Overview
Ori and the Blind Forest is a metroidvania platformer developed by the Austrian studio Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, originally released in 2015. The Definitive Edition, released in 2016, adds new areas, new abilities and difficulty modes. I played it on PC through Xbox Game Pass.
Story and world
You play as Ori, a small guardian spirit who fell from the Spirit Tree during a storm and was taken in by Naru, a creature who raises Ori as her own child. When the forest of Nibel starts to wither, Ori sets out to bring it back to life, guided by Sein, the light of the Spirit Tree.
It tells a beautiful story, largely without dialogue.
Gameplay
I admit the controls were a bit tricky at first, while I figured out the mechanics, but you get used to them. The game does not hold your hand, and yet progression flows well.
As in any metroidvania, you unlock abilities over the course of the adventure (double jump, wall jump, etc.) that open up access to new areas. The game also has an original save system: you create your own save points by spending energy.
There is a good difficulty spike, especially during the escape sequences where you have to chain jumps without a single mistake.
Graphics and music
Ori is a real gem: it is beautiful, with very detailed hand-painted scenery.
The music, composed by Gareth Coker, is sublime.
Verdict
Ori is a real gem: it is beautiful, the music is sublime and the story is lovely. The controls take a little time to get used to, but the progression is well thought out and the difficulty is well balanced. I truly loved this game and I recommend it.