Title: Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Platform: Nintendo Switch eShop
Developer: Moon Studios
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios (formerly Microsoft Studios)
Release Date: September 27th, 2019 (NA)
File Size: 3.5GB
Review copy provided by Microsoft
I CANNOT believe what I’m typing here! We’re in a truly bizarro world folks! Hell’s frozen over, cats and dogs, living together, mass hysteria! Indeed, it’s not April Fool’s Day, I’m reviewing a 100% Microsoft (owned AND published) game… on a NINTENDO system! 
So Microsoft is no stranger to Nintendo hardware, even post Xbox. But this is the first true Microsoft-original franchise (meaning not Minecraft, which Microsoft only bought in 2014), that Microsoft are full-fledged publishing on a Nintendo system. Minecraft is published through their subsidiary Mojang and is only by Microsoft themselves in Japan. So yeah. Hi welcome to my first ever Xbox Switch review, please enjoy! 😛 So after you let this set in for the next half hour, how does this game actually fare? Lets find out of course!
Ori awakens!
Ori and the Blind Forest debuted of course as an Xbox One title (apparently it was supposed to be released for Xbox 360 at one point but that version was cancelled) back in 2015. It was created by the independent (not Microsoft-owned) Moon Studios. This is a 2D platformer Metroidvania game in really every way shape or form.
Finding a Life Shard that as said heals your health.
Our story begins when during a thunderstorm, a ball of light falls from the sky and passes by a creature named Naru (no, no, not a certain ninja). Immediately after this cutscene you take control of Naru and get adjusted to the movement controls and the like. Quickly you discover that this light was actually another, tiny creature named (you guessed it) Ori. Naru immediately adopts Ori and becomes its mama.
Finding one of the many special trees that grant you new abilities.
After some time has passed, Ori winds up all alone and you have to survive in this vast world. You’re tasked with finding the spirit tree and your quest will move on from there. To get there, you’ll have to traverse through dark forests, fighting these mysterious pollution-like enemies that are covered in purple dust clouds and are overall just plain unpleasant to little Ori. Not too long into the game, you find a tiny tree that introduces you to your little spirit companion named Siri. Siri becomes your weapon. Siri allows you to shoot spirit flames at opponents, finally allowing you to defend yourself.
One later example of a difficult area, so you can see how tricky things can get.
And that’s where I can start explaining things more. The game again is a 2D platformer. You run, jump, attack, do the usual 2D platforming stuff. If you’ve played games like the genre name-inspired Metroid and Castlevania series, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect here. Throughout, you’ll find new upgrades such as new moves, more health, more energy to use abilities with, the like. The last bit I’m referring to are the Soul Gems. These allow you to generate a special flame that acts as a checkpoint (for when you die) and your method of saving. You start with one but can eventually get multiple gem metres and using this flame costs one gem in the metre for example.
A later area showing just how jaw-dropping gorgeous this game can look.
Eventually Ori can learn techniques such as wall-jumping that allows you to repeatedly jump up walls (think Mega Man X). Other abilities include a Charge Flame that shoots a big burst of energy (also costing one soul gem), a double jump, a downward punch, etc. Also on your journey, you’ll collect yellow balls of light that are basically a sort of currency, but it’s to unlock Ability Cells, which let you upgrade Ori at save points. Upgrades include buffing your default Spirit Flame attack (with more power and flames before stopping), lowering soul gem cost for flame bursts and saving, better health when picking up the green Life Cells, etc.
Your map (accessed with “-“) which you grow by putting map fragments on large round stones.
Presentation-wise, this may very well be the most beautiful 2D platformer I have ever played. I think it can be described as like a western Vanillaware title. Vanillaware of course being behind Odin Sphere and Muramasa The Demon Blade to give you an idea. Everything is gorgeously hand-drawn like a painting come to life. It’s VERY Disney or Don Bluth-esc, it’s NUTS! Character designs are adorable and awesome, like this evil Owl named Kuro who you’ll see a bit into the game. very Legend of the Guardians-esc.
The mysterious evil Owl named Kuro who hates the light.
Music-wise it’s so BEAUTIFUL! Very atmospheric and moody. Its hard to describe it. Disney-esc again fits here I think. It’s got a very orchestral-feel to it. There’s no voice-acting per se, it’s all in gibberish that sort of reminds me of Okami (hell Siri sounds like Issun no less). You also occasionally get “narration” by a deep-voiced narrator that while he’s speaking gibberish vocally, you’ll see the translated text literally passing by in the background in a storybook-like fashion. That’s really cool. What is this, Winnie-the-Pooh? 😛
Here’s the large world map. You’ll be able to fast travel via save wells found throughout.
Finally, THERE’S XBOX LIVE SUPPORT! As soon as you get to the title screen for the first time, you’ll be given the option of linking to your actual Microsoft account. You do this via a code provided for you to enter at Microsoft’s website where able. Once you do that you’re all connected! Real Achievements are supported, so this is as real of an Xbox game as it’ll ever get. Minecraft on Switch was the first to do this. Cuphead on Switch in fact is set to get XBL support in the same way as well… we just don’t know when! 😛 Also this will get a retail release if I recall in the future as well.
And here’s the achievements menu! Just try beating the game on one life.
Overall this cannot get any higher of a recommendation for me if it tried. I may have just found my game of the year. It’s gorgeous, fun, emotional. Its a legit experience really. AND it’s super cheap! It’s only $20 USD/$25 CDN. This is probably better than a giant chunk of $60 USD/$80 CDN games you’ll buy this year… maybe, but it COULD BE! 😛 If I had any complaints, it’s that it can get VERY challenging. BUT, you do have infinite lives. Just remember to save very often in more hostile environments. You’ll lose any progress you’ve made since your last save. Only in certain story scenes will it auto-save, so be ready just in case!
You’ll Love:
+ Gorgeous, both visually and audibly. It even runs in 1080p and 60fps in docked mode and 720p and 60fps in portable mode. Moon did basically the best they ever could have with this port. And this is running on Unity!
+ The gameplay is legit very fun. Finding new secrets and new places is very exciting!
+ I really dig the gibberish voice-acting. Certainly adds a sort of “timelessness” element to it. It also helps translate the game to other languages.
+ XBL support is mind-blowing and surreal.
+ Grinding for ability cell experience is very fun if you’re a grinder in RPGs like I am. 😛
+ Has cloud save, screenshot, and video capture support.
You’ll Hate:
– Later parts can get very tricky and difficult. Luckily you have infinite lives… except one achievement demands you beat the whole game… on one life. OH GOD.
– Might be just me, but some stuff doesn’t respawn consistently. Like lamps or enemies even if you leave and come back. Sometimes they do and other times they don’t, like singular examples. Just an odd thing I’ve observed. Might be that way on Xbox One also. Likely the way the game handles loading areas. There’s no loading times once you’re in the game itself.
Score: 10/10 (2019 Game of the Year)