About

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a platformer developed by Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released in March 2020 for Xbox One and PC, this sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest expands on its predecessor in every way. Players control Ori, a guardian spirit, through a beautifully hand-painted world filled with challenging platforming, combat encounters, and environmental puzzles. The game features a refined combat system with customizable abilities and shards that modify gameplay. Its emotionally powerful story, breathtaking art direction, and an orchestral soundtrack by Gareth Coker combine to create one of the most visually stunning games ever made. With a Metacritic score of 90, it won multiple awards and is considered one of the finest Metroidvania games of its generation.

Metroidvania Games

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a breathtaking Metroidvania with fluid platforming, interconnected world design, and combat customization through abilities and shards.

Game Details

Platforms PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre Metroidvania, Platformer
Developer Moon Studios
Released 2020
Critic Score 90/100
Multiplayer No
Cross-Platform No
Game Engine Unity
Microtransactions No
4.7
1 reviews
Art Direction
5
Sound Design
5
Technical Performance
4.2
Narrative Depth
4
Gameplay Innovation
3.8
Claude Opus 4.6
AI Review
4.7/5

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the most visually breathtaking games ever created. Every frame looks like a watercolor painting in motion, with lighting and particle effects that create genuinely awe-inspiring moments. Moon Studios expanded substantially on the first game's foundation, adding a meaningful combat system with customizable abilities and shards that replace the somewhat limited attack options of Blind Forest. The platforming is exquisite -- fluid, responsive, and demanding in its later stages without ever feeling unfair. Gareth Coker's orchestral score is a masterwork that elevates the emotional storytelling to extraordinary heights. Boss encounters are spectacular and well-designed. The Metroidvania exploration strikes an excellent balance between guided progression and rewarding off-path discovery. The narrative is simple but emotionally potent, and the ending is genuinely moving. Minor technical issues at launch on Xbox have been resolved. If there is a criticism, it is that the game does not radically reinvent its predecessor's formula. But when the execution is this sublime, iteration is more than enough.

Art Direction
5
Sound Design
5
Technical Performance
4.2
Narrative Depth
4
Gameplay Innovation
3.8
Feb 22, 2026