Ori and the Blind
Forest Review

Ori and the Blind Forest (2015) is a running and jumping game that places you in control of a diminutive guardian spirit. You traverse and solve platforming challenges to progress through the world while fighting off monsters. It's familiar territory but stands out for the way it blends its heartfelt story and beautiful world with the fast-paced platforming action.

You play Ori, a small elfin spirit who must restore the forest before it withers. You must travel to the farthest reaches of the wood, battling monsters and making friends as you go, in hopes of recovering the light of the three elements and keeping balance across the world.

Play involves moving through the forest by running, jumping, and dashing to avoid deadly pitfalls and obstacles. As you do new powers are unlocked that allow you to access areas originally impossible to get to. You fight enemies with your abilities and can even throw their own attacks back at them; from time to time you must take on large enemies, some filling most of the screen.

The result is a game that rewards exploration and experimentation when the way seems shut and offers surprising depth to its fast-paced and frantic combat. The marriage of calm and peaceful exploration with the heat of combat makes for an unusual yet engaging experience.

Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Ori and the Blind Forest 4 months ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 4 months ago.