Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is widely celebrated as a stunning metroidvania sequel that builds significantly on its predecessor, Ori and the Blind Forest. Players praise its beautiful hand-painted environments, fluid and responsive platforming mechanics, and emotionally resonant storytelling. The game introduces a more expansive world with refined combat, new movement abilities, and a flexible skill tree system that enhances player customization. Its orchestral soundtrack and evocative narrative deeply engage players, weaving themes of family, loss, and hope through subtle environmental storytelling and expressive characters.

However, some players note similarities with other metroidvania titles, particularly Hollow Knight, sparking comparisons in gameplay elements and enemy designs. While many find the story touching and the gameplay satisfying, a few express disappointment with the narrative’s pacing and ending, feeling the emotional payoff falls short compared to the original. Minor technical issues and control scheme critiques are mentioned but do not overshadow the overall quality. With a generous checkpoint system and accessible difficulty, the game is both challenging and inviting, making it a standout experience in the genre.

Highlights

Players consistently applaud the gorgeous graphics and animations, describing the art style as timeless and breathtaking. The gameplay mechanics receive high marks for their smoothness, responsiveness, and variety, especially the improved combat and movement abilities. The storyline, though subtle, is emotionally powerful, supported by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the narrative’s impact. The world design is rich with secrets and side quests, encouraging exploration without feeling like filler. Many consider it a masterpiece in the metroidvania genre and praise the game’s ability to evoke deep emotional connections through its characters and atmosphere.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include narrative pacing issues and an ending that some players found abrupt or unsatisfying, lacking a proper emotional resolution. A few players felt the story had too much exposition through side quests and NPC dialogue, detracting from the subtle storytelling of the first game. Control schemes, particularly for complex abilities like swimming and tunneling, were sometimes described as floaty or imprecise. Minor bugs such as occasional screen glitches and rare crashes were reported. Additionally, some players noted that the game’s difficulty could be uneven, with certain platforming sections being challenging, especially on PC without a controller.