So what’s a developer to do when they want to evolve their game into something more than just leaping over spikes or slaying goofy looking enemy blobs? Ori and the Blind Forest’s solution is to lace every element of its gameplay with heartwarming narrative and stunning visual effects. The result is something spectacular.
Players follow the story of a small creature derived from light named Ori as it becomes separated from its family. Adopted by a part-human part-bear looking creature named Naru players follow their journey together living alone in a rather enchanting forest. By working together in the hunt for food we see just how close the pair become over time, but it’s not until their heartbreaking separation that Ori is forced to go off on their own into the heart of the wood.
The rest of the game is dedicated to Ori’s new quest - restoring life and light to the forest now poisoned in the wake of a cataclysmic event. Throughout Ori’s journey players will discover new powers that help along the way, from seemingly minor ones like the ability to double jump or glide to much more impressive attacks or ground slams.
Players gain experience from enemies and exploration that can be used to level up Ori’s powers. These bonuses range from interactable powers like at triple jump to passive abilities like infinite underwater breathing or increased range on health pickups. There’s a certain degree of customization in which you decide to unlock first, but a determined explorer can earn them all without feeling an overwhelming pressure to.
This natural progression of unlocking abilities would be meaningless if not for some excellent level design, and Ori’s environments are absolutely top notch. Backtracking is commonplace in these kinds of platform games but with secret routes, hidden passageways, and areas reachable using powers obtained further along in game it’s hard to get bored when moving from place to place. The level design in Ori and the Blind Forest is absolutely top notch, taking into account the player’s abilities from start to finish.
Helping the design excel even further is some absolutely stunning art direction. Ori’s world shifts from vivid hues to deadened shadows in the flicker of a few moments, and exploring the shift in color and detail between every major objective only breathes further life into Ori’s surroundings. Everything about Ori’s world is a treat, and this is accented even more by an incredible soundtrack that captures the mood of each event and setting flawlessly.
Despite boasting impressively lovely visuals and a remarkable soundtrack Ori is still a game about dodging spikes, solving puzzles and smashing enemies -- and like most platformers dying is something that’s going to happen. In fact Ori’s puzzles, while adorable in nature, can at times be unforgivingly brutal.
Pinpoint timing and accuracy is a requirement for many of Ori’s obstacles, and dying means you spawn back at the last checkpoint needing to redo anything else in between. To help cushion the blow Ori can create his own save points almost anytime by sacrificing a bit of energy, and not remembering to do so makes you a lot less frustrated at Ori and a lot more agitated at your own forgetfulness.
Complex and rarely repetitive Ori and the Blind Forest is the kind of game best used to show what art in motion can look like. Anyone who enjoys platforming or Metroidvania style games shouldn’t miss out on Ori, but if you’ve ever wanted to experience the genre without a AAA mascot tacked on Ori and the Blind Forest is a rare game that showcases a stunning narrative experience in place of marketing buzzwords and overrated hype.
Features:
- Single player platformer
- Metroidvania style powerups
- Unique save system
- Incredible visuals and soundtrack
- Emotional storytelling
Reviewed for Xbox One