OlliOlli World: Void Riders Is A Perfect Escape To The Outer Limits Of Skate

User Rating: 9
OlliOlli World Void Riders UFO mechanic

OlliOlli World: Void Riders just flipped into view today and this timely DLC addition to the world of Radlandia is the perfect way to catch some more air with one of our favorite games of 2022.

Rolling straight out of the outer limits of OlliOlli World, Void Riders marks the first major addition to Roll7’s skateboarding sim. Available now at around $9.99/ £9.99 or local equivalent across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam, and Nintendo Switch, Void Riders is a fully formed DLC rather than a free update, thrusting players into a new realm of adventures and building on the beautifully executed February release.

void riders sunshine valley

 

For anybody that follows the mildly psychedelic lore that weaves its way through the idyllic seaside resort of Sunshine Valley and beyond, this new DLC finds alien entities, named Sair’Rah, Khehvyn, and Pftangxi, crashing down into Radlandia. These extra steezy extraterrestrial troublemakers are out to grab a piece of this skate haven all for themselves. In another game that might mean a high stakes shootout to save the rails beneath your board, but OlliOlli World isn’t cut from the same cloth as other adventures. Instead, newly crowned skate gods and upstart alley oopers will find themselves skating by the skin of their teeth through a whole new set of eerie and UFO inspired stages in order to satisfy the machinations of Nebulord and get this alien menace the hell out of our skate park.

Old World New

In actuality, the Void Riders beams a series of new tracks, challenges, and rewards into an already exceptional experience. Players that have already rolled through most of the base game’s existing content will unlock the ability to play through the Void Riders DLC upon completing the Route 66 track. This is thematically appropriate, as it is also the area of Radlandia that represents a nod and a wink to traditional Sci-fi shlock with levels like Area 41. It also ensures that any newcomers have mastered the skills required to take on the minions of Nebulord.

void riders hail nebulord

 

Once spawned on the overworld map, a trio of new purple points of interest is easily discernable from the rest of this laid back getaway, and that is true of the overall tone of Void Riders. While fitting the aesthetic and animation style that Roll7 established with the more recent reimagining of this fast paced series, Void Riders adds a personality of its very own. The new characters are a trio of faceless bipedal explorers beamed down to scour the landscape of Radlandia, and while Mike and co might be pastel colored stylized creations, these are a brightly painted mix of shapes that would be easily at home in among Mardi Gra parades. Like the blistering personalities of these unorthodox foot soldiers, who will break out into “ALL HAIL NEBULORD” at any given chance, the tracks and trials that make Void Riders are an iteration on an existing theme.

Stumbling into view, the brand-new tracks from the Void take existing backdrops around explored playspace and drape them in a new design. Eerie colors, and outlandish shapes sit alongside giant sea monsters and bright piñatas, all strewn across a trio of trickery that poke fun at modern alien mythos as quickly as they do old Eldritch tales. It’s a wonderful new spectrum of ideas all done in good humor and that somehow still holds onto the charm and accessibility of the base game.

 

void riders new hats

 

The new mechanics that do land, are just as easy to use as before. Most obvious is the UFO tractor beam that allows competitors to ascend skywards by simply pressing the right analog stick. Thankfully, such an ingenious idea isn’t just thrown at the current maps to layer on difficulty. Instead, Roll7 uses simple systems to build a diverse range of challenges, from a straight forward dash to the finish to a timed pinata bash that handles like a certain blue hedgehog’s underwater Labyrinth Zone.

These new experiences in existing zones open the way into a world of Hype. Should you manage to master enough of the new tracks and chases, then you’ll be able to enter the Void. Another iteration on an existing theme, this is endgame ups the thrills a little. Here the jumps are bigger, the pace faster, and the color palette a little more out there. This Void isn’t any more alien than the rest of the new content and is simply less lenient on mistakes with bigger jumps and tighter timing required. Still, the familiar rush of backboard on rail is still enough to make you keep on trying to master the next big leap.

Through all of these new experiences, fantastic timing and quick wits are paramount to winning this space race. OlliOlli World continues to be accessible yet difficult to master at the top end. While a simple stick push unlocks an entirely new mechanic, there’s almost always a way to catch more air and score a better landing. With plenty of new and colorful rewards on offer too, those willing to see where the humble skateboard can go should aim for the next star to the left and try to get the timing right. Void Riders is a fantastic new merlin twist for a game that already knows its nollies. Prepare to leap out into the unknown by checking out our review of OlliOlli World or heading to the official OlliOlli World website now.

Summary
A fantastic new addition to a game that nails the landing. OlliOlli World's Void Riders DLC pushes the envelope jsut a little, without loosing any of the charm and delight that make the core game one of our favorite's of this year. time to All Hail Nebulord!
Good
  • Easily Accessible
  • Bright & Fun
  • Inventive Use Of New Mechanics
Bad
  • Later maps ratchet up the difficulty
  • You don't enjoy fun
9
Amazing
Written by
For those of you who I’ve not met yet, my name is Ed. After an early indoctrination into PC gaming, years adrift on the unwashed internet, running a successful guild, and testing video games, I turned my hand to writing about them. Now, you will find me squawking across a multitude of sites and even getting to play games now and then

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