Ori and the Blind Forest is an amazing platformer and one of my favourite games despite the few flaws that are present within the game. Overall I would recommend this game if you are a fan of platformers at all as this game displays great strengths in controls, visuals and audio. This all leads into great gameplay for an enjoyable experience.

Breaking the game into it's basic elements, Ori and the Blind Forest is a action platformer with metroidvania elements. You progress through a world, navigating past obstacles, fighting monsters, acquiring new powers and exploring the map. As you fight monsters and find experience points, you level up which allows you to become stronger in combat and exploration; increasing your attack damage, seeing secrets on your map or unlocking the ability to triple jump as some examples. This leads itself to several issues such as the combat is not very rewarding. Combat boils down to mashing your attack when something is within range. Sure, you need to avoid attacks and can use abilities to reflect projectiles or do area damage to spice up combat, but in the end it always boils down to mashing an attack. This isn't to say it is easy or boring but it is definitely a shallow area of the game when compared to some of its strengths.

The core strength of the game I found was to be the control. Never have I played a game that feels as nice to control. It is one of those things that is hard to convey unless you have first hand experience with the game itself. At every moment of the game the feeling of control is completely within your hands and no situation feels unresponsive, clunky or sluggish. The ease at which one flips through the air, jumping from wall to wall, manoeuvring between obstacles and enemies alike is simply superb. The progression in which one acquires these skills is greatly appreciated. From basic running and jumping, to wall jumping, to double and triple jumping to bashing, launching, smashing and climbing. It builds the kit in which one can move around in the world and is delightful to master.

The world itself is also masterfully realised. It is not unfair to say that Ori and the Blind Forest is the most beautiful game I have ever played. Almost every instance of the game is amazingly realised in its art style and aesthetics. There are a few moments where it fell apart, for me, such as some of the cut-scenes. The way some characters moved and animated felt very flat, however they are only apparent because they are held against the rest of the game which is a delight to see. The audio throughout is also pleasantly well done. This includes the range of audio tracks to sound effects to voice acting. When something needs to be dramatic, the music delivers. When sound effects need to deliver a punch or give feedback to the player they provide. All I can really say in regards to the visual and audio is that they are fully realised and utilised within this game.

Finally one of the biggest complaints I'd have with Ori and the Blind Forest would be the story. It just didn't have as big of an impact as it could of. At its best it has moments such as the opening sequence which does a fantastic job at character development. Past that though the game and story devolve into a very basic plot. Struggles to be overcome, evils to be defeated, lessons to be learned. It is not outright bad, the story is serviceable and fulfils its need I just have the desire for something deeper.

All in all Ori and Blind Forest is a brilliant game in terms of controls, visuals and sound design with only minor set backs in story and gameplay mechanics. However these issues are minor enough to not impact the initial experience of an otherwise superb game.

Ori and the Blind Forest is an amazing platformer and one of my favourite games despite the few flaws that are present within the game. Overall I would recommend this game if you are a fan of platformers at all as this game displays great strengths in controls, visuals and audio. This all leads into great gameplay for an enjoyable experience. Breaking the game into it's basic elements, Ori and the Blind Forest is a action platformer with metroidvania elements. You progress through a world, navigating past obstacles, fighting monsters, acquiring new powers and exploring the map. As you fight monsters and find experience points, you level up which allows you to become stronger in combat and exploration; increasing your attack damage, seeing secrets on your map or unlocking the ability to triple jump as some examples. This leads itself to several issues such as the combat is not very rewarding. Combat boils down to mashing your attack when something is within range. Sure, you need to avoid attacks and can use abilities to reflect projectiles or do area damage to spice up combat, but in the end it always boils down to mashing an attack. This isn't to say it is easy or boring but it is definitely a shallow area of the game when compared to some of its strengths. The core strength of the game I found was to be the control. Never have I played a game that feels as nice to control. It is one of those things that is hard to convey unless you have first hand experience with the game itself. At every moment of the game the feeling of control is completely within your hands and no situation feels unresponsive, clunky or sluggish. The ease at which one flips through the air, jumping from wall to wall, manoeuvring between obstacles and enemies alike is simply superb. The progression in which one acquires these skills is greatly appreciated. From basic running and jumping, to wall jumping, to double and triple jumping to bashing, launching, smashing and climbing. It builds the kit in which one can move around in the world and is delightful to master. The world itself is also masterfully realised. It is not unfair to say that Ori and the Blind Forest is the most beautiful game I have ever played. Almost every instance of the game is amazingly realised in its art style and aesthetics. There are a few moments where it fell apart, for me, such as some of the cut-scenes. The way some characters moved and animated felt very flat, however they are only apparent because they are held against the rest of the game which is a delight to see. The audio throughout is also pleasantly well done. This includes the range of audio tracks to sound effects to voice acting. When something needs to be dramatic, the music delivers. When sound effects need to deliver a punch or give feedback to the player they provide. All I can really say in regards to the visual and audio is that they are fully realised and utilised within this game. Finally one of the biggest complaints I'd have with Ori and the Blind Forest would be the story. It just didn't have as big of an impact as it could of. At its best it has moments such as the opening sequence which does a fantastic job at character development. Past that though the game and story devolve into a very basic plot. Struggles to be overcome, evils to be defeated, lessons to be learned. It is not outright bad, the story is serviceable and fulfils its need I just have the desire for something deeper. All in all Ori and Blind Forest is a brilliant game in terms of controls, visuals and sound design with only minor set backs in story and gameplay mechanics. However these issues are minor enough to not impact the initial experience of an otherwise superb game.