9 /10 19

Ori and the Will of the Wisps stands as one of the finest Metroidvania experiences ever created, building upon the success of its predecessor with refined combat mechanics, a vastly expanded world, and storytelling that rivals indie classics. Moon Studios has crafted a game that balances accessibility with challenge, delivering a 10-15 hour adventure that feels complete without unnecessary padding. Players encounter environmental puzzles, boss battles, and exploration rewards throughout Niwen, a richly detailed world where every visual element serves the narrative. This review examines why Will of the Wisps earned its 90 Metacritic score and remains a benchmark for the genre.

How to Play Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Gameplay centers on precise 2D platforming combined with responsive real-time combat. Ori navigates interconnected environments filled with enemies, environmental hazards, and collectible upgrades that unlock new traversal abilities.

1. Controls – Platforming uses standard directional inputs with fluid aerial mobility; learning the dash, glide, and wall-jump mechanics creates a satisfying skill curve that rewards practice without punishing mistakes
2. Progression – Collecting Spirit Shards unlocks passive abilities and active combat skills, while Energy upgrades expand your health pool; players advance by recovering four Wisps scattered across five major regions
3. Combat/Mechanics – You equip three active combat abilities from options like sword strikes, ranged projectiles, and defensive moves; combat is fast-paced, requiring timing and positioning against varied enemy types
4. Tips – Master the triple-jump shard early for better exploration; practice parrying in combat shrines before boss fights; upgrade your ranged ability for flexibility in tight situations

Who Should Play Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This game appeals to both Metroidvania veterans and genre newcomers seeking a polished, emotional journey. Its difficulty scaling ensures accessibility without sacrificing challenge for those seeking harder combat.

• Platformer Enthusiasts – If you loved Hollow Knight, Celeste, or Ori: Blind Forest, Will of the Wisps refines the formula with tighter controls and more forgiving level design that emphasizes exploration over punishment
• Story-Driven Gamers – The narrative explores themes of sacrifice, family, and destiny through environmental storytelling and character-driven moments; the voice acting and orchestral soundtrack elevate emotional beats
• Achievement Hunters – The game contains 37 achievements worth pursuing, with challenges ranging from finding all collectibles to defeating bosses within time limits; full completion takes 18-20 hours
• Skip if – You dislike 2D platformers or expect action-packed moment-to-moment combat; bosses require pattern learning and precise execution, which some players find frustrating

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Platform Performance

Performance across platforms demonstrates excellent optimization, with the game scaling from handheld resolution on Switch to true 4K on PC and next-gen consoles. Frame pacing remains stable throughout platforming sequences and combat encounters.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps System Requirements

PC requirements remain modest for a 2020 title with high-fidelity visuals. Minimum specs allow 1080p 30fps gameplay, while recommended settings enable consistent 60fps at 1440p-4K on modern hardware.

Similar Games to Ori and the Will of the Wisps

For players seeking similar experiences, several games deliver comparable platforming precision, exploration depth, and emotional storytelling within the Metroidvania space. Each offers unique design philosophies worth exploring.

• Hollow Knight – Shares interconnected world design and combat-focused exploration; darker tone and significantly higher difficulty curve appeal to mastery-driven players
• Celeste – Focuses purely on platforming challenge with minimal combat; narrative depth equals Ori but through environmental and character design rather than dialogue
• Rayman Legends – Colorful platformer with less Metroidvania structure but similar hand-drawn art style and creative level design sensibilities
• Dead Cells – Roguelike Metroidvania with faster combat; randomized runs offer replayability absent from Ori’s linear progression

Ori and the Will of the Wisps vs Competitors

Direct comparison with leading platform-adventure titles reveals Will of the Wisps excels in art direction and accessibility while maintaining depth for experienced players. The critical consensus reflects its balanced approach.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Story and World

The narrative follows Ori’s journey to reunite with Ku after a terrible storm separates them, thrusting the owlet into a quest to restore balance to the land of Niwen. Rather than exposition-heavy storytelling, Moon Studios tells its tale through environmental design, character encounters, and poignant silent scenes. Niwen itself becomes a character—each region reflects the emotional beats of the story, from the tranquil Luma Pools to the oppressive Mouldwood Depths. The game explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the cost of facing one’s destiny, delivering moments that rival the original’s emotional impact without feeling derivative. Voice acting elevates key characters, particularly the antagonist Elizabeth Niemand, whose tragic backstory reframes your perception of the conflict.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Multiplayer and Online

Multiplayer elements remain minimal, focusing on asynchronous competition rather than cooperative play. Spirit Trials leaderboards reward speedrunning and skill demonstration against global competition without compromising the campaign’s design.

• Spirit Trials – Timed challenges within the campaign world; compete against friends and global players for leaderboard rankings using all available abilities
• Cooperative Play – No campaign co-op or competitive multiplayer modes; focus remains on single-player storytelling and personal achievement
• Cross-Platform – Leaderboards include all platforms; cross-play not applicable due to asynchronous nature
• Community Events – Seasonal challenges and community initiatives drive engagement without requiring live server maintenance

Ori and the Will of the Wisps DLC and Expansions

Moon Studios committed to post-launch support through patches and balance adjustments rather than paid expansion content. The complete package delivers a finished experience on launch, with ongoing updates ensuring stability and addressing player feedback.

• Free Updates – Performance patches and bug fixes address frame rate issues and edge case crashes; community-requested improvements implemented throughout 2020-2021
• No Major DLC – Developers prioritized completing the base experience over post-launch content; resources focused on their next project, No Rest for the Wicked
• Seasonal Events – Limited-time community challenges occasionally drive engagement without requiring continuous content creation
• Cross-Game Support – Players completing the original Ori game receive cosmetic rewards in Will of the Wisps through save data recognition

Ori and the Will of the Wisps Community and Support

Moon Studios maintains active engagement with its fanbase through multiple channels, ensuring players find resources, discover hidden secrets, and contribute to the community. The supportive atmosphere has sustained the game’s reputation years after release.

• Official Forums – Moon Studios actively monitors and responds on official channels; developers occasionally hint at speedrun routes and challenge solutions without spoiling discovery
• Reddit/Discord – Dedicated subreddits (r/OriAndTheBlindForest) and Discord communities facilitate speedrunning, challenge runs, and lore discussion; moderation prevents spoiler leakage
• Mod Support – Community-created randomizer and challenge mods extend replayability; Steam Workshop integration enables easy installation of cosmetic and gameplay modifications
• Ongoing Updates – Monthly patches addressed performance concerns; comprehensive patch notes transparency builds trust in continued support