Ori Video Game Series
Ori is a series of adventure games set in a fairytale world, published by Microsoft studio for PC, as well as Xbox One and Nintendo Switch consoles. To date, it has had its premiere Ori and the Blind Forest and its Definitive Edition version, as well as a sequel titled Ori and the Will of the Wisp. The games in the series can be categorized as platform metroidvanias with RPG elements with an emphasis on arcade skirmishes (partly inspired by classic adventure games such as Rayman or Metroid), which won the hearts of gamers with its emotional story, fun gameplay and audiovisual design, for which the series is mainly famous, and for the creation of which the creators drew inspiration from the works of Hayao Miyazaki - the head of the Japanese Ghibli studio known for such animations as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind or Spirited Away.
Work on the first installment of the series, the Ori and the Blind Forest, lasted about four years, before it premiered in March 2015 on PC and Xbox One. Its creators include Thomas Mahler, who previously worked for Blizzard Entertainment. The game's plot is set in the fairytale forest of Nibel inhabited by all sorts of creatures, including the titular Ori, a caring soul who shortly after birth is adopted by a creature called Naru. Together they lead a joyful life full of happy moments, until one day a cataclysmic event occurs that causes all the forest's flora and fauna to begin dying, making it increasingly difficult to obtain food. As a result of further events, Ori embarks on a lonely trek, where he meets Sein, a luminous sphere; together they try to find a way to restore the forest to its normal state, which will involve gathering the three component elements - water, wind and heat.
The creation of the second part, the Ori and the Will of the Wisp was announced at E3 in 2017, but players had to wait three years for its release, as this one came out on PC and Xbox One in March 2020. It is a direct sequel, as the adventure starts from where the first installment ended. The game did not lack familiar characters and another portion of emotions.
The parts differ a little mechanically, but in both cases the core of the gameplay remains the same, setting us a variety of tasks in fairy-tale locations. Our protagonist not only has to jump over chasms, swing on ropes, climb up rock shelves, but also fight many enemies and their more powerful versions in the form of bosses. To do so, he uses various types of attacks and abilities unlocked in the skill tree or gained during the adventure.
Ori and the Blind Forest impresses with its visuals, showing two-dimensional characters, great animations and richly detailed layered backgrounds scrolled by the parallax effect. In the sequel, the developers, wanting to create something even better, opted for models made in 3D, while everything else is kept in 2D.
Both parts won the hearts of gamers and critics, winning many prestigious awards, as well as high ratings on Metacritic. In the case of Ori and the Blind Forest the average rating from players is 8.7 (from critics 90/100), on the other hand Ori and the Will of the Wisp received a score of 8.6 from players (88/100 from critics). These scores and admiration in the gaming community also influenced the titles' sales results. The production cost of the first part paid for itself just one week after its release, in turn Ori and The Will of the Wisp was purchased by some 2 million players within three months of its release.
The main characters of the series, namely Ori and Sein also made guest appearances as one of the playable characters in the humorous brawler Rivals of Aether available on PC and Xbox One.
Ori Series Evolution
2020
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
2016
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
2015
Ori and the Blind Forest
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Action
March 11, 2020
The second part of the metroidvania series, in which the players play the title ghost. In Ori and the Will of the Wisps, the protagonist leaves Nibel forest to discover his true destiny as he travels through an exotic world.
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Action
March 11, 2016
An expanded edition of the warmly received platform game developed by Moon studio in 2015. The story of Ori and the Blind Forest focuses on the titular spirit of the forest who is trying to learn something about itself and the world that surrounds it. The game lacks any dialogues and the story is told by using the gameplay and mute cutscenes. As for the mechanics, the game belongs to the subgenre called metroidvania. During the game player explores large, two-dimensional locations that contain many hidden passages, shortcuts, secrets, surprises and action challenges. As the game progresses, player unlocks new abilities of the protagonist that allow him to reach previously unavailable places. Definitive Edition offers 4 completely new locations, new abilities, music tracks and various improvements suggested by fans. Among the latter there are additional difficulty levels and a quick travel system.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Action
March 11, 2015
A two-dimensional platformer with RPG elements, produced by Moon Studios, an independent developer. It belongs to a subgenre called metroidvania. We assume the role of a young and inexperienced forest spirit who will try to learn more about himself and the world around him during his long journey. In the game we explore vast areas full of hidden passages and shortcuts while solving puzzles and facing challenges testing our agility. In order to gain access to some parts of the map we have to unlock special abilities first. The developers have decided not to use any dialogue; the plot is presented only through silent cut-scenes. The unique atmosphere of the game is enhanced by beautiful, hand-drawn backgrounds.
Ori Series News
No Rest for the Wicked Dev Is Already Thinking about Third Installment of Ori Series
Although, in theory, the story of the Ori series is completed, it remains possible that Moon Studios will create its next installments.
video games
Zuzanna Domeradzka
April 10, 2024
Moon Studios' Thomas Mahler Shares How Studio Was Saved by Success of Ori and Blind Forest
Without Ori and the Blind Forest, there would be not only the highly promising action RPG No Rest for the Wicked, but most likely Moon Studios itself.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
March 13, 2024
Take-Two Will Publish Action RPG From the Ori Series Devs
Take-Two has announced the establishment of cooperation with the Moon Studios, League of Geeks, and Roll7 teams. Under the banner of the Private Division will be published, among others, action RPG from the devs of the Ori series.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
July 29, 2020
Ori and the Will of the Wisps Goes Gold
Moon Game Studios announced that the two-dimensional platformer Ori and the Will of the Wisps has gone gold. Thus, we can be sure that the release date set for March will be met.
video games
Adrian Werner
January 29, 2020