Ori and the Blind Forest

🔥 What is Ori and the Blind Forest

Ori and the Blind Forest is a visually stunning 2D Metroidvania-style platformer that combines breathtaking art, emotional storytelling, and challenging gameplay. Released originally in 2015, the game follows the journey of Ori, a small white guardian spirit, who must restore balance to the dying forest of Nibel after a cataclysmic event.

The game begins with a heart-wrenching prologue that sets the emotional tone for the adventure ahead. Players witness Ori being adopted by a creature named Naru, who raises the spirit as her own child. When disaster strikes and the forest begins to wither, Ori is left alone to embark on a quest to restore the three elements-Water, Wind, and Warmth-that maintain the balance of Nibel.

What makes Ori and the Blind Forest stand out is its dreamlike presentation that draws inspiration from animated films like those of Hayao Miyazaki. The lush environments, fluid animations, and orchestral score create an immersive world that feels alive despite its decay. The environmental storytelling is masterful, conveying powerful emotions often without words.

👉 Features of Ori and the Blind Forest

Innovative Save System

One of the most distinctive features of Ori and the Blind Forest is its unique “Soul Link” save system. Unlike traditional games with predetermined checkpoints, players can create their own save points almost anywhere in the game world. This system adds a strategic layer to the experience, as creating Soul Links requires energy cells that are limited in supply, forcing players to think carefully about when and where to save their progress.

Ability Progression

As players guide Ori through the forest, they’ll unlock various abilities that enhance both movement and combat options. These include wall-jumping, double-jumping, and the ability to launch enemy projectiles back at foes. Each new skill seamlessly builds upon previous ones, creating an elegantly smooth progression from a powerless sprite to a nimble and capable guardian.

Challenging Escape Sequences

Each of the three main dungeons culminates in an intense, no-checkpoint escape sequence that tests players’ mastery of Ori’s abilities. These adrenaline-pumping segments require perfect timing and execution as death literally chases at your heels. While brutally difficult, these sequences deliver some of the game’s most memorable and satisfying moments.

Ability Trees

The game features three distinct ability trees that allow players to customize Ori’s capabilities according to their preferred playstyle. By collecting ability points through defeating enemies and finding skill orbs throughout the world, players can enhance Ori’s offensive capabilities or focus on supportive skills.

Gameplay

Ori and the Blind Forest is a Metroidvania at heart, emphasizing exploration, collection, and backtracking to previously inaccessible areas as new abilities are acquired. The forest of Nibel is a vast interconnected world filled with secrets, power-ups, and challenging platforming sections.

Movement in the game feels fluid and responsive, with running and jumping animations that are both functional and beautiful to watch. Combat initially revolves around Sein, Ori’s companion who can shoot Spirit Flames at enemies, but expands as players unlock new abilities that can be used offensively.

The difficulty curve is steep but fair, with the game becoming increasingly challenging as players progress. The most difficult segments are the escape sequences, which require mastery through repetition and precise execution of moves.

Pros and Cons

✔️ Pros

• Breathtaking visual design and animation that creates a truly magical atmosphere
• Emotionally engaging story that connects players to the characters and world
• Fluid, responsive controls that make platforming a joy
• Innovative Soul Link save system that adds strategic depth
• Satisfying ability progression that constantly evolves gameplay
• Memorable musical score that enhances the emotional impact

❌ Cons

• Combat can feel uneven, with basic attacks becoming less effective later in the game
• Occasional difficulty spikes, particularly during escape sequences, may frustrate some players
• Visual elements sometimes make it difficult to distinguish platforms from background art
• Ori’s small size on screen can make it hard to track during hectic moments
• Story elements might be confusing for some players without paying close attention