Ori and the Blind Forest magically uplifts its gorgeous interconnected wooded world of majestic flora and hostile fauna through a viscerally melancholic narrative that elevates this sublime Metroidvania high above Nibel's leafy canopies.
WHAT I LIKED:
+ Pixar's helium-fuelled 'Up' is infamous for its emotionally affecting initial ten minutes. Well, Moon Studios attempt to match that saddening experience through its prologue of Ori's upbringing with Naru. You. Will. Cry. If no tears are shed, the eyes will undoubtedly be moist as the player unexpectedly welcomes the sorrowful tone beneath the beautiful art direction that truly powers the narrative of Ori's journey. A cataclysmic event results in the forest withering into decay, with Ori tasked in reviving the Spirit Tree by recovering the forest's light. There's death. There's destruction. But much like the Circle of Life, a concept Moon Studios was heavily influenced by, there's life. And the Blind Forest wholesomely attests to this concept through a visually stunning and emotional story that is just as important as the gameplay on offer.
+ Nibel has a life of its own. The rural world of Nibel, ranging from the serene marshlands of Thornfelt Swamp to the blustery Ghibli-inspired Valley of the Wind, has a plethora of characteristics that compliment the traditional aspects of a Metroidvania. Exploration is vital, with Ori equipped with a sprawling interconnected map that allows the player to become accustomed to the local geography as well as seek out nearby secrets. Locating Spirit Wells to regain life and energy as well as indicating fast travel points. It may seem beautifully daunting initially, but once the player explores Nibel and head out to obtain each of the three elements, the world gradually ingrains itself into the mind. It is absurdly difficult to sublimely transition between areas and still make the change look natural, however Moon Studios did that with an abundance of confidence, truly granting Nibel the life it requires.
+ Jumping between branches, diving into cold waters and moving rocks to unlock ancient doors are all traditional aspects to the Metroidvania genre. Blind Forest certainly uses the floral environment to generate challenges, both from a combat and platforming perspective, however the sole standout that differentiates this game from others within the saturated genre is the use of "Soul Links". Using Ori's energy to create, these energy-infused beams of light serve as checkpoints throughout the game. The difficulty is implemented by the low abundance of energy crystals needed to allow Ori to create these "Soul Links", therefore invoking a strategy as to where and when the player should create these checkpoints. The platforming is tough, so activating a "Soul Link" after completing a tricky area would be advisable, as the player is more than likely to accidentally jump at the wrong time and allow Ori to get impaled by a thorn...
+ Ori starts off as a fragile guardian spirit, but will soon evolve into a speedy, combative, free-running beast through the use of an ability tree system. Slaying enemies, destroying certain flora and locating those valuable spirit containers will grant Ori the opportunity to gain new skills based on three distinct categories. Every single skill is deemed useful, either for traversal or combat enhancements, inciting the player to choose wisely before venturing further into the dangers that Nibel succinctly hides away.
+ Nibel is brought to life through an ornate art direction that can only be surmised in one word: Beguiling. There's no other way to describe Blind Forest. The creative team at Moon Studios have produced one of the most gorgeous gaming experiences ever, often surpassing the vast majority of AAA titles. From the 3D animated character models populating the vibrant water-coloured backdrops to the softly epic score that is teeming with life. There is not a single line, colour or detail out of place!
+ Ori's journey to save Nibel is a short quest. Fortunately it never outstays it welcome, with a plethora of collectibles to be found and an array of difficulties added in the Definitive Edition which all increase the replay value. The "One Life" difficulty is, to be bluntly, absurd mostly due to the only complaint that could be found...
WHAT I DISLIKED:
- ...the escape sequences. Ori never really faces off against a boss, mostly due to the focus on precise platforming rather than aggressive combat. Instead, after each element is obtained, Ori must flee from a threat that seeks to end him. This could be rapidly rising waters with the player tasked in ascending a tower before Ori drowns, or a ferocious owl swooping in every five seconds. These sequences generate an artificial difficulty that pushes Ori's newfound abilities to generate tension and pressure, more so than having the player moving around normally. The problem is with the absurd "trial and error" approach and the lack of checkpoints that ultimately incites repetition in order for the player to learn the traps and obstacles before moving on. Repetition is the antithesis of fun. Whilst the tension is ramped up, the change in pace is not welcomed and provokes several unnecessary rage-inducing moments in what is otherwise a near-perfect game.
VERDICT:
8/10 ancestral trees
WHAT I LIKED:
+ Pixar's helium-fuelled 'Up' is infamous for its emotionally affecting initial ten minutes. Well, Moon Studios attempt to match that saddening experience through its prologue of Ori's upbringing with Naru. You. Will. Cry. If no tears are shed, the eyes will undoubtedly be moist as the player unexpectedly welcomes the sorrowful tone beneath the beautiful art direction that truly powers the narrative of Ori's journey. A cataclysmic event results in the forest withering into decay, with Ori tasked in reviving the Spirit Tree by recovering the forest's light. There's death. There's destruction. But much like the Circle of Life, a concept Moon Studios was heavily influenced by, there's life. And the Blind Forest wholesomely attests to this concept through a visually stunning and emotional story that is just as important as the gameplay on offer.
+ Nibel has a life of its own. The rural world of Nibel, ranging from the serene marshlands of Thornfelt Swamp to the blustery Ghibli-inspired Valley of the Wind, has a plethora of characteristics that compliment the traditional aspects of a Metroidvania. Exploration is vital, with Ori equipped with a sprawling interconnected map that allows the player to become accustomed to the local geography as well as seek out nearby secrets. Locating Spirit Wells to regain life and energy as well as indicating fast travel points. It may seem beautifully daunting initially, but once the player explores Nibel and head out to obtain each of the three elements, the world gradually ingrains itself into the mind. It is absurdly difficult to sublimely transition between areas and still make the change look natural, however Moon Studios did that with an abundance of confidence, truly granting Nibel the life it requires.
+ Jumping between branches, diving into cold waters and moving rocks to unlock ancient doors are all traditional aspects to the Metroidvania genre. Blind Forest certainly uses the floral environment to generate challenges, both from a combat and platforming perspective, however the sole standout that differentiates this game from others within the saturated genre is the use of "Soul Links". Using Ori's energy to create, these energy-infused beams of light serve as checkpoints throughout the game. The difficulty is implemented by the low abundance of energy crystals needed to allow Ori to create these "Soul Links", therefore invoking a strategy as to where and when the player should create these checkpoints. The platforming is tough, so activating a "Soul Link" after completing a tricky area would be advisable, as the player is more than likely to accidentally jump at the wrong time and allow Ori to get impaled by a thorn...
+ Ori starts off as a fragile guardian spirit, but will soon evolve into a speedy, combative, free-running beast through the use of an ability tree system. Slaying enemies, destroying certain flora and locating those valuable spirit containers will grant Ori the opportunity to gain new skills based on three distinct categories. Every single skill is deemed useful, either for traversal or combat enhancements, inciting the player to choose wisely before venturing further into the dangers that Nibel succinctly hides away.
+ Nibel is brought to life through an ornate art direction that can only be surmised in one word: Beguiling. There's no other way to describe Blind Forest. The creative team at Moon Studios have produced one of the most gorgeous gaming experiences ever, often surpassing the vast majority of AAA titles. From the 3D animated character models populating the vibrant water-coloured backdrops to the softly epic score that is teeming with life. There is not a single line, colour or detail out of place!
+ Ori's journey to save Nibel is a short quest. Fortunately it never outstays it welcome, with a plethora of collectibles to be found and an array of difficulties added in the Definitive Edition which all increase the replay value. The "One Life" difficulty is, to be bluntly, absurd mostly due to the only complaint that could be found...
WHAT I DISLIKED:
- ...the escape sequences. Ori never really faces off against a boss, mostly due to the focus on precise platforming rather than aggressive combat. Instead, after each element is obtained, Ori must flee from a threat that seeks to end him. This could be rapidly rising waters with the player tasked in ascending a tower before Ori drowns, or a ferocious owl swooping in every five seconds. These sequences generate an artificial difficulty that pushes Ori's newfound abilities to generate tension and pressure, more so than having the player moving around normally. The problem is with the absurd "trial and error" approach and the lack of checkpoints that ultimately incites repetition in order for the player to learn the traps and obstacles before moving on. Repetition is the antithesis of fun. Whilst the tension is ramped up, the change in pace is not welcomed and provokes several unnecessary rage-inducing moments in what is otherwise a near-perfect game.
VERDICT:
8/10 ancestral trees