Ori and the Blind Forest

Ori and the Blind Forest is a 2D Metroidvania game created by Moon Studios and released by Microsoft Studios. It launched on Windows and Xbox One in March 2015, with a Nintendo Switch version following in September 2019. Players control Ori, a small white spirit, alongside Sein, described as the light and eyes of the Forest’s Spirit Tree. The gameplay involves moving between platforms and solving puzzles. A key feature is the "Soul Links" save system, which lets players manually save their progress using a limited resource, along with an upgrade system to enhance Ori’s skills and abilities.

Moon Studios operated as a collective without a fixed location. Microsoft acquired the distribution rights a year after development began. The story drew inspiration from *The Lion King* and *The Iron Giant*, while gameplay elements were influenced by the *Rayman* and *Metroid* series.

The game was widely praised by critics for its gameplay, art direction, story, action sequences, music, and environmental design, and was cited as an example of art in video games. Moon Studios co-founder Gennadiy Korol noted that the game turned a profit within weeks of its initial launch. A Definitive Edition expansion came out in March 2016, and a direct sequel, *Ori and the Will of the Wisps*, was announced at E3 2017 and released on March 11, 2020.

**Gameplay**

As a 2D Metroidvania, the game focuses on exploration, collecting items and upgrades, and returning to earlier areas with new abilities. The player controls Ori, a white guardian spirit, and Sein, who can fire Spirit Flames to fight enemies or break obstacles. Ori must jump, climb, and use other abilities to navigate, interact with the environment, and solve puzzles while facing various foes. Players gather health cells, energy cells, new abilities, and upgrades. The world opens up in typical Metroidvania fashion, with new powers granting access to previously unreachable spots.

Besides fixed save points, players can create "soul links" anywhere as checkpoints, but this requires energy cells collected during play. Energy is scarce, so players must use soul links sparingly. Ability points let players gain upgrades—like boosting Sein’s Spirit Flame damage—anywhere a soul link has been placed, provided they have enough points.