Ori and the Will of the Wisps – Review Thread

Game Information

Game Title: Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Platforms:

• Xbox One (Mar 11, 2020)
• PC (Mar 11, 2020)

Trailers:

• Ori and the Will of the Wisps – E3 2018 – Gameplay Trailer
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps – E3 2017 – 4K Teaser Trailer

Publisher: Microsoft

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic – 90 average – 98% recommended – 46 reviews

Critic Reviews

3DNews – Денис Щенников – Russian – 10 / 10

Ori and the Blind Forest was an outstanding masterpiece. Ori and the Will of Wisps is even better. It's a shame that bugs ruin overall great experience. Hope they will be fixed by the day one update.

ACG – Jeremy Penter – Buy

"An amazing sequel to an already enjoyable game that somehow turns the original a bit on its head and comes out with something fantastic."

Areajugones – Ramón Baylos – Spanish – 8.6 / 10

Moon Studios returns to form with a sequel that has managed to expand the well-established bases of its predecessor with great success and keeping the essence of the franchise intact.

AusGamers – KostaAndreadis – 9 / 10

An experience where you begin to question if such a traversal move is possible, can it be done – is that really the way forward? The answer is almost always yes, and in this regard the sheer speed, fluidity, and scope of Ori's fundamental movement – that is moving the analogue stick so the glow-y spirit thing can do its thing – is phenomenal.

COGconnected – Alexander Thomas – 94 / 100

Quote not yet available

Cerealkillerz – Gabriel Bogdan – German – 9.1 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is probably the most beautiful Xbox One exclusive game so far and offers, thanks to a lot of well made gameplay adjustments a lot of new ways for players to experience and explore this amazing emotional adventure. Even when the NPCs of the world don't really make a big impact and the game suffered from some bugs and loading issues before Day One, every Xbox One/PC owner should definitely get this game.

Critical Hit – Brad Lang – 9 / 10

So far, Ori and the Will of the Wisps has taken my breath away. It's possibly one of the most aesthetically gorgeous games I've ever played, even if some parts do feel like they've been ripped straight from the first game and the soundtrack is masterful in every sense of the word.

Destructoid – Chris Carter – 9.5 / 10

With the need to go bigger, Ori and the Will of the Wisps loses some of the simplicity and innocence of the original game, but it steps up in turn with bite and refinement. It's the perfect companion to Ori and the Blind Forest, and is an early defining moment of the decade to come.

DualShockers – Michael Ruiz – 8.5 / 10

There is trouble with the tree.

EGM – Michael Goroff – 8 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps does everything that a good sequel is supposed to do. It refines The Blind Forest's mechanics, expands on the world, and throws in a whole bunch of new moves and concepts. But in an era that's rich with "emotional platformers," Will of the Wisps doesn't do anything to make itself stand out. It's a fine, if not forgettable, experience.

Echo Boomer – David Fialho – Portuguese – Loved

An excelent follow-up to 2015 game, that expands the world of Ori in ambitious and emotional ways.

Everyeye.it – Marco Mottura – Italian – 9 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the worthy sequel of one of the best games ever published on Xbox One: a stellar return by Moon Studios, one that confirms the talent of a very unique software house. Too bad for some technical flaws and for a code that appears to be a lot less polished than expected: even as it is Will of the Wisps remains a game that's impossible to miss, stating once again the importance and the diversity of this franchise inside the Xbox galaxy.

Game Informer – Andrew Reiner – 9.5 / 10

Better than its predecessor and a little longer, Will of the Wisps pounds out excitement at every turn

GameSpew – Richard Seagrave – 9 / 10

Quote not yet available

Gamer Guides – Ben Chard – 5 / 5 stars

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a masterpiece in every single way. A thought provoking storyline, unbelievable music and plenty of customization. This is Ori bigger and better in every single way and a strong contender for game of the generation.

Gamerheadquarters – Jason Stettner – 8 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps would be a masterpiece of an experience; one that you could describe as a perfect example of a game as art, held back by some technical issues.

Gamers Heroes – Blaine Smith – 90 / 100

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a game of passion, made from the heart. Featuring charming characters, a vibrant world filled with mystery and intrigue, and genre-leading platforming action, you will struggle to find a single experience that encompasses the artistic values of video games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps.

Gamersky – Chinese – 9.2 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a masterpiece even compared with its prequel. It's one of the greatest platformers in recent years and nearly perfect in terms of the open-world, the narrative, and the combat.

GamesRadar+ – Austin Wood – 4.5 / 5 stars

A gorgeous, tear-jerking platformer which improves on absolutely everything in the first game and ranks among the finest Metroidvanias available today.

GamingBolt – Shubhankar Parijat – 10 / 10

With Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Moon Studios have realized the full potential of their debut title, and entered the upper echelons of Metroidvania history.

God is a Geek – Chris Hyde – 9 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a fantastic sequel. It builds on the original with a few new ideas to deliver a complete experience.

GotGame – David Poole – 9.5 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a truly gorgeous spectacle of a platformer. The level design is fantastic and the variety in the gameplay keeps things fresh and invigorating. Gareth Coker’s music sets the mood perfectly, making the experience much more emotional and endearing. The combat keeps things challenging and allows for plenty of experimenting, and really feels like a progression to the Ori formula. Overall, this sequel reaches the bar the original game set, and climbs even further to make an incredible journey.

Hardcore Gamer – Jordan Helm – 5 / 5

There are times when you feel obliged to find faults no matter how minor, but in the ten-plus hours spent with Moon Studios' latest, there are none.

Hobby Consolas – Rafael Aznar – Spanish – Unscored

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a metroidvania like no other. It is beautiful, emotional, fun, varied, intense… Moon Studios has taken the formula of the first game and has evolved it in the right way. However, it has some critical issues, so we will wait for the day 1 patch to consider the score.

IGN – Brandin Tyrrel – 9 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an excellent return to this bright and beautiful open-world platformer, with an affecting story to bolster the white-knuckle challenge.

IGN Italy – Italian – 9.3 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the best game of this generation, thanks to a compelling story, a brand new combat system and a great variety of contents that make it an amazing successor to Moon Studios' interpretation of the metroidvania genre.

Jack of All Controllers – AJ LeFor – 10 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps deserves to be on a pedestal. It’s a game that showcases every aspect of design to perfection. I tried to find a flaw, I really did, but I was only met with beauty every time.

MSPoweruser – Lewis White – 9.5 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the finest platformers available on consoles, let alone on just Xbox One and PC. Moon Studios has crafted a sequel that truly evolves from the original game and that will keep your attention from start to finish.

PC Gamer – Tyler Wilde – 81 / 100

It's inconsistent and sometimes annoying, but ultimately a charming, challenging, heart-string-pulling fable.

PCGamesN – Phil Iwaniuk – 7 / 10

A haunting journey through a woodland with a real sense of place, but its breadth of mechanics silts up the pacing. Phil Iwaniuk

PCWorld – Hayden Dingman – 4 / 5 stars

the Wisps is more than the sum of its parts. Is it just another Metroid homage, one among many? Absolutely. I think it’s one of the best-playing, sure, but it’s still well-trod territory of late.

Player.it – Simone Alvaro Segatori – Italian – 9.5 / 10

This second chapter is a long journey, which not only pleases the eyes, but is also able to conquer the player's heart and soul.

Player2.net.au – A or higher

It feels far more like the MetroidVania that its predecessor intended to be, and improves on everything else that the original title did so well. Ori & The Will of the Wisps is a wonder to behold, a joy to play, and a must-have for anyone with the means to play it.

PowerUp! – Leo Stevenson – 7.7 / 10

In spite of all of the issues, the lacklustre combat and the reduced impact due to coming back for a second go, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is still great. If nothing else, the exploration and movement are absolutely top-notch.

Press Start – Brodie Gibbons – 9 / 10

While Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a sequel that'll challenge your resolve and temper your spirit at times, its final act will fill your heart and have it bursting with joie de vivre.

Rectify Gaming – Dave Rodriguez – 9.5 / 10

“More than a mere sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps innovates and excels in creating a bigger and bolder adventure in every way imaginable.”

Rock, Paper, Shotgun – Cian Maher – Unscored

Presuming these techy mishaps are rectified, Ori And The Will Of The Wisps is one of the most charming, engaging, visually striking and emotionally touching games I’ve played in a long time. It’s difficult but fair, complex but intuitive, and gruelling but conquerable.

Shacknews – Chris Jarrard – 8 / 10

We are living in the golden age of metroidvanias and Will of the Wisps will deserve to stand with the best of the bunch should its technical shortcomings be resolved.

Stevivor – Ben Salter – 9 / 10

Moon Studios has built upon its own great work to delver a fantastic sequel.

TheSixthAxis – Dominic Leighton – 10 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps builds on its predecessor's near-perfect Metroidvania platforming and grows the concept to wonderful effect. A game that's as much about rebirth, hope and wonder as it is death and decay, Will of the Wisps is a beautiful, enchanting piece of fantasy, and an instant classic.

TrustedReviews – Ryan Jones – Unscored

Ori and the Will of the Wisps comes close to being the perfect sequel. With greatly improved combat, an endearing story book vibe and jaw-dropping platforming spectacles, Will of the Wisps has the potential to become one of the best titles in the Xbox's first-party library. Unfortunately, there are so many technical issues on the Xbox One S right now that it’s difficult to recommend.

Twinfinite – Chris Jecks – Unscored

The game blends calm with its stunning backdrop, cute characters, and heartfelt story of friendship and selflessness with chaos thanks to sudden chase sequences that have you sprinting across the screen in a test of your platforming prowess.

We’ll have our full review published just as soon as I’ve sat down with Ori and the Will of the Wisps’ updates that focus on improving performance and resolving technical issues.

Wccftech – Rosh Kelly – 8.7 / 10

Ori and the Will of Wisps is a truly delightful and devastating game that blends new ideas into a solid foundation, all topped off with an incredible score and even more breathtaking levels to explore.

WellPlayed – Kieron Verbrugge – 8 / 10

A worthy follow-up to the beloved classic that hits and exceeds most of the same high notes while delivering a heartfelt and emotional new chapter in Ori's journey. Let's just hope that Day One patch does what it's supposed to…

Windows Central – Jez Corden – 4.5 / 5 stars

Ori and the Will of the Wisps triumphs despite some rough edges, with what might be the most satisfying and evocative platformer ever made.

Worth Playing – Chris "Atom" DeAngelus – 9 / 10

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is bigger and more polished than the original title. I can't recommend playing it before the original, if only because the plot relies on you having played the first game. Otherwise, this is an absolute must-play for fans of the genre. Some minor quibbles and a few annoying bugs hold it back, but hopefully, those will be addressed by the day-one patch. If you've been waiting for Will of the Wisps, you'll be extremely pleased.