Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition

Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition released on PC and XONE is a two-dimensional platform game with RPG elements. It is an expanded and improved version of game that was released in 2015. Both editions were developed by an independent studio called Moon, established in 2010. The developers were inspired by classic console games like Super Metroid and A Link to the Past and by the aesthetics of movies created by Ghibli. The game was in development for four years during which developers not only created hand-animated graphics, but also tested and expanded the character development system and abilities tree. Definitive Edition introduces four new locations and abilities and various improvements suggested by the fans.

Plot

The main protagonist of the game is Ori, a young and inexperienced spirit of the forest. During a long journey he will try to learn something more about himself and about the world that surrounds him. There are no dialogues in the game. Developers decided to present the story only by using the level design and mute animated cutscenes. The specific mood of the game is also created by an excellent soundtrack.

Mechanics

The game belongs to the platform games subgenre called metroidvania. It means that player is traveling through a large, two-dimensional map, which is like a labyrinth that consists of many hidden passages, shortcuts, surprises and secrets. Some locations are unavailable until the protagonist obtains a power or an ability that allows opening the locked passage or until he solves a riddle that blocks the road. Ori has advanced ability three which is unlocked by obtaining experience and watching new pieces of the story.

During the game player faces advanced platform challenges which test his agility and reflexes. Definitive Edition mitigates some of the more frustrating gameplay features of the original by adding an easy difficulty mode which allows bypassing the hardest parts of the game. A new quick travel system makes the game more enjoyable as well. The improved edition of Ori and the Blind Forest for PC and XONE also contains new features for veterans. They can use high difficulty level and the one life mode in which – as the name suggests – they have only one chance for completing the game. Obtained results can be compared with achievements of other players thanks to online rankings.

Technical aspects

Two-dimensional graphics of Ori and the Blind Forest for PC and XONE are very impressive. Levels that consist of many animated layers seem to be living their own life. Definitive Edition doesn’t introduce any drastic changes to the graphics except for adding new locations and music tracks. However, it is worth mentioning that the developers expanded the gallery of the title. One can find there never seen before concept arts and materials from the development process and all the animated cutscenes.

Last updated on 09 May 2016