Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a platform-adventure game that combines exploration, traversal, and combat within an interconnected world. Designed in a Metroidvania style, it focuses on navigating varied environments, uncovering hidden areas, and acquiring abilities that expand movement and progression options. The game features a system of upgrades and spirit-based skills that support different playstyles, along with environmental challenges and encounters that require timing and precision. Its presentation emphasizes detailed animation and a cohesive audiovisual design that supports both exploration and gameplay.
What it feels like
The exotic world, beautiful presentation, and discovery-focused exploration evoke a childlike sense of wonder at the marvelous. The narrative of Ori's journey and the emphasis on beauty and exploration suggest earned optimism despite environmental challenges. The atmospheric, story-rich presentation and focus on exploration invite reflection and interpretation of the world and Ori's place in it.
What it's about
The narrative focus on 'unraveling Ori's destiny' through a vast world suggests a transformative journey as the story spine. The exotic world setting and environmental focus imply natural beauty and ecosystem as a central subject.
How it plays
Platforming through varied environments with jumping and navigation hazards is a foundational pillar of the moment-to-moment gameplay. Environmental challenges and encounters require timing and precision, indicating demanding jump execution rather than purely casual platforming. Spirit-based skills support traversal options that expand movement capabilities, consistent with aerial mobility mechanics in modern Metroidvanias.
How it looks and sounds
The series is known for detailed hand-drawn animation and illustrated 2D art that emphasizes visual expressiveness. The detailed animation and cohesive audiovisual design with 'beautiful' as a dominant user tag suggests saturated, bold color as part of the visual identity. The 'Great Soundtrack' user tag and 'cohesive audiovisual design' consistent with the series' acclaimed orchestral score.
How it's structured
The game is explicitly designed in Metroidvania style with ability-gated progression and an interconnected world that rewards backtracking with newly acquired traversal powers. Explicitly described as single-player with no multiplayer component mentioned. The emphasis on detailed animation and cohesive design of varied environments signals a carefully authored world rather than procedural generation.
Kindred games
Shares Platforming, Handcrafted World, Vibrant Color, Wondrous.
Both lean into Single-Player, Platforming, Handcrafted World, Wondrous.
Shares Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D, Metroidvania, Handcrafted World.
Both lean into Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D, Single-Player, Metroidvania.
Shares Handcrafted World, Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D, Wondrous.
Both lean into Single-Player, Handcrafted World, Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D.
See all games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps →
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Metroidvania, Platforming, Handcrafted World, Seamless World. 86% positive across 4,974 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Metroidvania, Platforming, Single-Player, Handcrafted World.
A lesser-known kindred — Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D, Vibrant Color, Handcrafted World. 98% positive across 4,211 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Single-Player, Platforming, Hand-Drawn 2D, Vibrant Color.
A lesser-known kindred — Platforming, Handcrafted World, Environmental Puzzles, Journey & Pilgrimage. 85% positive across 4,626 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Single-Player, Platforming, Handcrafted World, Environmental Puzzles.