It feels a bit strange to see games that were once Microsoft exclusives
appearing on a Nintendo system, but in 2019
we’ve had not just one, but two such cases.
This time it's Ori and the Blind Forest Definitive Edition,
a gorgeous action-adventure game originally released for the Xbox One and Windows 10 back in 2015.
The Switch port for Ori is a solid effort that runs smoothly in both handheld
and docked modes with no noticeable performance issues.
At the heart of Ori is a wonderfully crafted world where animals,
spirits, and other mythical creatures live together in harmony.
Through a series of unfortunate events, disaster befalls the land, and as the last beacon of hope,
Ori must travel between various environments to restore the elements that have fallen out of balance.
Using an evolving toolkit of traversal and combat abilities,
you must explore the hidden wonders of this harsh world
while simultaneously fighting against enemies and the forces of nature for survival.
The familiar Metroidvania structure serves Ori well, even if it tends to keep things simple.
Ori prefers to focus more on exploration and traversal over combat.
This is a good thing since combat isn’t one of Ori’s strengths.
Fighting against most enemies isn’t very stimulating.
The first hour or so is when combat feels the most meaningful
because you’re naturally weaker and the threat of death in battle is realistic.
However, once you gain some new abilities,
the struggle against your adversaries devolves into thoughtless button mashing.
Typically this is remedied by elaborate boss encounters,
but Ori forgoes these entirely in favor of intense escape sequences.
These sections nail the feeling of being in a frantic situation
with nothing but chaos unfolding all around you.
Adding to the tense nature is that death will send you back to the very start of these sequences,
which really ups the stakes.
The first escape section is a bit confusing towards the end
as its hard to tell where you should go, but the others go over much better.
There are several built-in checkpoints at key junctures like the escape sequences,
but for the most part, it’s up to you to generate your own save points.
By spending some of your blue energy meter, you can create a checkpoint
as long as the game indicates you’re in a safe location.
In the early goings it’s very easy to forget to erect a new checkpoint
only to die and lose a decent chunk of progress.
This might seem rather straightforward,
but the use of certain abilities requires energy as well.
There are situations when you have to choose between spending the last bit of available energy to save
or using it on a special ability to progress forward.
These few situations provide a modicum of uncertainty that’s
just enough to make you pause in your tracks and seriously consider the ramifications of your actions.
You’ll definitely feel the urge to frequently use your special abilities, too.
Ori is at its best when you have most of your abilities unlocked.
It’s at this point when movement feels fluid and great,
especially bouncing off projectiles and enemies to blaze through unscathed.
The platforming mechanics feel good for the most part, though they could be a bit tighter.
Despite this, your unique abilities make traversing the world of Ori
one of the best things about this game.
Aside from just wanting to complete the story,
Ori tucks away lots of hidden power ups and secret paths in each of its brilliant environments
that provide plenty of incentive to explore the unknown.
The only downside is that it feels a bit too easy to discern
how to reach these secrets or simply where you need to go next,
especially as you unlock the ability to see various hidden items on the game’s map.
It might seem like Ori falls a bit on the shorter side clocking in at around 8-10 hours, but
the length feels just right, avoiding the pitfall of overstaying its welcome or becoming a chore.
The game also does a fantastic job of pulling at your heartstrings with absolutely depressing moments
often countered by equally uplifting payoffs.
Though we’ve seen far more ambitious entries in the genre over the past year or two,
Ori elevates itself by doing the basics very well and wrapping them in an emotional experience
brought to life by stunning visuals and a wonderful soundtrack.
If you missed out the first time around,
here’s another chance to dive into the captivating world of Ori and the Blind Forest,
and just in time before the sequel arrives early next year.
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