Ori and the Blind Forest has made waves since its launch in 2015 and there’s an argument to be made that it could have been even bigger had it launched multiplatform. In recent years there has been a steadily blurred line for console and PC players with even Sony finally allowing crossplay. That general shift in mentality seems to have led Microsoft into releasing several games on other platforms like Cuphead on Switch, Gears 5 on Steam, and Ori and the Blind Forest on Switch. How has this beautifully animated Metroidvania held up? I come at with fresh eyes for this review.
For background, Ori and the Blind Forest is a visually stunning platformer starring Ori, a forest creature taking on the call of the Spirit Tree following a terrible tragedy. A great owl, Kuro, steals a core in anger, pitching the forest into decay and ruin. Ori teams up with a glowing orb named Sein to restore three elements found at the ends of dangerous dungeon-like areas and return the forest to its proper state. Narrative is simple in this title but loaded with emotion. This is done through simple cutscenes and narration where for the most part actions speak much louder than words.
In regards to the story, I found myself immediately captivated by the world of Ori and Blind Forest. Characters move gracefully or menacingly depending on their intentions. Colors and sound also play into conveying a particular emotion. It reminds me a bit of some of the Pixar shorts that feature little dialogue. This game also has a ton of weight in the storytelling; there are tragedies, triumphs, and twists even if they are rather simple when explained.
For most players though, Ori and the Blind Forest shines as a snappy platformer. Ori steadily unlocks new abilities, giving them stronger attacks to blast away barriers, add extra jumps, or scale walls to name a few. These moves are simple enough but the way they flow is really masterful design. By the end of the game, I found myself expertly dancing around the environments and became super efficient at reaching areas even if they initially looked impossible to reach.
Exploration is pretty straightforward but diving into nooks and crannies is rewarded with upgrade points. These are spent for better combat prowess, mobility, or things that just make the journey more manageable. For example, I spent most of my points early on in bettering the save point ability. In Ori and the Blind Forest, players are able to set their own respawn points provided they have the energy. This creates an interesting self-challenge, letting the player decide when they need a safety net. Unfortunately, there are some segments that seem a little too precise for my taste but overall I was able to get through the game in under seven hours over a weekend.
Ori and the Blind Forest’s identity is in its presentation and music. Visual elements are crisp and often look like moving concept art. The audio work is truly exceptional; the main theme is empowering, magical, and mysterious. Even at the outset of the adventure, it’s clear that every moment was carefully considered in how the player feels when being presented to them.
Some really enjoy the level design in Ori and the Blind Forest but I found myself pretty underwhelmed by it. My main criticism is the use of foreground assets, which often obscure enemies and pits. I felt like I didn’t have a chance when it came to certain obstacles and it came up often enough that I was just eager to finish the game. I did collect most of the optional items but didn’t go for the full 100% run. I took one look at the achievements list and determined that I just didn’t have the patience for it, especially that no-death run, though it does look like there are some exploits to make it much easier.
My favorite moments were encounters with Kuro. This terrifying owl has a sinister presence that most video game antagonists fail to capture. Kuro is lethal and easily stops Ori from proceeding through swift talon strikes. These areas of the game were tense and fun to pull off. They don’t overstay their welcome either, unlike the game’s lava area which goes on far too long for my tastes.
Beating dungeon areas does have larger effects on the world, such as flooding areas after beating the water dungeon. These moments make the world feel more alive and it is cool to discover new areas and challenges due to these changes. I do wish that there had been more of this or at least items that were more dramatic as exploration rewards but there’s always hope for the upcoming sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
After years of seeing praise for this game, I found myself underwhelmed. It seems to run like a dream on Switch and this is the Definitive Version of the game, so all the extras are here, but I just didn’t find myself as in love with it as I’d have hoped. Maybe this says something about expectations in gaming. . . There are moments that I genuinely think could have been tuned up and I wish that some of the foreground assets had been moved or reduced but overall Ori and the Blind Forest is a mostly exciting journey through a realized fairy tale of a world. I don’t find much reason to jump back in anytime soon but I’m glad it’s there and it’s cool to see Microsoft letting go of some of their games that could benefit from being on more platforms.
In conclusion, I’m not in the camp of this game being a masterpiece but I get why people are into it.
More information about Ori and the Blind Forest can be found on the official website. A Switch digital copy was provided for the purpose of review. For more review content, check out my last Switch platforming adventure, Whipseey and the Lost Atlas. For something with a bit more horror, I also reviewed Blair Witch. Lastly, we recently put out our thoughts on Bad North: Jotunn Edition on Android.
