This is one of those scenarios where the sequel is mechanically better than the first game in a lot of ways but that first game had that special something about it, you know? Will of the Wisps has far better movement tech and locales but the tradeoff is that a lot of the new additions like the sidequests and the currency system feel a little undercooked and the story feels weaker.
Ah yes, the story. Not gonna lie, the story is a bit of a mess that feels like it's trying really hard to hit those Oscar Award highs that the first game did but instead events just kinda happen without much impact beyond "this is Sad and Meaningful I Guess". The main villain in particular just felt like a less interesting version of Kuro from the first game, and the cutscene where they explain her backstory - instead of leaving a super strong impression like the scene with Kuro's nest in Blind Forest - almost came off as comical from the way they overdid it with the judgemental owl heads looming over her. At one point the game throws in an ancient prophecy complete with murals hidden in some desert ruins which...kinda makes a crucial moment at the end of the game less impactful because it feels less like a choice made by the character and more like something the character has to do to move the story along, and really, the game's writing is like that the entire game.
Also, gotta say. It really sucks that Blind Forest's big story theme was about Family and then this sequel immediately separates Ori from their family for the entire game save for the opening and ending cinematics. At least have Naru and Gumo hanging out in Wellspring Glades giving out words of encouragement instead of sticking them on a raft for the entire game, come on.
Of course, I really only have a beef with the story. The rest of the game, where you gradually give a glowing bunnydog enough jump abilities until they can launch themselves through mazes of spikes without breaking a sweat because you saw a glowing purple rock at the end, is a hell of a lot of fun. Ori's jumps are floaty, but the adjustment period from "damn I fell into some spikes" to "I just wall-jumped through a corridor of lasers" felt shorter than in Blind Forest. They try a lot of new movement mechanics in this one and they all feel great.
Just try not to think too hard about the story or question whether or not you're actually having fun constructing that one town, you'll only hurt yourself.
(Also this game has minor performance issues including annoying loading times when opening your map on the Switch but that's to be expected)
Ah yes, the story. Not gonna lie, the story is a bit of a mess that feels like it's trying really hard to hit those Oscar Award highs that the first game did but instead events just kinda happen without much impact beyond "this is Sad and Meaningful I Guess". The main villain in particular just felt like a less interesting version of Kuro from the first game, and the cutscene where they explain her backstory - instead of leaving a super strong impression like the scene with Kuro's nest in Blind Forest - almost came off as comical from the way they overdid it with the judgemental owl heads looming over her. At one point the game throws in an ancient prophecy complete with murals hidden in some desert ruins which...kinda makes a crucial moment at the end of the game less impactful because it feels less like a choice made by the character and more like something the character has to do to move the story along, and really, the game's writing is like that the entire game.
Also, gotta say. It really sucks that Blind Forest's big story theme was about Family and then this sequel immediately separates Ori from their family for the entire game save for the opening and ending cinematics. At least have Naru and Gumo hanging out in Wellspring Glades giving out words of encouragement instead of sticking them on a raft for the entire game, come on.
Of course, I really only have a beef with the story. The rest of the game, where you gradually give a glowing bunnydog enough jump abilities until they can launch themselves through mazes of spikes without breaking a sweat because you saw a glowing purple rock at the end, is a hell of a lot of fun. Ori's jumps are floaty, but the adjustment period from "damn I fell into some spikes" to "I just wall-jumped through a corridor of lasers" felt shorter than in Blind Forest. They try a lot of new movement mechanics in this one and they all feel great.
Just try not to think too hard about the story or question whether or not you're actually having fun constructing that one town, you'll only hurt yourself.
(Also this game has minor performance issues including annoying loading times when opening your map on the Switch but that's to be expected)