's clear that the developers, Roll7, went for a much cleaner, smoother experience this time around. The first game was essentially 8bit, while OlliOlli2 isn't pixelated at all. It's the little things in games that matter the most; like certain animations, fine-tuned controls, eye catching environments and extra content. OlliOlli2 has all of these. The game's controls are essentially set to the left stick, triggers and "X" button. The left stick is used for tricks and grinds similar to EA's "Skate" controls. If you ever have a problem with executing a trick or a grind, just look it up in the game's handy "Tricktionary". The "X" button is used for landing your tricks and pushing for more speed. You're going to want to tap it right before you land in order to achieve a perfect landing, awarding you more points for your trick or combo. Depending on when you tap it, you'll be awarded an either okay, sick, perfect, sketchy or sloppy landing. Landing manuals allows you to continue your combos for as long as you want; that is, until you screw up. A smile will light up your face each time you land a trick or a long combo and see your score shoot up.

     While the environments for each stage in the first game were different, they remained dull. The sequel changes things up by adding a splash of color and creativity to each of its five stages. "OlliWood" is just how it sounds, a Hollywood-esque stage with palm trees and skyscrapers in the background. Some levels even have movie sets. "Curse of The Aztec" is reminiscent of the "Indiana Jones" films with skull statues, molten lava below you, volcanoes, trees with hanging monkeys and spike traps. "Gunmetal Creek" is a Western Stage with dynamite you must avoid, a chugging train and canyons in the background. Cool sidenote-stages have ramps to boost your speed if you trick off of them. "Gunmetal Creek's" ramps are revolvers that shoot when you trick off of them. "Carnival of The Dead" is an abandoned theme park filled with hazardous waste, carnival rides in the background, bright colorful lights and roller coaster tracks you can skate up and down on. It rains in this stage as well, creating a beautiful scenery. "Titan Sky" is a futuristic stage with giant robots in the background, along with flying cars and floating platforms. Each stage brings something new and fresh to the table, keeping you on your toes.

     OlliOlli2 has quite a few things for the completionists out there. As I said before, there is a pro level for each level you five-star. If you five-star every level, you unlock "RAD MODE", a new difficulty mode. There is also "Daily Grind"; a daily contest where you only get one shot at a stage to score your highest among the other players on the leaderboards. There are "Spots", which are basically shortened versions of each level without challenges. The "Skatepark" offers tutorials for each skill just in case you ever need a refresher course. The game's soundtrack is top-notch. Each track fits perfectly, never being too fast or too slow for the game's pace. 
     When I first started playing OlliOlli2 I loved it, then I hated it, then loved it again. It's an endless cycle. It's quick reset button similar to Hotline Miami allows you to repeat any level instantly if you fail. If you're like me, you'll spend hours trying to five-star each level. Even after I beat a level, I found myself going back trying to beat my high score. Time flies when skating through "OlliOlli's" world. In that time, your thumb will ache severely, your throat will be soar from yelling at your TV and you might even hate yourself a little bit. However, I promise you that completing the level challenges is rewarding. To know that your effort paid off and you have those stars to show for it is a great feeling. Roll7 clearly has a deep passion for making video games and I hope they keep putting as much love into their other games as they did for "OlliOlli."

PROS:
- Incredible art style
- Fine-tuned controls
- Extra content for completionists
- Perfect Soundtrack
- Difficult, but rewarding gameplay
Final Score: 10/10