Ori & The Blind Forest (PC, Xbox One & Switch)

Ori and the Blind Forest

Developer – Moon Studios

Publisher – Microsoft Studios

Director – Thomas Mahler

Producer – Gennadiy Korol

PEGI – 7

Created by a massive collaboration of developers worldwide over a period of four years, Ori & The Blind Forest is a Metroidvania game following the adventures of the game’s titular character Ori and companion Sein. As they set out to restore the forest of Nibel, which has come under threat having lost the balance between three elements. Waters, winds, and warmth. After having played this game almost 100%, I was enthralled with it from beginning to end. Everything from its art style and the soundtrack to its direction in terms of gameplay and story made for one of the most standout gaming experiences of the eighth generation. 

Graphics – 10/10

Similar to games like Cuphead and Child of Light, the game features entirely hand-drawn graphics. Though in this case influenced largely by the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Locations within the game range from a mixture of light-filled and dark forest settings to vibrant, sunny glades, icy chasms, and fiery volcanic formations. No matter the specific location, however, everywhere in this game has a level of eloquence to it. In one way or another. And it all highlights the meticulous dedication the development team showed to bringing the project to life.

The accompanying soundtrack perfectly fits every location. As well as every situation the player finds themself within the game. Be that whilst peacefully traversing through sunlit greenery or whilst having to dash away from a volcanic eruption. But even during moments of both absolute tranquility and absolute calamity, the game still maintains that same level of eloquence throughout. In my case, so much so that I didn’t care how many times I died in moments of urgency. I thought it was worth attempting that many times just to soak up the game’s wonderful atmosphere.

Gameplay – 8/10

As a Metroidvania, the game follows most of the typical tropes you would expect to find in a game of the genre. Most notably having to gain all manner of different abilities to access each area as the play progresses. However, Ori & The Blind Forest offers players a very interesting spin on things. With a unique combat system encouraging players to strategize in accordance with what enemies they’re up against. Combat can also even be a means to access new or hidden locations throughout the game.

There is also an ability tree that players can use to upgrade pre-existing abilities or learn new ones by gaining experience in combat. Giving the game an RPG feel to it. The combat isn’t as intense as it is in other Metroidvania games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night or Dust: An Elysian Tail. But it demands almost as much from gamers as enemies become stronger over time. And different abilities need to be used to overcome them. The game also demands a fair bit from players in respect of exploration. As there are many challenging platformer obstacles to traverse and puzzles to be solved throughout. It challenges players, but not to the point of it becoming inaccessible. 

Controls – 10/10

As in many Metroidvania titles, the staggering variety in controls becomes more and more apparent as the player progresses through the game. With the different abilities to learn and incorporate throughout. At first, I thought that it may become a problem, as the same buttons are used for different abilities in varying different respects. But all it is is a matter of getting used to strategizing. In accordance with whatever situation the players may find themself in. It reminded me a lot of Metroid Prime in that respect. Because although that game was a first-person shooter, it doesn’t entirely feel like one in many respects. And I found it to be the same case with Ori & The Blind Forest. It’s a Metroidvania game. But there are certain instances in which it doesn’t feel like one in respect of its control scheme. Further adding to the game’s sense of uniqueness. 

Lifespan – 5/10

Completing the game to 100% can take there around 12 hours. Which to me, is undoubtedly this game’s biggest drawback. Although this game was undeniably a labor of love and it shows in every little detail, it just seemed to be a criminally short amount of time for a game of this quality to last. It’s in this aspect where I hoped that this is where the sequel, Ori & The Will Of The Wisps would come in. Similar to the transition between Onimusha and Onimusha 2. 

Storyline – 8/10

The game’s plot follows Ori, a guardian spirit that fell from the Spirit Tree of the forest of Nibel. Ori is later found by a forest inhabitant named Naru, who adopts Ori and raises her. Later, Naru dies of starvation, and Ori is left to fend for herself. She later becomes embroiled in a quest to restore the forest of Nibe. It begins to deteriorate since the forest has lost balance between the elements of water, winds, and warmth. Matters have also been worsened by the fact that the core of the Spirit Tree had been stolen by a demonic, shadowy owl named Kuro. Throughout, Ori has to traverse the forest to restore the three elements and the core of the Spirit Tree. Whilst coming under the threat of the forest’s many dangerous creatures and natural obstacles whilst also avoiding the clutches of Kuro.

The game’s story, as well as its art direction, was also heavily inspired by the works of Hayao Miyazaki. It’s vivid, and fantastical. And packed with emotional moments that will have players on the edges of their seats. But it also perpetuates a sense of moral ambiguity; especially towards the end. So much so that I found myself questioning who the real hero was and if the villain truly is a villain at heart. This works to separate it from the works of Studio Ghibli as moral ambiguity isn’t that prominent a theme in the works of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and others who worked for the company and it’s something new to compliment a story that was heavily inspired by the two aforementioned film directors. 

Originality – 8/10

Whilst critiquing the control scheme, I mentioned that there are certain instances in which the controls make it feel like more than a conventional Metroidvania game. But this can be said for every other aspect of Ori & The Blind Forest in addition. It’s largely unconventional in its gameplay, it’s the scenery, the soundtrack, and its story. Ahead of playing it, I knew that I was in for something special with this title, but I wasn’t quite prepared for exactly how special it would turn out to be. Everything from its combat system to its environmental design to its themes of loss, tragedy, and moral ambiguity makes it stand out from most of every other game I’ve ever played. 

Happii

Overall, Ori & The Blind Forest is a must-have not only for Metroidvania fans but for gamers in general. It’s a title that has had every element handled with a degree of love and care that every standout game should have and whilst it didn’t last as long as I thought it had the potential to, it’s certainly worth at least one playthrough at minimum. 

Score

49/60

8/10 (Very Good)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *