The gameplay has a lot of variety to it, as well. At some points, this feels like quite a traditional platformer – you’ll be jumping between platforms, batting away small foes while attempting to avoid the poisonous waters below. At other times, the Metroidvania influences really shine through – you’ll realize that you can only progress by backtracking, picking up a new ability and using it to discover a fresh pathway. The boss battles can get quite big, too, and you’ll find yourself perfecting your timing as you dodge blows and dish out your own damage. And there are sometimes puzzles, as well – you’ll have to use your noggin and move things around to open up the next area.
As you traverse through the forest-like world of the game, you’ll pick up new abilities and weapons. And you’ll have to decide which ones are right for each scenario: there are three button slots in which you can map the weapons of your choice. Some weapons you’ll pick up naturally through gameplay, and others you’ll be able to buy from vendors with the in-game currency that you find along the way. I became very fond of a bow and arrow weapon, but there was a boomerang option that also seemed tempting as a mid-range option – the boomerang did more damage than the bow, but it used a lot more of magical energy to deploy it.
There’s an element of thoughtfulness here – you’ll have to size up exactly which advantages you want at any given point, and you’ll have to keep an eye on how much energy you have left at all times. There’s even an ability that lets you convert magical energy into health, which can help you out in a tight spot while also leaving you very short of magical energy. There’s a balance you’ll need to strike, and different players will have their own preferred methods. It’s very satisfying nailing down your own approach.
Underpinning all of this excitement is a sublime score. From the soothing flow of woodwind instruments to the sharper sounds of the strings, the music that charts your adventure is consistently excellent. And this serves to amp up the emotions, too – the game is quite a simple “save your friend” story, at least to start with, but the music combines with the visuals to make it feel mythic and important. There is a sense of propulsion to the proceedings, too – we always wanted to rush into the next area, to see what treats it had in store. The hours we spent with the game flew by in a flash.
Overall, this is a strong package. The game looks and sounds great, it tugs on your heartstrings, and there is heaps of variety in the gameplay itself. No two areas are the same, and you’ll feel like a real maestro after a few hours of playing. There are some really satisfying skills to learn, including a highly enjoyable mid-air traversal ability: if you combine jumping, double-jumping, and dashing, you can stay airborne for ages and reach ledges that previously seemed impossible to land on. There are lots of little tricks like this, and as you learn more of them and get used to the controls, it feels like the world is opening up all around you. We can’t wait to explore more of it.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps will launch on March 11 for Xbox One and PC.