Moon Studios left gamers in awe with 2015’s Ori and the Blind Forest. Does 2020’s Ori and the Will of the Wisps compare? Yes, and in rare fashion, builds on a great series debut with enhanced experiences worth all the trouble several of the more difficult passages can present. At no points is it boring or beaten down from the repetition of platformer mechanics and tropes, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an early contender for game of the year.

What is Ori and the Will of the Wisps About?

In an expansive world, the beginning of Ori and the Will of the Wisps kicks off with a story told of events directly following 2015’s game. Ori, a white guardian spirit, separates from their companion Kuro’s final egg Ku in a storm and seeks to protect the child. What follows is a wide variety of escapes from danger and explorations into the depths of this vibrant, living forest we loved from the first game.

Without spoiling the story, narrative points peak one after the other for a great story I doubt will be beaten in 2020. The love you develop for these characters, and the closeness you feel as you play as Ori, truly rivals any emotional gameplay experience I have ever had. The game constantly highlights gameplay difficulties and moving moments with incredible features in the sound and visuals department.

The Art of Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps seemed to be a shoo-in for an incredibly artistic and musical experience given its predecessor. Gareth Corker’s work on 2015’s Ori and the Blind Forest earned the composer critical acclaim, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps‘ soundtrack are even better. Every moment the story wants you to feel something, the sensation intensifies with sweeping orchestral movements and impactful melodies.

Visually, Ori and the Will of the Wisps stuns at every turn. The vibrant colors of the forest mixed with great character designs make the game feel like a storybook come alive. Each environment looks like how it must feel for Ori to be there on their mission, as they are pushed to the limit. Platformers need to constantly surprise players to stay fresh, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps keeps the visuals coming over the course of its entire story.

Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps a GOTY Contender?

The depth of Ori and the Will of the Wisps‘ experience is incredible. Collectibles on each level keep you playing on two levels: as intended and as invited, given the areas that beg to be explored. Combat enhancements help to give you new abilities over the course of the game and help to give you your own say in play style. So, is Ori and the Will of the Wisps a Game of the Year contender?

Absolutely. The game is truly remarkable, and any Xbox One owner with Game Pass should download it immediately. If you don’t have the pass, then its 12-18 hour gameplay run time makes it well worth a full purchase. The game is tragic and emotional in every way you want from a memorable gaming experience. There’s no telling how many times I intend on playing through the game again, just like I did in the series’ first game.

An Xbox One review copy of Ori and the Will of the Wisps was provided by Microsoft for this review.

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Ori and the Will of the Wisps

$29.99 USD

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Flawless level design
• Amazing visuals
• Another memorable soundtrack
• Great improvements to an already perfect game design
• 2020 GOTY potential