Ori and the Blind Forest is a great exploration platformer with enough challenge to keep yourself frustrated to the point of wanting to progress further.

Ori's story isn't anything special, and the way it is delivered is rather slow. Bad things happened in the forest and it is up to you to set them straight, and the kind-hearted Ori is the one who is tasked to do so. It is a linear story, with no player decisions, however, this does fit this style of the platformer game.

Ori's music diversely covers both whimsical exploration and heightened battles which definitely make this soundtrack worth saving on Spotify.

The gameplay can be frustrating at times. Ori is a game where you can get lost very easily if you don't keep track of your current objective. Much of the game is upgrading yourself to be able to open the next door or to reach the keystones to open said doors which require new upgrades. While each area of the map is very rich in experiences adding new challenges from enemies to game mechanics, as you upgrade you are able to picture previous challenges which stopped you from progressing which creates a desire to go back and explore with new found powers.

The upgrades which Ori unlocks work in a very natural and fluid path, and at no point to me become over-cumbersome or bulky to play. There are moments where attacking enemies becomes a button mashing experience , but you can purchase upgrades with experience points to make those battles easier.

The graphics are great, they reminisce on a hand-drawn style with each area of the map different and always gives the player something to look at. Each area seems to have time and attention put into the scapes, never making it seem as if they just copy-pasted a new area into the game to give the player something to do. Despite each area full of features in the, I never found myself confused on what objects were background or foreground specific and I never asked myself "can I climb that", it was always very clear and concise.

Story - 3/5
Music - 4/5
Gameplay - 4/5
Graphics - 5/5
Overall - 8/10

Ori and the Blind Forest is a great exploration platformer with enough challenge to keep yourself frustrated to the point of wanting to progress further. Ori's story isn't anything special, and the way it is delivered is rather slow. Bad things happened in the forest and it is up to you to set them straight, and the kind-hearted Ori is the one who is tasked to do so. It is a linear story, with no player decisions, however, this does fit this style of the platformer game. Ori's music diversely covers both whimsical exploration and heightened battles which definitely make this soundtrack worth saving on Spotify. The gameplay can be frustrating at times. Ori is a game where you can get lost very easily if you don't keep track of your current objective. Much of the game is upgrading yourself to be able to open the next door or to reach the keystones to open said doors which require new upgrades. While each area of the map is very rich in experiences adding new challenges from enemies to game mechanics, as you upgrade you are able to picture previous challenges which stopped you from progressing which creates a desire to go back and explore with new found powers. The upgrades which Ori unlocks work in a very natural and fluid path, and at no point to me become over-cumbersome or bulky to play. There are moments where attacking enemies becomes a button mashing experience , but you can purchase upgrades with experience points to make those battles easier. The graphics are great, they reminisce on a hand-drawn style with each area of the map different and always gives the player something to look at. Each area seems to have time and attention put into the scapes, never making it seem as if they just copy-pasted a new area into the game to give the player something to do. Despite each area full of features in the, I never found myself confused on what objects were background or foreground specific and I never asked myself "can I climb that", it was always very clear and concise. Story - 3/5 Music - 4/5 Gameplay - 4/5 Graphics - 5/5 Overall - 8/10