A Platformer Full of Feels

I hope everyone is enjoying that empty wallet feeling that comes around with the major Steam sales.  I've made some purchases and will be updating as I work my way through them (so far it seems like a little bit of a mixed bag--I bought some winners and probably picked some things outside of my comfort zone that might turn out to be dust collectors...we'll see).  Maybe I can help you make some decisions?  Or maybe not...

Since I have no patience and like to spring when things are on sale I purchased Ori and the Blind Forest just prior to the sale kicking off.  Ori had been lurking on my wishlist for quite awhile but I just wasn't sure if it was going to be something that I would enjoy--platformers are alright, they aren't exactly my favorite.  Having finished it I can now safely say that it was $10 well spent.

Platformers really seem to be a dime a dozen--there are numerous iterations and all of them are challenged with trying to find something to make their game fresh.  Ori does this in a number of ways:

1.) Gorgeous artwork and environments.  The story takes place in a large forest with a number of different but beautiful biomes.  It's difficult to take it all in while you are playing but I found myself trying to notice the details in the environments.  Ori is definitely one of the most beautiful platformers I have ever played.

Awwww :)

2.) A touching story and cutscenes.  Right from the beginning of the game it's like someone is punching you in the heart.  Even though there are cute little forest creatures there is an aspect of darkness and sadness.  In many platformers the story gets pushed to the back of your focus, but I felt like Ori did a good job of blending the fast paced play style with the story of restoring the forest.  (Seriously though...if the cutscenes don't jerk some tears....I was crying after the first one)

3.) Recognizable platformer mechanics mixed in with some interesting variations.  You've got your rote double jump and wall climb, but Ori adds the bash mechanic which I found to be quite refreshing.  The bash attack allows you to use the projectile attacks of some enemies to propel yourself in a specific direction.  Time slows briefly, you aim either for the purpose of travel or attack, and then you let loose.  I was always a little amazed at the massive areas of nothing that I was able to traverse by utilizing these well-timed attacks.

One mechanic that I found to be interesting was the save mechanic.  You can save your game almost anywhere using energy cells that you find located around the map.  Or you could not die and use those cells to unlock energy gates that serve as shortcuts/access to special areas (I died so much that I wasn't able to utilize them very much).  In a way the game rewards you for not dying.

My stats prior to the final sequence (which is brutal).
I died 656 times!  Sheesh.

4.) Replayability.  There are numerous powerups scattered throughout the map--many are inaccessible until you begin unlocking specific powers to reach them.  I wanted to finish the story and was more focused on that and will admit that I didn't go back and try to find them all.  Those players who are motivated by 100% collection will have a ball trying to get to some of these crazily placed items.  Besides collecting everything there are also more difficult modes for those who want to test their meddle...including the ominous one-life mode.  I won't be attempting that any time soon...my one life would be short and sad.

There were so many times while I was playing Ori when I thought "there's no way to navigate that area!"  And then I died a lot and did a bunch of crazy moves and was able to make it through.  There can be a lot of frustration, but when you do finally manage to float through a cave full of killer icicles or bash your way to the top of a mountain you feel like you've really accomplished something.

Ori is a gorgeous platformer with a little bit of everything to appeal to a wide range of players--it can be punishing and very challenging for those who want to push themselves or it can be a beautiful and touching journey for those who are in it more for the story.