Ori And The Will Of The Wisps: Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Breathtaking Visuals and Art Style One of the standout aspects of Ori and the Will of the Wisps is its incredible visual design. The hand-painted backgrounds, detailed animations, and fluid movements create an ethereal world that feels alive. Each area of the game has its own distinct visual identity, with environments ranging from lush forests to eerie, decaying ruins. The color palette and lighting effects work in harmony to produce an emotional experience, making every moment feel magical.
2. Emotional Storytelling Ori and the Will of the Wisps delivers a touching narrative about friendship, sacrifice, and personal growth. The game is filled with poignant moments that tug at the heartstrings, largely conveyed through the game’s visuals, music, and atmosphere. While the game’s story is relatively simple, it’s emotionally powerful and provides a compelling drive for players to continue their journey with Ori and his companions.
3. Smooth and Responsive Gameplay The game’s platforming mechanics are precise and responsive, allowing players to perform complex maneuvers with ease. The controls feel tight, which is essential for a game that relies heavily on timing and precision. Ori and the Will of the Wisps introduces a variety of new abilities for Ori, such as burrowing through sand or grappling to distant points, adding depth to the platforming and allowing for more creative exploration.
4. Evolving Combat System One of the key improvements from the original game is the expanded combat system. Ori can now equip various weapons and abilities to suit different playstyles. The introduction of melee and ranged combat options, such as the Spirit Edge sword and the Spirit Arc bow, makes combat more engaging and strategic. Players can customize their abilities and attacks to fit their preferences, adding variety to the combat encounters.
5. Masterful Soundtrack The game’s score, composed by Gareth Coker, is another highlight. The orchestral music perfectly complements the emotional tone and gameplay, dynamically adjusting to different situations. Whether you’re exploring serene environments or engaging in tense boss fights, the music enhances the atmosphere and immerses you in the world of Ori.

Cons

1. Technical Issues at Launch Ori and the Will of the Wisps suffered from some technical problems at launch, particularly on Xbox consoles. These issues included frame rate drops, stuttering, and occasional crashes, which detracted from the otherwise smooth experience. While patches have addressed many of these problems, it left a poor first impression for some players, especially those expecting the same level of polish as the original game.
2. Difficulty Spikes While the game offers a satisfying challenge, there are moments where the difficulty can spike unexpectedly, particularly during certain platforming sections or boss fights. Some players may find these moments frustrating, as they require near-perfect timing and precision to overcome. Although this is a characteristic of the genre, it can be off-putting for those who prefer a more balanced progression.
3. Complex Upgrade System The game introduces a more complex ability and upgrade system compared to Ori and the Blind Forest. While this allows for deeper customization, it can also feel overwhelming for players who prefer simpler systems. Managing the various Spirit Shards (passive bonuses that affect combat and exploration) and abilities can become cumbersome, especially for those who want a more streamlined experience.
4. Limited Replayability Once you’ve completed the main story, there’s limited replay value aside from collecting missed items or completing the game on a harder difficulty. While the world is beautiful and the gameplay is engaging, there’s not much incentive to return after the credits roll, unless you’re a completionist or want to test yourself with higher difficulty settings.
5. Occasionally Unclear Objectives The game’s expansive world can sometimes leave players feeling lost, especially when objectives are not clearly defined or when navigating through certain areas. While the game encourages exploration, it can be frustrating when you’re unsure of the next step, leading to backtracking or wandering aimlessly.

Conclusion

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an extraordinary game that excels in visual storytelling, gameplay, and emotional impact. Its stunning art style, coupled with a heartfelt narrative and an immersive soundtrack, makes it a standout in the action-platforming genre. However, the game is not without its flaws, particularly regarding technical issues at launch, occasional difficulty spikes, and a somewhat complex upgrade system.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a must-play for fans of platformers and adventure games. Its combination of breathtaking visuals, refined mechanics, and emotional depth creates an unforgettable experience, cementing its place as one of the best platformers of its generation.