Ori and the Will of the Wisps Video Preview
Moon Studios had quite a mighty challenge on their heads in creating a game that could adequately rival its predecessor, but Ori and the Will of the Wisps was well worth the five year wait. It’s a Metroidvania platformer that is beautiful in its aesthetic, gameplay, and narrative, and it is an extremely powerful and emotional journey. Whether you are coming to this as a seasoned gamer who wants a challenge or someone who just loves the game’s beauty, it is simply a joy to play and will captivate you for hours. To watch some of our gameplay of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, hit play on the video below.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps begins with the introduction of a new character; Ku. The little owlette and adopted sister of Ori is sheepish and timid, but her forest family shows her love and support as she grows over the seasons and learns to fly. Soaring high into the clouds, Ku is exhilarated to bring Ori through the sky, only for tragedy to strike. Waking across the sea in a new land, Ori must set out to find Ku and bring her home. The game is equally powerful in its presentation and its gameplay. Despite being a side-scrolling Metroidvania, every frame comes across like a cinematic experience. In the video below, our Press X To Podcast crew discusses first impressions of the game from a first-time Ori player.
When it comes to gameplay, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is in full Metroidvania mode to the best possible degree. It takes little time before you get his basic traversal skills down and soon will be spending more time in the air than on foot. Controlling Ori comes very naturally, and the game is structured to streamline your exploration while still offering the Metroidvania experience. Players can also rejoice that the Soul Links system is gone and has simply been replaced with frequent and effective auto-saves around the world, so take risks and enjoy exploring the forest without apprehension. As the game doesn’t feature a limited number of lives or excessive backtracking, Ori and the Will of the Wisps lends itself perfectly as a game to hone and master the skills for games of the genre. Challenges and battles don’t feel so frustrating because there is nothing lost and everything to gain by persevering to become a better player. Ori wants you to succeed, and it does its best to help make that happen.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an emotional journey, from watching Ku take her first steps to seeing her finally take flight. It is indeed a challenging game, but one not so hard as to be rage-inducing. The world feels so incredibly alive with each blade of grass swaying in the breeze, each leaf dancing as it falls, and every part of the screen simply bursting with life. The beautiful color palettes and tones bring this veritable paradise to life with rich hues that turn the game into a living painting.
What do you think of Ori and the Will of the Wisps? Do you love it as much as the first game? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and be sure to keep up with us on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more video game reviews and content.
