Ori and the Blind forest is what you could say is my kind of game. A ridiculously tough, Metroidvania-styled platformer with a beautiful aesthetic? Yeah, that’s exactly the sort of thing I want to play. Is it worth playing though? Yes, emphatically yes. Here’s what critics say of the Microsoft platform exclusive.
Destructoid – 9.5/10
From a mechanical standpoint, Ori and the Blind Forest isn’t an evolution of the genre, and you’ve seen most of what’s on offer here before. But aesthetically it’s in a league of its own, and everything it does, it does well. If you’re looking for a metroidvania, I’d consider this a new classic
GameInformer – 9.5/10
Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the best games of the year, and should be a no-brainer for anyone looking for an exciting new adventure to dive into. That said, it comes with a warning: Expect to be humbled by its difficulty. Death comes quickly. Over and over, you’re going to watch an adorable little creature perish because you had a moment of indecision or your skills failed you. Again, nothing about this experience feels unfair. Some of the long scripted sequences are enormously challenging – to the point that you’ll likely repeat every swear word that you know.
GamesBeat – 95/100
I loved every second of Ori and the Blind Forest. It’s as fun as it is pretty, which is an incredible achievement when its one of the most gorgeous games I’ve ever seen. If you’ve ever enjoyed a 2D sidescroller, you’ll definitely appreciate what developer Moon Studios has done here. If you’re a fan of Metroidvania-style games, you’ll find an experience that easily joins the ranks of Super Metroid and Symphony of the Night.
Shack News – 9/10
Ori and the Blind Forest is excellently crafted, both artistically and mechanically. It’s the single-most beautiful game I’ve seen in 2015, with fluid, hand-painted beauty that comes off as a painting come to life. With deep mechanics like the Soul Link system and Ori’s myriad of unlockable abilities, as well as cleverly-crafted puzzles that put the user’s mind to work, Ori is also a challenging piece of work and one that’s worth racking your brain over.
Polygon – 9/10
Ori and the Blind Forest is a rare realization of fantastic design and production values in a space where I wasn’t expecting to find it, displaying a spectacular level of confidence in what it is and what it does. And here’s where we come back to wishing I hadn’t reviewed it as quickly as I had to. It’s a game that provides so much to explore and appreciate, and I would have liked to have taken just a little more time than I was able.
GameSpot – 9/10
It’s important, however, not to mistake Ori and the Blind Forest for being simply beautiful. It certainly is–but it is also unceasingly clever. It consistently surprises you with new tricks: gravitational divergences, new ways to move through its spaces, and carefully designed levels that require you to think quickly and respond. It is not as snappy as, say, a typical Mario platformer, seeking instead a broader gameplay arc stretching across a single, interconnected world. It’s a superb and thematically consistent approach that allows Ori and the Blind Forest to build joy on a bed of heartache, adding a new layer of mechanical complexity with each ray of hope.
IGN – 8.5/10
Bigger and tougher than it looks, Ori and the Blind Forest is a beautifully realized, brilliantly designed, and at times brutally difficult sylvan Metroidvania-style platformer with enough charm to leave a lasting impression. It’s often frustrating and sometimes confusing, but its spectacular platforming, memorable world, and engrossing story wash those concerns away.
It’s out tomorrow on PC and Xbox One. Get it.
Last Updated: March 10, 2015
Pariah
March 10, 2015 at 11:07
Yes, I am buying this. As it comes out. Fuck specials.
Pariah
March 10, 2015 at 11:09
Also, after I’m done with ME3 (yet another playthrough, I got Mordin killed at the end of ME2, WTF?!?!) Then I’m on my platformer mission. I have Valdis Story: Abyssal City, Trine 2, Dust: An Elysian Tale, and then this to play. Lots of awesome gaming ahead.
I’m loving the resurgence of platformers too. Looking forward to more great titles. 😀
ReaperOfSquirrels
March 10, 2015 at 11:13
Dust: An Elysian Tale is an awesome game.
Pariah
March 10, 2015 at 11:15
I’m really looking forward to all these games. I’ve only heard great things about Dust and Trine, and I love Valdis Story. 😀
Pieter Kruger
March 10, 2015 at 11:10
Looks A LOT like Max & the Curse of the Brotherhood which isn’t a bad thing I suppose…..
Pariah
March 10, 2015 at 11:10
I’m sure you’re just glad to have something decent to play on your Xbox?
Pieter Kruger
March 10, 2015 at 11:15
It’s Indie, so I’ll probably pick it up on a special later down the line or wait for it to come to Games With Gold…..but yeah, seems like yet another MS game that’s getting good reviews! ????
Pariah
March 10, 2015 at 11:17
Indie > AAA for the last 3 years. It’s not even close. Indie worth full price. AAA worth -80% specials.
Brady miaau
March 10, 2015 at 11:28
Not so sure…… Some Indie games are good, but I have spent WAAAAAAAAAY more time on AAA games over the last few years.
Again, I think it is me that hates platformers of any kind, so stuff like Trials is just boring to me.
Bioware games, Oblivion, Skyirm, all sucked wads of time
Pariah
March 10, 2015 at 11:34
But there are games like Reus, Van Helsing, Ori, Valdis Story, Dust, Binding of Isaac, Terraria, Endless Space/Legend, FTL, Bastion & Transistor, and Mark of the Ninja.
Those are just the ones I own (plus one I’ll buy tomorrow) that are amazing and have taken more time (so far) than my AAA games have in the last 5 years.
Brady miaau
March 10, 2015 at 11:41
Well, of that list I have Endless Space. Is a bit of fun, yes. But I think my gaming preference leads me away from such games.
Ross Woofels Mason
March 10, 2015 at 11:17
Picking it up tomorrow as well. My kind of game.
Hammersteyn
March 10, 2015 at 11:29
The sequel will be called Ori and the blind fabois. It’s a tale about how fanbois made fun of indie games and how Oris teaches them that indie games can compete and even surpass AAA games.
*Goes back to Helldivers.
Wraith
March 10, 2015 at 11:36
Just remember to keep that controller charged! 🙂
Hammersteyn
March 10, 2015 at 11:39
It’s realistic, the controller dies and your save game dies 😛
Brady miaau
March 10, 2015 at 11:43
Do you get apple watch if you complete the game? Virtually……
hairyknees
March 10, 2015 at 11:44
TAKE. MY. MONEY!
Hammersteyn
March 10, 2015 at 11:48
You dont have any money
Admiral Chief
March 10, 2015 at 11:56
He has Dota2 items worth a lot of money
#JustSaying
hairyknees
March 10, 2015 at 12:25
Haha I did finance Hotline Miami 2 with sold Dota 2 items xD
hairyknees
March 10, 2015 at 12:24
I WILL FIND MONEY!
DragonSpirit009
March 10, 2015 at 13:37
I’ve been stalking this game for a while now… Sadly I’ll never get to play it T.T
eliteop
March 10, 2015 at 14:17
The one and ONLY time I’ll give into the hype, is with this title… Can’t wait!
Gustav Minnie
March 10, 2015 at 18:06
Still no price on Steam.
avi
March 11, 2015 at 01:05
Getting this game day 1.
Vile-Okami
March 13, 2015 at 06:00
I’m absolutely hating this game with it’s trial and error difficulty. Not fun at all.