Ori and the Blind Forest
The forest of Nibel is dying. After a powerful storm sets a series of devastating events in motion, an unlikely hero must journey to find his courage and confront a dark nemesis to save his home. Ori and the Blind Forest tells the tale of a young orphan destined for heroics, through a visually stunning action-platformer crafted by Moon Studios for Xbox One and PC. Featuring hand-painted artwork, meticulously animated character performance, and a fully orchestrated score, Ori and the Blind Forest explores a deeply emotional story about love and sacrifice, and the hope that exists in us all.
What it feels like
The emotional core explores love, sacrifice, loss, and decline in the forest's ecosystem with wistful beauty. Despite darkness and loss, the journey emphasizes the courage within and hope that exists in everyone. The emotional storytelling about family, loss, and heroism is sincere and unironic in its impact.
What it's about
A young orphan destined for heroics grows from vulnerability to courage and self-knowledge through the journey. The classic hero's journey structure—an unlikely hero rising to confront dark evil and save his home. Love and sacrifice are explicitly highlighted as emotional cores of the narrative.
How it plays
Platforming challenges—jumping and navigating hazardous geometry—are the core mechanical pillar of the experience. The difficulty and meticulous design demand pixel-level precision in jumps, particularly in later sections. Ori gains aerial abilities that enable expressive air control and flow through the environment.
How it looks and sounds
Hand-painted artwork is explicitly central to the visual identity and is praised as a defining feature of the game. A fully orchestrated score is a core pillar of the experience, driving emotional moments throughout the journey. The game is a 2D side-scrolling action-platformer, making side perspective the fundamental viewpoint.
How it's structured
A bounded, authored story arc about confronting a dark nemesis and saving the home provides a definite narrative arc. Every space is deliberately designed by Moon Studios rather than procedurally generated, with meticulous animation and composition. Designed exclusively as a solo experience with no multiplayer component.
Kindred games
Shares Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D, Metroidvania, Handcrafted World.
Both lean into Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D, Single-Player, Metroidvania.
Shares Hand-Drawn 2D, Side View, Platforming, Handcrafted World.
Both lean into Hand-Drawn 2D, Single-Player, Side View, Platforming.
Shares Platforming, Side View, Precision Platforming, Handcrafted World.
Both lean into Platforming, Side View, Single-Player, Precision Platforming.
See all games like Ori and the Blind Forest →
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Platforming, Metroidvania, Handcrafted World, Orchestral Score. 86% positive across 4,974 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Platforming, Metroidvania, Single-Player, Campaign.
A lesser-known kindred — Hand-Drawn 2D, Love & Romance, Orchestral Score, Melancholic. 95% positive across 4,380 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Hand-Drawn 2D, Single-Player, Love & Romance, Campaign.
A lesser-known kindred — Platforming, Side View, Precision Platforming, Melancholic. 93% positive across 4,688 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Platforming, Side View, Single-Player, Precision Platforming.