Ori and the Will of the Wisps Nintendo Switch Review

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Ori and the Blind Forest. An adventure Metroidvania with strong platforming elements, a gorgeous art style, and a compelling story. Will of the Wisps looks to continue Ori’s story and takes us to a completely new location outside of Nibel that is sure to test our hero. Moon Studios have created something special with their latest outing.

Things kick off right after the events of the previous game. Ori and co are raising an owlet by the name of Ku. After a brief glimpse of their lives together, Ku begins to long for the sky and starts learning to fly. Born with a damaged wing, Ku struggles to maintain flight, but after a great deal of persistence, Ku finally succeeds. Ori and Ku continue to practice flying but suddenly end up crashing in a new forest and become separated. Ori then sets off to look for Ku so that they can make their way back home.

The game’s story is quite simple but its execution is brilliant, delivering a captivating experience with a host of emotionally impactful and unforgettable moments. It tends to pull at your heartstrings when you least expect it.

The gameplay in Ori and the Will of the Wisps is pretty easy to get into but manages to be quite a challenge as well. You’ll constantly be tested as you face off against multiple enemies and try to come away alive. It’s great then, that the controls are quite well-designed since it makes dealing with the challenges significantly more manageable.

The abilities that Ori makes use of start off small, with you only having access to a light attack. However, it isn’t long before it’s possible to unlock a heavy attack in addition to a ranged attack. It doesn’t even stop there, plus changing them is quite convenient since it’s mapped to a weapon wheel of sorts.

As mentioned before, Ori is a Metroidvania and as such, some backtracking is recommended when obtaining new abilities. This allows you to visit previously inaccessible areas, which can lead to finding items called Spirit Shards. These are great as they offer certain gameplay abilities and you’re able to select which ones you’d like to use, allowing for some choice when it comes to the active perks. These essentially act as Ori’s skill tree and offer more options as you unlock more Shards and slots.

Aside from its main quest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps also sports side quests. These task you with heading to a certain location to retrieve an item for a character you’ve encountered on your journey. Completing these quests reward you with Spirit Light, the game’s currency, which can be used to upgrade your Spirit Shards and ultimately enhance your perks.

Another new feature is Spirit Trials. These are pedestals that can be found throughout the world and actually initiate a race which pits you against a ghost Ori. Winning the race rewards you with Spirit Light, which honestly doesn’t feel like the best reward. However, you are able to upload your best time online, if you want to compete with your friends.

Or and the Will of the Wisps looks gorgeous. It has a beautiful art style and the use of colour was enough to leave me in awe more than once. Each environment also looks and feels notably different from the last, making it feel like a world that is alive. It also helps that the game runs buttery smooth in both handheld and docked mode, making it a feast for the eyes. The audio is also quite on par with the game, featuring a soundtrack that is great to listen to and also results in the emotional moments hitting even harder. It’s really quite an experience.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a truly amazing game. The story, while basic in its premise, is such an excellently told tale that is so compelling from beginning to end. I really fell in love with the characters and felt concerned for every obstacle they faced. The gameplay also works so well thanks to the great controls, which make it rather easy to get into without any real barriers. The entire experience is also conveyed fantastically thanks to the way the visuals and audio complement each other. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a truly breathtaking experience and is definitely one of the best games to be added to the Switch library.

Now got a Nintendo Switch you can also grab the game on Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X and Series S

Want to purchase this version? Head here to the Nintendo Switch eShop and grab it for £24.99.

Enjoy the review? want to read more of our reviews? then click right here to be whisked away to the realm of our opinions.