Ori and the Blind Forest Reviews
Gorgeous, brutally difficult and utterly wonderful
A stunning audiovisual, platforming achievement
The charm of a beautifully-rendered forest world and its adorable denizens belies a challenging Metroidvania experience in Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition, an updated re-release of the 2015 indie hit. Will you be able to restore light to the forest, or will you fall prey to the razor-sharp talons of the dreaded Kuro?
Ori and the Blind Forest combines enthralling narrative sandwiching derivative but solid gameplay. It's this approach that makes you wish the rest of it was as compelling. But by the time you've realised that, you've been played, the fantastic presentation would have pushed you to its end, which should take you around seven hours. Well played Moon Studios, well played.
After years of seeing praise for this game, I found myself underwhelmed. It seems to run like a dream on Switch and this is the Definitive Version of the game, so all the extras are here, but I just didn’t find myself as in love with it as I’d have hoped.
Ori and the Blind Forest had the potential to be a game that appealed to all gamers, casual and hardcore alike. Unfortunately, the difficulty spikes (and the aforementioned bugs) keep this one solely in the realm of core gamers and speed runners. While it's still a good game, it seems silly to limit its audience unnecessarily. Perhaps Moon Studios will hit perfection in its sophomore outing.
This is a powerful experience that we expect will be remembered for a long time to come, and it's, without question, one of the best games available for the Xbox One. That's a big statement, we know, but Ori's got more than enough spirit to back it up.
Much more than a pretty face, Ori and the Blind Forest is a remarkably solid – if somewhat disappointingly conventional – Metroidvania with a drop of 90s Nintendo magic flowing in its veins.
Games with outstanding aesthetics always run the risk of falling victim to the old "style over substance" criticism, but Ori and the Blind Forest supports its style with a constant stream of timeless, captivating substance.
All things considered, should you buy the Definitive Edition and play through it again if you already had the original version? Considering there are extra areas that have been added and the game has gotten easier (or harder if you choose to) + you can now traverse it more easily; I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I doubt many people will feel satisfied by one playthrough either way so this is the best possible method to experience it again. For players who are new to the game: It's no longer possible to buy the old version but it'll be included for free when you buy the Definitive Edition.
'Ori and the Blind Forest' isn't just a great platformer, it's a work of art. It oozes style and charm and has an accessible and touching story. Games like this don't come along every day. Despite its brevity, $20 is well worth the experience.
Ori and the Blind Forest is a largely enjoyable game that gamers would be wise to try, even if just to experience its emotional story
The platform-esque nature of Ori and the Blind Forest might hold off gamers who feel that the genre isn't really their cup of tea. So, overall, I don't think there's much room for casual gamers here. This saddens me in a way, considering how much effort went into Ori's captivating animation, stunning backdrops and delightful tunes. However, even if I could persuade everyone to try Ori, chances are a majority of them won't play much of the game beyond the first several segments, because then the game shifts towards hardcore platforming. You seriously have to sweat and pant your way to your goal. Even those who are keen on platformers will have a hard time overcoming the challenges Ori has in store.
undefined.While I could pick apart some specific nagging problems in Ori and the Blind Forest, whether it's the combat or tiny platforming problems, my lasting memory of this recent replay and my previous Xbox One playthrough a few years ago is just the high moments. The bliss of exploring this world, combined with the deft storytelling and dazzling artwork, make for an enthralling adventure that stands tall as one of the modern classics of the Metroid-esque genre.
Ori and the Blind Forest makes you fall in love, first, with an art direction that pays attention to the last detail, then enthralls you with the soundtrack and finally, commits to you with precision control and perfect game mechanics. In short, Ori and the Blind Forest delivers on the winning formula that guarantees an experience like no other. If you own an Xbox One it is imperative that you play it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Congratulations, Moon Studios. On your website you have a premise: »we make the games we love to play. We hope you love them too. Rest assured that you have achieved it, you have launched the best title of the generation.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Moon Studios' Xbox One platformer is a gorgeous Metroidvania with a heartwarming story and gut-punching challenges.
It must be admitted that Ori and the Blind Forest are a great variety among the splendid eighth-generation exclusives and even most titles produced these days on large budgets, and can properly entertain your audience and create a good experience with ori's lovely personality so that you may succeed in experiencing an exciting adventure after a long time.
Review in Persian | Read full review
A complete game that has succeeded in all its pillars to reach such a position that sometimes even surprises the audience.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Overall, this is one of the best gaming experiences of the year, reaching out to players not only with unique visual processing, but also grabs your heart and examines your skills in bouncing.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
