Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
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Rating Summary
Based on 35 critic reviews
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Score Distribution
Unscored Reviews
Top Critic
Top Critic
Few games come close to being this well made, this lovingly animated, and so madly pleasurable to play.
Scored Reviews
Ori and the Blind Forest is a truly beautiful game that plays amazingly, features an excellent musical score, and is fine-tuned down to the absolute tiniest details. It's a masterclass in game design, and its presence on Switch in the form of Definitive Edition only adds to the long list of compelling reasons to buy into the platform. If this is any indication of Microsoft's plans for releasing any of its first-party back catalog on Switch, then the future looks extremely bright.
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition is an unbelievably good experience on the Nintendo Switch, and it's one everyone should try. With it's jaw-dropping visuals, beautifully crafted soundtrack, and surprisingly difficult nature, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition is undoubtedly worth your time and money.
Top Critic
Visually, Ori and The Blind Forest scores high marks. The level design is beautiful as the colours pop from the screen and art design is equally fantastic.
Top Critic
Finally, one of the best metroidvania of this generation arrives on Switch thanks to its Definitive Edition. If you never experienced the story of Ori and the Blind Forest, this is your chance to guide the hero through a beautiful and meaningful journey.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Top Critic
Whether you've never experienced the game before or are eager to check out what's new, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition is an experience you'll be sure to love.
Top Critic
Perhaps the true definitive version of Ori and the Blind Forest assuming you can get it running at 4K. Even if you can't and you haven't played it yet, it's still one of the very best platformers of the last few years with a stunning art style, incredible score, and emotional storyline.
Top Critic
This is just the same wonderful game that was first released in 2015, and it's delightful to see it given a new lease of life on Nintendo Switch.
Top Critic
Ori's second appearance is just as memorable as the first. The world is just as gorgeous as before and with two new zones to discover and explore, there is more to unlock for players both old and new. The difficulty has been ramped up for those wanting a better challenge, and only the best of the best will survive One Life mode.
Top Critic
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition - while superfluous - makes a near-perfect game even better. If you haven't played it, now is the perfect time - and even if you have, it's worth revisiting.
Top Critic
This is a shining example of how a re-release should be handled, and Moon Studios has raised the bar by adding meaningful content that improves both the narrative and gameplay.
Top Critic
Just as the game isn't content to rest on clichéd gameplay conventions, neither does it lean on stereotypical villains.
Top Critic
What we have here is a flawless port of a game which absolutely deserves all of the praise it has received. From start to finish, Ori and the Blind Forest is a real joy to play.
Top Critic
Ori and the Blind Forest was great when it first came out and it's still great in the Definitive Edition. It has an emotionally effective story and gameplay that is worth the price of admission alone. Once finished you'll come back to these comments to connect with someone who also understands the journey you took. Now go save Nibel in what's sure to be a classic in the platforming genre.
Top Critic
'Ori and the Blind Forest' is the kind of game that didn't cry out for a remaster so soon (or at all), not because it was flawed but because it was so amazing. At only $5 for previous 'Ori' owners, it is difficult not to recommend to any Xbox One owner, especially because the new difficulty levels make its strenuous challenges more attainable. It still remains a specific kind of platformer and therefore something somewhat niche, but I am not ashamed to say that it is my favorite Xbox exclusive of this generation to date.
Top Critic
For players who have already played through Ori before, the definitive version's new areas are a good enough reason to jump back into the forest, and for new players, there's no reason to not experience what this game has to offer.
Top Critic
Definitive Edition clearly exists to ensure the best possible version of Ori and the Blind Forest is on the market, and Moon Studios has undoubtedly succeeded in that regard. If you haven't made the time for this magical Metroidvania yet, this is the way to go. If you already own a copy of the original game and are itching for another playthrough, readmission is worth the $5 upgrade. The new additions don't extend the length of the game by much, but they do freshen things up and breathe some new life into an already wonderful experience.
Top Critic
It’s not perfect, but Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition is one of those games that everyone should play at least once.
Top Critic
The end result is a game that is phenomenal in its presentation and very decent in gameplay. Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition doesn't necessarily set a new standard or innovate within the Metroidvania genre, but it does create an experience that is elevated by its otherwise stellar production values. Ultimately, it's up to personal preference, but you should give the game a chance; you'd likely regret it otherwise.
Top Critic
The Switch's catalogue of Metroidvania titles was already impressive - though ironically it's still lacking an actual Metroid - and now its ranks have been bolstered by one of the best in recent memory. Ori and the Blind Forest is an absolute masterpiece, a beautiful story polished to perfection in both its artistic design and core gameplay mechanics. The utterly beautiful presentation and soundtrack crafts a charming and memorable world and there are more stories in that world to come as Ori and the Will of the Wisps landing on Xbox One in a few months. Hopefully, the Switch version comes shortly after.
There aren't many games that I have enjoyed as much as Ori and the Blind Forest in the past, and the changes made in Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition work to enhance the experience and remove some of the failings of the original release.
Ori and the Blind Forest is without a doubt one of the prettiest games ever made, with lush backdrops, silken animation, and heartfelt tenderness. While not revolutionary in design, it dazzles in beauty and splendor like few other games can, making it an easy recommendation for any Switch owner.
Ori and the Blind Forest is a beautiful, wonderful adventure, its fame preceded it but it has still surprised us, you have to do with it. He was already a must-have on Xbox One and on PC, and now he is a must-have for Nintendo Switch
Review in Spanish | Read full review
I can’t help but love Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition. Sure, it’s far harder than I expected, even on Normal, but that doesn’t take away from the glory of this experience. In my playthrough, I uncovered about 75% of the map, and still have plenty to unlock. And that’s not taking into account the many achievements you can fulfill (though I’m not even trying for Unhinged). For only $19.99, it’s hard to turn it down. While it’s true some of the mechanics and controls were a bit finicky for me, overall the game played like a dream. If you love emotional and unique experiences that truly draw you into the game, you have to play Ori and the Blind Forest. Even if you don’t think you’re good at platformers, you can always try on the easiest difficulty, because this is an adventure that demands to be experienced. Kudos to Moon Studios for developing it and to Microsoft for bringing it to another console.
Top Critic
Top Critic
"Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition" harkens back to an older time in gaming and all the good things about it. It's not for the impatient or poorly coordinated as the game will test your motor skills and temperament. Lovers of Metroidvania platforming who never played the original, however, should pick it up. And if you played last year's game, well, go ahead and pick this up again anyway.
Top Critic
The quality of life improvements are perhaps a bigger deal.
Top Critic
Moon Studios has not yet announced future plans, but the fact that they worked with Microsoft to create and launch the Definitive Edition for their first title means that gamers should be excited about their future projects.
Top Critic
The original was good enough that a Definitive Edition seems unnecessary, but the small additions and improvements only make this gorgeous platformer even more essential.
Top Critic
Gorgeous visuals and some sublime visual storytelling, Ori And The Blind Forest might not do much that is genuinely new but almost everything it does attempt is genuinely great.
Top Critic
If you played Ori and the Blind Forest last year, this new edition offers plenty of new content to warrant a second play through. With lush visuals, an imaginative world, and charming characters, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition is the best platforming game on the Xbox One, and one of the best games in the Xbox One software catalog.
Top Critic
Glowing stitch saves the forest.
Top Critic
While Ori and the Blind Forest's style and construction were unassailable, its subscription to its declared genre was prudent if not passive. Great art shouldn't be afraid to go outside of its lines. Definitive Edition, arriving nearly a year later, expands Ori's content but delivers a parallel message.
Top Critic
The Definitive Edition of Ori and The Blind Forest is the best this game can be. Returning players may want to tilt the score down while players who are discovering it for the first time will be in for a treat and should tilt the score up. As challenging as it can be, those sighs of relief after a particularly challenging sequence are still just as rewarding. Returning players may want to consider what their time is worth, however, as paying for additional "features" is not a route the industry should be going. If Ori burned you before (as it had me), don't expect an apology here. It's still pretty, fun, and occasionally frustrating, and it still might burn your parent's house down.
