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Should You Buy Ori and the Will of the Wisps? A Comprehensive Review

The answer is a resounding yes. If you’re even remotely a fan of Metroidvanias, breathtaking visuals, emotionally resonant stories, or simply games that are polished to near perfection, then Ori and the Will of the Wisps deserves a place in your library. It takes everything that made Ori and the Blind Forest a modern classic and elevates it to a whole new level. But let’s delve into why, exactly, this is a must-buy title.

A Masterpiece of Art and Gameplay

Visual Splendor

One of the first things that will strike you about Ori and the Will of the Wisps is its sheer beauty. The visuals are simply stunning. Every frame is a meticulously crafted work of art, from the lush, vibrant forests to the dark, decaying swamps. The art style is reminiscent of a living painting, and the dynamic lighting and particle effects add another layer of depth and immersion. You’ll often find yourself stopping just to admire the scenery. This game is a showcase for what artistic vision can accomplish in game design.

Fluid and Engaging Gameplay

Beyond its visual appeal, Ori and the Will of the Wisps offers a gameplay experience that is both challenging and rewarding. The platforming is tight and responsive, demanding precision and skill. Ori’s movements feel incredibly fluid, and the new abilities introduced in this sequel add even more depth to the traversal. You’ll be dashing, grappling, and bouncing your way through intricate environments, constantly discovering new paths and secrets. The combat system has also been significantly improved, offering a greater variety of options for taking down enemies. The game successfully blends platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving into a seamless and engaging experience.

An Emotional Narrative

At its heart, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a story about family, sacrifice, and hope. The narrative is deeply emotional, and you’ll quickly become invested in Ori’s journey. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles feel real and relatable. The game doesn’t shy away from difficult themes, exploring loss, grief, and the importance of connection. The soundtrack, composed by Gareth Coker, perfectly complements the visuals and narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of the story. Be prepared to shed a few tears.

Improved Upon Its Predecessor

While Ori and the Blind Forest was a fantastic game in its own right, Ori and the Will of the Wisps makes some significant improvements. The map system is more comprehensive, making it easier to navigate the sprawling world. The combat is more refined, offering a greater variety of abilities and strategies. The story is more complex and emotionally resonant. The autosaving system replaces the manual “soul links” of the first game, resulting in a much smoother and less frustrating experience. This sequel builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, delivering a more polished and satisfying experience overall.

Why You Should Play This Game

Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons why you should play Ori and the Will of the Wisps:

Stunning Visuals: The game is a visual masterpiece, with breathtaking art direction and meticulous attention to detail.
Engaging Gameplay: The platforming is tight and responsive, and the combat is refined and satisfying.
Emotional Story: The narrative is deeply moving, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and hope.
Improved Mechanics: The game makes significant improvements over its predecessor, with a more comprehensive map system, refined combat, and an autosaving system.
Challenging but Fair: The game offers a challenging but fair experience, demanding skill and precision but never feeling unfair.
Metroidvania Mastery: It exemplifies what makes the Metroidvania genre so compelling: exploration, ability-gated progression, and a beautifully interconnected world.

Potential Drawbacks

While Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a fantastic game, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:

Difficulty: The game can be quite challenging, especially for players who are not familiar with the Metroidvania genre. Some of the platforming sections require precise timing and execution, and the combat can be unforgiving.
Emotional Impact: The game’s story is deeply emotional, and some players may find it too sad or overwhelming.
Initial Performance Issues (Now Largely Resolved): The game had some performance issues at launch, particularly on the Nintendo Switch. However, these issues have largely been resolved through patches.

Conclusion

Despite these minor drawbacks, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an exceptional game that deserves to be played. Its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and emotional story make it a truly unforgettable experience. If you’re a fan of Metroidvanias or simply looking for a beautiful and moving game to play, then Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an excellent choice. Don’t hesitate to add this gem to your collection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps worth playing if I haven’t played Ori and the Blind Forest?

While you can play Ori and the Will of the Wisps without playing the first game, Ori and the Blind Forest, it’s highly recommended that you experience the original first. The sequel builds upon the story and characters introduced in the first game, and you’ll appreciate the narrative and emotional impact much more if you have that context. You’ll also miss certain nuances and references.

2. Should I buy Ori or Hollow Knight?

This depends on your preferences. If you want a more combat-focused Metroidvania with a challenging difficulty and a sprawling, mysterious world, go for Hollow Knight. If you prefer a more platforming-focused experience with top-notch visuals and a touching story, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the better choice. Both are excellent games.

3. Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps difficult?

Yes, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is definitely challenging. The platforming requires precision and timing, and the combat can be unforgiving. However, the difficulty is generally fair, and the game provides plenty of opportunities to improve your skills and acquire new abilities.

4. How long does it take to beat Ori and the Will of the Wisps?

On average, it takes around 12 hours to beat Ori and the Will of the Wisps if you focus on the main objectives. Completionists can expect to spend around 18 hours to achieve 100% completion.

5. Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps a sad game?

Yes, Ori and the Will of the Wisps has a bittersweet ending that is likely to evoke strong emotions. The story explores themes of loss, sacrifice, and the importance of family, which can be quite moving and even tear-jerking for some players.

6. What’s the difference between Ori and the Will of the Wisps and the Blind Forest?

Ori and the Will of the Wisps builds upon the foundation of Ori and the Blind Forest, offering improved combat, a more comprehensive map system, a refined story, and an autosaving system (replacing manual “soul links”). The world is also larger and more diverse.

7. What difficulty should I play Ori and the Will of the Wisps on?

For a balanced experience, start with Normal difficulty. You can always adjust the difficulty later if you find it too easy or too hard.

8. Is Ori a girl?

Ori’s gender is intentionally left ambiguous. The developers at Moon Studios have stated that it’s up to each player’s interpretation.

9. Can you keep playing after beating Ori and the Will of the Wisps?

Yes, unlike the original version of Ori and the Blind Forest, you can continue playing after beating Ori and the Will of the Wisps to explore the world and complete any remaining objectives.

10. What’s the best platform to play Ori and the Will of the Wisps on?

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is available on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The PC version generally offers the best performance and visuals, while the Nintendo Switch version allows for handheld play. Ultimately, the best platform depends on your personal preferences.

11. What are some essential tips for playing Ori and the Will of the Wisps?

Focus on upgrading Spirit Smash early on, as it’s a versatile and powerful ability. Also, utilize Spirit Shards to customize Ori’s abilities and playstyle. Experiment with different shards to find what works best for you. Explore thoroughly to uncover secrets and upgrades.

12. How hard is Ori and the Blind Forest compared to Hollow Knight?

While both games offer challenging platforming, Hollow Knight is generally considered more difficult overall, particularly in terms of combat. Ori and the Blind Forest focuses more on precise platforming and puzzle-solving.

13. Is Ori like Rayman?

While Ori’s gameplay incorporates elements inspired by Rayman and Metroid, it’s a distinct experience. The game is more focused on exploration, narrative, and emotional impact than the Rayman series.

14. What age is Ori and the Will of the Wisps appropriate for?

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is generally appropriate for ages 10 and up. Some younger children may find the game’s tense moments and some of the monsters unsettling.

15. How does Ori and the Will of the Wisps contribute to learning through games?

Games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps can foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and perseverance. The intricate level design and challenging platforming require players to think strategically and adapt to new situations. Moreover, the game’s emotional narrative can promote empathy and social-emotional learning. The Games Learning Society (linked here: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/), explores these aspects further, showcasing how video games can be valuable tools for education and personal development. This also supports research within GamesLearningSociety.org.

Should you buy Ori and the Will of the Wisps?