Ori: Easy or Normal Difficulty – Which is Right for You?

Let’s cut right to the chase: For your first playthrough of either Ori and the Blind Forest or Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Normal difficulty is generally the recommended experience. However, if you’re new to platformers, have limited gaming time, or primarily want to experience the beautiful world and story without excessive frustration, Easy mode is a perfectly valid and enjoyable option, especially for Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The difficulty setting only alters how much damage you dish out and how much you take.

Ori games are known for their captivating visuals, emotive story, and challenging platforming. Deciding which difficulty to play on can significantly impact your overall experience. Understanding the nuances of each difficulty level and what they offer is crucial to making the right choice for your playstyle and preferences.

Understanding the Difficulty Levels in Ori

Both Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps offer multiple difficulty settings. While the specific names may vary slightly depending on the version, the core concept remains the same:

• Easy: Provides a more forgiving experience. You take less damage, making combat and platforming less punishing. In Ori and the Blind Forest, Easy mode also includes checkpoints during escape sequences.
• Normal: Offers the intended balance between challenge and accessibility. Combat is more demanding, requiring more precise timing and skillful execution.
• Hard: Designed for experienced players seeking a significant challenge. Enemies deal more damage, and survival requires mastery of the game’s mechanics.

The Impact of Difficulty on Gameplay

The primary difference between difficulty levels in Ori lies in the amount of damage you inflict and receive. This directly impacts several aspects of gameplay:

• Combat: Higher difficulties demand more strategic combat. You’ll need to utilize your abilities effectively, exploit enemy weaknesses, and avoid taking damage.
• Platforming: While the core platforming challenges remain the same, the increased threat of damage on higher difficulties adds pressure and requires greater precision.
• Survival: Resource management becomes more critical on higher difficulties. You’ll need to carefully manage your health and energy to survive challenging encounters and navigate hazardous environments.

Considering Your Gaming Experience

Ultimately, the best difficulty for you depends on your experience with platformers and your preferred playstyle.

• New to Platformers: If you’re new to the genre, Easy mode is a great way to learn the ropes and experience the story without being overwhelmed.
• Experienced Platformer Players: If you’re comfortable with challenging platforming, Normal or Hard mode will provide a more engaging and rewarding experience.
• Story Focused Players: For those primarily interested in the narrative, Easy mode allows you to progress through the game without getting bogged down in difficult combat encounters.

Why Normal is Often Recommended

Normal difficulty provides a balanced experience that allows you to appreciate both the beauty of the world and the challenge of the gameplay. It forces you to learn the game’s mechanics without being overly punishing, making it a good starting point for most players.

It’s worth noting that the game is designed around the Normal difficulty, and it is a good measure of what the developers intended the player to experience.

The Case for Easy Mode

Don’t let anyone tell you that playing on Easy mode is “cheating.” It’s a perfectly valid way to enjoy the game, especially if you:

• Are short on time: Easy mode allows you to progress through the game faster, allowing you to experience the entire story without getting stuck on challenging sections.
• Want to relax and enjoy the scenery: Ori’s world is stunning. Easy mode allows you to focus on exploring the environment and appreciating the artistry without constant frustration.
• Find Normal mode too difficult: There’s no shame in admitting that a game is too hard. Easy mode ensures that everyone can enjoy the Ori experience, regardless of their skill level.

The One Life Challenge

For the truly masochistic and skilled players, there’s the One Life difficulty. As the name suggests, you have only one life to complete the entire game. Death means starting over from the beginning.

This mode is not recommended for first-time players. It’s a challenge designed for those who have already mastered the game and want to test their skills to the absolute limit.

The developers of Ori and the Blind Forest created a masterpiece, and the Games Learning Society should celebrate its innovative mechanics. At GamesLearningSociety.org, you can learn more about the intersection of video games and education.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Difficulty

The difficulty setting only alters how much damage you dish out and how much you take.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the difficulty options in Ori:

1. What is the difference between Easy and Normal in Ori and the Blind Forest?

In Ori and the Blind Forest, the difference between Easy and Normal primarily lies in the amount of damage you take. On Easy, you take significantly less damage, making combat and platforming more forgiving. Additionally, Easy mode provides checkpoints during the escape sequences, preventing you from having to repeat large sections after a death.

2. Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps hard or normal?

Ori and the Will of the Wisps can be challenging, even on Normal difficulty. The final boss, in particular, can be quite difficult for a first playthrough. However, Normal provides a balanced experience, and most players should be able to complete the game with persistence.

3. What is the difficulty in Ori One Life mode?

One Life difficulty is the most challenging mode in Ori. You have only one life to complete the entire game. If you die at any point, you must start over from the beginning.

4. Is Ori and the Blind Forest beginner-friendly?

While Ori and the Blind Forest is visually stunning and emotionally engaging, it can be challenging for beginners. The platforming requires precision, and the combat can be demanding. Easy mode is recommended for new players.

5. Should I skip Ori 1?

No! Even if the plots are similar, and the characters aren’t integral from one game to the next, you absolutely should NOT skip Ori and the Blind Forest. It provides important context and backstory, and it’s a fantastic game in its own right.

6. Is Ori an easy game?

No, Ori is not an easy game, especially on Normal or Hard difficulty. The platforming can be challenging, and the combat requires skill and strategy. Even on Easy mode, some sections can be difficult.

7. Is Ori as good as Hollow Knight?

Both Ori and Hollow Knight are excellent games, but they cater to different preferences. Hollow Knight offers a more open-ended world and a greater focus on exploration, while Ori emphasizes linear progression and a more emotional narrative. It comes down to personal taste.

8. What abilities should I get first in Ori?

Prioritize abilities that enhance your traversal options, such as: Triple Jump, Spirit Star, and Sentry.

9. Should I play Ori Blind Forest before Will of the Wisp?

Yes, it is highly recommended to play Ori and the Blind Forest before Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The second game contains spoilers for the first, and you’ll miss out on important context and character development.

10. How many hours does it take to finish Ori and the Blind Forest?

On average, it takes about 8 hours to complete the main story of Ori and the Blind Forest. Completionists can expect to spend around 11.5 hours to achieve 100% completion.

11. Should I play Ori and the Blind Forest or the definitive edition?

Always choose the Definitive Edition. It includes additional content, gameplay improvements, and graphical enhancements, making it the superior version of the game.

12. Is Ori and the Blind Forest better on Xbox One or Switch?

The Switch version of Ori and the Blind Forest offers a smoother experience, running at 60 frames per second, compared to the 30fps on the Xbox One.

13. Does Ori have multiple endings?

No, Ori does not have multiple endings. The story unfolds linearly, and the ending remains consistent regardless of your choices during gameplay.

14. How do I get better at Ori?

Focus on mastering the game’s mechanics. Practice your platforming skills, learn enemy attack patterns, and experiment with different ability combinations. Also, be sure to collect all of the available upgrades to enhance your character’s abilities.

15. Can you play Ori Will of the Wisps without playing the first?

While you can play Ori and the Will of the Wisps without playing the first game, it’s not recommended. You’ll miss out on important story elements and character development.

The Final Verdict

Choosing the right difficulty in Ori is a matter of personal preference. However, Normal difficulty provides a balanced and engaging experience that’s suitable for most players. If you’re new to platformers or primarily interested in the story, Easy mode is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Ultimately, the goal is to enjoy the beautiful world and captivating story of Ori. The Games Learning Society understands how these beautiful worlds are built, and are dedicated to researching and learning more. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information!