If I had to describe this game in a single word, it would be “Masterpiece”. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is genuinely one of the better platformers out there and probably one of the best games I’ve ever played. The sequel to 2015’s Ori and the Blind Forest, the game takes place within an enchanting fairytale-like world that’s bound to dazzle your eyes. Coupled with fantastic artwork, a superb storyline and probably one of the best game soundtracks ever to date, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is nothing short of magnificent.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is set after the events of Ori and the Blind forest. You control a lovable spirit guardian named Ori and set out into a luscious world where you face challenging foes and dangerous territories while meeting new friends along the way. You begin the game with no abilities and no means of battling the many monsters that lie in wait within the dense Nibel Forest.
As you proceed through the game, you must explore every nook and cranny throughout the map to discover new abilities and weapons which allow you to proceed along with the story. Nowadays, most RPGs give you the exact instructions to a mission or even give detailed routes to reach your destination. In my opinion, it muddies the gameplay and makes things too easy for the player. Ori does this differently, though, as you’re expected to wander and find clues as to where you’re supposed to go next. The maps are detailed but don’t tell you exactly where to go, making the game pretty challenging to play. Some might find this annoying, but I think this gives the game its identity as the feeling of euphoria you get when you finally solve each map is extremely rewarding. You could say it feels as great as finally solving an extremely challenging math question, but that’s just my take on it.
The game isn’t just that simple in terms of mechanics. You obtain many skills, which tend to build upon one another, allowing you to perform more intricate types of movements. Some puzzles require real big brain maneuvers that you have to discover for yourself. It does add to the depth of the game, making it super fun and super rewarding. Combat is quite repetitive, though, and gets a little stale. I usually find myself trying to avoid enemies instead of battling them as it’s just really too much of a hassle. On the other hand, Boss battles are super challenging as you memorize their attack patterns to bring them down. It usually takes a few or more tries, but the game is forgiving in that you can start right back where you died and try again.
The aesthetics of the game are also really detailed. The fantastic artwork, intricately designed terrains, enemies, and characters make the overall experience easy on the eyes. The real MVP of this game, though, is its soundtrack. Gareth Coker, composer of the Ori and the Will of the Wisps soundtrack, did a tremendous job. The BGM does set the tone of the game well and is an integral part of what makes Ori so mesmerizing and enchanting to play.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an entire cohesive package where you get great gameplay, a fantastic storyline, superb graphics, and fitting soundtracks to go along. Having played the game on the switch, I feel it would be a great addition to your collection of switch games. The controls are simple and feel intuitive to play. The graphics also aren’t too bad and provides a fully immersive experience on the go. All in all, moon studios did yet another fantastic job with this game, and I have no qualms with calling it a masterpiece.
