Ori and the Blind Forest is a visually stunning adventure game that focuses on exploration, platforming and puzzle solving. Released in 2015 by developer Moon Studios, “Ori” introduced new ideas and concepts to the genres of Adventure and Platforming. Delivering simple yet compelling character designs along with a brilliant and immersive world, Ori soon became a personal favorite of mine the moment I set eyes upon it. The side-scrolling aspect of this game was the perfect canvas, allowing for intricate levels of detail to make every object and character shine.
With the visual appeal of this game already pulling me in, I was entranced by the fluid smoothness of the animations. Tall grass swayed and rustled as I made my way through sunny meadows. Ancient trees creaked and moaned as a powerful gust of wind swept through the forest. The atmosphere and ambiance was mesmerizing as I navigated through lush fields and eerie forests. Formidable predatory creatures and treacherous terrain filled the gaps between the serene and sublime vistas; rewarding your endeavors with new vibrant and mysterious locations for you to explore.
Being a seasoned veteran of the video game world, I was surprised when I found myself remarking on how interesting and engaging the puzzles and obstacles were. This game encouraged me to think differently; having to abandoning my pre-conceived notions of what was expected from a side-scrolling platformer.
In my personal opinion, Ori and the Blind Forest proves that any genre can be made interesting and fresh again when talented developers strive to push the boundaries of game design. It’s apparent that tremendous amounts of love and passion went into this title, and I look forward to seeing what developers like them will come up with next.
Bedsforth 