Ori and the Will of the Wisps

With Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Moon Studios have realized the full potential of their debut title, and entered the upper echelons of Metroidvania history.

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"Ori and the Will of the Wisps" is a single-player platformer game with a delightful and emotionally engaging story, featuring ingenious visuals and a splendid soundtrack. Embark on an adventure in a vast, exotic world, with new combat and customization options, facing epic adversaries and challenging puzzles to unravel Ori's true destiny.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 29,983 reviews

story4,974 positive mentions

stability419 negative mentions

story
10,069 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" is widely praised for its emotional depth and beautiful presentation, continuing the journey of Ori in a visually stunning world filled with rich lore and character development. Many players found the narrative to be heartwarming and poignant, often evoking strong emotional responses, while some noted that it follows a familiar structure to its predecessor, "Ori and the Blind Forest." Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to convey a touching story through minimal dialogue, relying heavily on visuals and music to enhance the emotional experience.
- “The story was so emotional that I nearly had a panic attack when it ended.”
- “The art, music, and gameplay all work together to tell a moving story and a rewarding time spent playing.”
- “The story had me cheering one minute and tearing up the next, all set to that heart-stirring soundtrack.”
- “Everything from the soundtrack, to the story to the gameplay, is one dimensional here.”
- “The game plays like a commercial for a story rather than a story itself.”
- “The story is 'simple' I guess, mostly consisting of a handful of narrated cutscenes.”
music
6,892 mentions
68 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" is widely praised for its emotional depth and orchestral beauty, with many reviewers highlighting it as one of the game's standout features. Composed by Gareth Coker, the soundtrack complements the stunning visuals and enhances the storytelling, creating a deeply immersive experience that resonates with players. While some fans noted that certain tracks felt less memorable compared to the original game's score, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the gameplay and emotional impact of the narrative.
- “The music is one of Ori's greatest strengths too.”
- “The soundtrack is breathtaking, adding to the emotional experience!”
- “The music, composed by Gareth Coker, is hauntingly beautiful, complementing the atmosphere and emotional beats of the game perfectly.”
- “Everything from the soundtrack, to the story to the gameplay, is one dimensional here.”
- “The soundtrack is a mixed bag: pieces for big fights feel a bit too derivative of the music from the original game, while regular exploration level music is new and sounds very nice.”
- “The music feels bland and generic, it all sounds the same.”
gameplay
6,351 mentions
51 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" has received widespread acclaim for its fluid mechanics, engaging platforming, and improved combat systems compared to its predecessor. Players appreciate the introduction of new abilities and mechanics that enhance exploration and combat, while the stunning visuals and emotional storytelling further elevate the experience. However, some critiques mention that certain mechanics can feel overwhelming or frustrating, particularly in boss fights and specific gameplay sequences, but overall, the game is celebrated as a masterclass in platforming and design.
- “The gameplay struck the perfect balance—challenging, but not overwhelmingly difficult (I played on hard mode).”
- “The gameplay is smooth as butter, platforming and combat flow so perfectly.”
- “The way it introduces mechanics and teaches you to use them, then integrates them into all the puzzles is incredible.”
- “Everything from the soundtrack to the story to the gameplay is one-dimensional here.”
- “If anything, my quote is too kind to this latest entry as Ori & the Will of the Wisps is actually worse in many respects given the lack of technical updates to Will of the Wisps, obtuse poorly implemented puzzle mechanics (that will have you searching YouTube guides), and even more (potentially game-breaking) timed platforming escape sequences than the first game.”
- “The gameplay is somewhat middling and doesn't feel as innovative as the first game did.”
graphics
5,843 mentions
71 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning beauty and artistic design, often described as breathtaking and reminiscent of a moving painting. Reviewers highlight the game's vibrant color palette, intricate details, and fluid animations, which create an immersive and emotionally engaging experience. The soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling, making it a standout title in the platformer genre.
- “The saying ori's art style and visuals are great is an understatement: it's simply one of the most beautiful games I have ever played.”
- “As far as the graphics go, the lighting is what makes this game, combined with an animated movie type of look, creating a beautiful game.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the soundtrack is emotionally powerful, and the platforming is smooth and satisfying.”
- “The first thing you'll notice is the lackluster graphics, which are a far cry from what was promised in trailers.”
- “However, I feel like it's important to note: don't come into this game expecting Ori and the Blind Forest but improved, or Hollow Knight but with dynamic lighting and 2.5D graphics.”
- “The graphics, though incredibly similar to the first one, look absolutely amazing here.”
emotional
2,546 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" is widely praised, with many players reporting that the game's story made them cry multiple times. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke deep feelings through its beautiful visuals, haunting soundtrack, and heartfelt narrative, often describing it as an emotional rollercoaster that resonates long after the game ends. The sequel is noted for expanding on the emotional depth of its predecessor, delivering a touching and sometimes heartbreaking experience that captivates players from start to finish.
- “The story was so emotional that I nearly had a panic attack when it ended.”
- “This game is the only game I've ever played that made me cry more than once.”
- “A beautiful experience and an emotional roller coaster in the best possible way.”
- “Boring story, but it made me smile.”
- “Touching.”
atmosphere
564 mentions
68 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, and immersive world design that invites exploration. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions through its art style and music, creating a magical yet sometimes eerie ambiance that enhances the storytelling experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its emotional depth and player engagement.
- “The world feels alive, from the hauntingly beautiful luma pools to the eerie depths of mouldwood, each area has a distinct personality and atmosphere that invites exploration.”
- “The music, composed by Gareth Coker, is hauntingly beautiful, complementing the atmosphere and emotional beats of the game perfectly.”
- “The atmosphere created from the artistry, characters, soundtrack, and sound effects is incredible.”
- “The score seems to never be able to stfu & get out of its own way to create a mood or an atmosphere that has some synergy with the visual.”
- “I had several sound bugs which totally destroyed the atmosphere for me.”
- “Ultimately, the thing I missed most while playing was the melancholic, lonely atmosphere.”
stability
436 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many reporting a range of glitches and bugs, including audio issues, freezing, and frame rate drops. While some players experienced minimal problems that did not significantly impact gameplay, others faced frequent crashes and game-breaking bugs, particularly on certain platforms. Overall, while the game is praised for its visuals and gameplay, its stability remains a concern for many players, suggesting that further patches may be needed to address these issues.
- “To top it off, we live in an age where games are being released riddled with bugs, but this game is so smooth and seemingly bug free.”
- “Virtually bug free, during my playthroughs I have found only a handful of them and they were indeed too minor to fix.”
- “Oh, and after over 50 hours of playing I had no issues with the game, no stuttering, no audio issues, no glitches and crashes.”
- “The majority of my playtime has been waiting out glitches, the game crashing, and screens failing as well as the game over and over again.”
- “Yet this game lacks in one major thing: it crashes, freezes or stops... a lot.”
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
optimization
392 mentions
15 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
32 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and audio glitches, particularly at launch. While some users experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others faced persistent problems regardless of their hardware specifications. Overall, while patches have improved performance for some, many still find the game poorly optimized, detracting from the overall experience.
- “Amazing visuals, nice optimization and addicting story.”
- “The game runs smoothly at 60 frames per second on default settings on the high graphics configuration.”
- “Just 100% say yes for this beautiful and beautifully optimized game.”
- “Works good enough for smaller screens, but when your main display is 3440x1440, lack of optimization is evident, even on an RTX 3090 card.”
- “So poorly optimized that I couldn't go 2 seconds without going to 2 fps even when lowering resolution to lowest and graphics to lowest; it just won't run and my computer is good enough to run the game.”
- “The game is currently suffering from some technical issues like audio stuttering and framerate drops.”
grinding
210 mentions
2 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
73 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat and map navigation. While some appreciate the exploration and questing aspects that mitigate grinding, others feel that the need to farm for upgrades and collectibles detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game features a blend of rewarding exploration and frustrating grind, with varying opinions on its impact on gameplay.
- “Unfortunately, not very replayable except for unlocking achievements - there aren't any things you can do differently to get different outcomes except perhaps not farming as much and only upgrading skills that you want to use all the time.”
- “Side quests are short if you know what you're doing, and as far as I remember, all of them are fetch quests but aren't tedious at all because I'm so agile as Ori that those side missions would be done in 2 minutes or less.”
- “However, it is not tedious at all; on the other hand, it serves to make players feel how far they have come, as Ori would be able to reach places he could not before, illustrating a well-designed learning curve.”
- “I found the combat to be extremely boring and uninspiring, which made it tedious, and something I avoided during my playthrough while trying to find the point where the 'overwhelmingly positive' reviews started to make sense.”
- “The game was tremendously tedious and boring anyway.”
- “I think the escape sequence and bosses are so tedious and boring that it made me forget about the story of the game; it dragged on for so long that I just lost interest.”
replayability
145 mentions
33 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the Ori series is mixed. While "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" offers more collectibles, side quests, and challenges that enhance replay value, many players find that once the game is completed, there is limited incentive to replay it, especially for those not interested in achievements or speedrunning. In contrast, "Ori and the Blind Forest" is often noted for its linearity and lack of replay options, making it less appealing for multiple playthroughs.
- “With a plethora of collectibles, side quests, and secrets to uncover, *Ori and the Will of the Wisps* offers substantial replay value.”
- “The combat mechanics are way better, and they have added a ton of extra side quests and races to increase the replay value.”
- “Puzzles, quests, and character interactions add to the replayability of the game, and the departure from a forced linear progression makes the possibilities truly feel limitless while playing.”
- “Unfortunately not very replayable except for unlocking achievements - there aren't any things you can do differently to get different outcomes except perhaps not farming as much and only upgrading skills that you want to use all the time.”
- “The only downside is it isn't very long and I don't see much replay value.”
- “It took me around 15-18 hours to complete and there is not really much replay value unless you are a completionist or speedrunner.”
humor
89 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying the quirky characters, funny dialogues, and amusing glitches that add a lighthearted touch to the experience. Many reviews mention the comedic elements provided by side characters like the Moki, as well as the balance between emotional storytelling and humor, making for a memorable and entertaining adventure. Overall, the game is described as both funny and heartwarming, with moments that elicit laughter alongside its more serious themes.
- “The characters and the story made me laugh and cry several times.”
- “The moki in particular were adorable and funny, and provided some much-needed comic relief through dialogue.”
- “I truly recommend it as it's pretty funny with its beautiful visuals and very lengthy to explore.”
- “Not funny.”
- “If this were to persist, well, we'd have some sort of unfunny, boring universe.”
character development
79 mentions
48 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with many players noting that side quests and interactions foster strong attachments to characters. While some reviews mention limited character development for certain characters, the overall consensus highlights a significant improvement in character roles and design, contributing to a rich narrative experience. The combination of well-crafted dialogue, memorable character designs, and a compelling story enhances players' emotional investment in the game.
- “Not only the number of characters increased, every new character has a solid role and character development in the plot.”
- “The nuanced character development and the connection forged with the spirit companions, the wisps, evoke a genuine emotional investment from the player.”
- “Tons of emotion, no wasted narrative space, meaningful plot and character development in sync with the plot and gameplay.”
- “Character development is limited but cute.”
- “The weapons and merchant NPCs disturbed the immersive storytelling, while the lack of character development and distasteful ending make this supposedly sequel disappointing for me.”
- “This ending just sweeps all the character development and hype they built for this character out the door.”
monetization
11 mentions
18 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
82 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, and additional account requirements, which they see as a return to traditional gaming values. However, others criticize the game as a "cash grab," feeling that it relies on nostalgia and marketing tactics that misrepresent its content. Overall, while the game avoids common monetization pitfalls, concerns about its value and quality persist.
- “In a world of microtransactions, grinding, and flash-in-the-pan mobile gaming, your games are a continual reminder of why gaming is beautiful and why we all fell in love with it in the first place.”
- “No microtransactions, no loot boxes; just love, passion, and incredible talent.”
- “If the game is bad, it's a rip-off cash grab.”
- “But the biggest problem is definitely bugs and the cash grab feel of the game; I doubt anyone can deny.”
- “We live in an age where single-player games are rarely impressive or exceed our expectations due to their overcharged price, lack of content, technical problems, or microtransactions, etc. Sequels even more so.”