Ori

Lore & Background

Ori's story begins when they fell from the Spirit Tree during a storm as a newborn and were raised by Naru. When a cataclysmic event made the forest wither, Naru died of starvation, leaving Ori orphaned. After collapsing near the Spirit Tree and being revived, Ori met Sein, who guided them on a journey to restore the forest. Along the way, they encountered Gumo, the last survivor of the simian-like Gumon clan, and Kuro, a giant shadowy owl hostile toward Ori.

The source of Kuro's wrath was revealed when Ori and Sein found Kuro's nest, containing two eggs: the Spirit Tree had released a flash of light to look for Ori, which destroyed two of Kuro's eggs, but one egg survived. In retaliation, Kuro stole Sein—the light and eyes of the Spirit Tree—from the Spirit Tree's summit after Ori and Sein had retrieved it from the Ginso Tree, causing Nibel to lose its balance. After the final element, Warmth, was restored in Mount Horu, Kuro attacked, but Naru arrived to protect Ori.

Kuro softened, remembering the pain of losing her children, and took Sein back to the Spirit Tree, whose flash of light restored the forest but destroyed her. Time passed, the forest flourished, and Ori watched new spirits being born at the foot of the Spirit Tree.

Reader's Guide

Ori is a small white guardian spirit who, alongside Sein (the light and eyes of the Spirit Tree), must navigate a 2D Metroidvania world. Players control Ori to jump, climb, and use various abilities to explore, while Sein shoots Spirit Flames to combat enemies or break obstacles. The player helps Ori collect health cells, energy cells, new abilities, and upgrades. The game world unfolds in Metroidvania fashion, with new abilities allowing access to previously inaccessible areas.

Players can create "soul links" at any time using energy cells, which are scarce, forcing strategic decisions. Ability points are gained by killing enemies, destroying plants, and finding spirit light containers or ability cells. Skills are learned sequentially from one of three ability trees. Key turning points include the loss of Naru, the discovery of Kuro's motivation, and the final restoration of the forest. Ori can learn abilities such as wall jumping and double jumping.

Narrative Arc and Emotional Depth

The Spirit Tree narrates the story of Ori, who fell from it as a newborn and was raised by Naru. A cataclysmic event withered the forest, and Naru died of starvation. Ori was revived by the Spirit Tree and met Sein, who guided them to restore the forest by recovering the light of three elements: Waters, Winds, and Warmth. They encountered Gumo, the last of the Gumon clan, and Kuro, a giant shadowy owl. In Kuro's nest, they found a single egg and learned that the Spirit Tree's flash of light to find Ori had killed Kuro's hatchlings. Kuro had taken Sein, causing Nibel to lose balance. After restoring Warmth in Mount Horu, Kuro attacked, but Naru arrived to protect Ori. Kuro softened, returned Sein to the Spirit Tree, and the tree's light restored the forest but destroyed Kuro. The forest flourished, and Ori watched new spirits being born.

Development Origins and Studio Structure

Ori and the Blind Forest was developed by Moon Studios, a collective organization without a set location, with staff working from around the world including Austria, Australia, Israel, and the United States. The game was developed for four years before release. Microsoft acquired distribution rights about a year after development started. The story was inspired by The Lion King and The Iron Giant, while gameplay elements were inspired by the Rayman and Metroid franchises. The game was released for Windows and Xbox One in March 2015, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2019. Moon Studios co-founder Gennadiy Korol said the game was profitable within a few weeks after its initial launch. An expansion, the Definitive Edition, was released in March 2016. A direct sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, was announced at E3 2017 and released on March 11, 2020.

Critical Reception and Industry Legacy

Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, with players praising the gameplay, art direction, story, action sequences, musical score, and environmental design. The game was named as a title that represented art in video games. Moon Studios co-founder Gennadiy Korol said the game was profitable for the company within a few weeks after its initial launch. The success led to a Definitive Edition expansion in March 2016 and a direct sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, announced at E3 2017 and released on March 11, 2020.