Forest Spirits

Lore & Background

Ori is a guardian spirit who fell from the Spirit Tree during a storm as a newborn and was raised by a creature named Naru. A cataclysmic event soon makes the forest wither, and Naru dies of starvation. Newly orphaned, Ori explores the forest alone, collapsing near the Spirit Tree and being revived by it. Ori then meets Sein, a small orb who is the "light and eyes" of the Spirit Tree.

Sein tasks Ori with recovering the light of three main elements supporting the balance of Nibel: Waters, Winds, and Warmth. Along the way, Ori encounters Gumo, the last survivor of the spider-like Gumon clan, and Kuro, a giant, shadowy owl hostile toward Ori. The source of Kuro's wrath is revealed: when Ori was lost, the Spirit Tree released a flash of light to look for it, which burned and killed all of Kuro's recently hatched offspring. Kuro had taken away Sein, the core on top of the Spirit Tree, and without it Nibel lost its balance.

After the final element, Warmth, is restored, Kuro attacks Ori and Sein, but Naru arrives to protect Ori. Kuro softens, remembering the pain of losing her children, and takes Sein back to the Spirit Tree, which emits a flash of bright light that dissipates the fire and restores the forest, but Kuro is destroyed by the light. Time passes as the forest flourishes, and Ori watches new spirits being born at the foot of the Spirit Tree, while Naru and Gumo watch from afar and Kuro's last egg begins to hatch.

Reader's Guide

Players are tasked to move between platforms and solve puzzles. The game features a save system called "Soul Links", which allows players to save their progress at will with limited resources, and an upgrade system that allows players to strengthen Ori's skills and abilities. Ori and the Blind Forest is a 2D Metroidvania; a platform game with an emphasis on exploration, collecting items and upgrades, and backtracking to previously inaccessible areas.

As Ori, players must jump, climb, and use various other abilities to navigate the game's world. Sein can shoot Spirit Flames to combat enemies or break obstacles. Ori is required to interact with the environment by jumping from platforms and solving puzzles, and is faced with various enemies. The player helps Ori collect health cells, energy cells, new abilities, and upgrades.

The game world unfolds to the player in the fashion of a Metroidvania, with new abilities allowing the player to access previously inaccessible areas. In addition to scripted save points scattered in the game, players can create "soul links" at any time they choose to serve as checkpoints. However, soul links can only be created using energy cells collected during gameplay; the needed energy is not in abundant supply, forcing players to create them only when necessary.

The player can obtain ability points to gain upgrades and benefits, such as increasing the damage of Sein's Spirit Flame. These upgrades can be achieved when the player has enough ability points to learn the skill they desire, anywhere a soul link has been created. An ability point is gained when Ori collects enough experience by killing enemies, destroying various plants, and finding spirit light containers or ability cells (which instantly awards Ori an ability point).

Each skill must be learned in sequential order from one of three ability trees to allow the next skill to be accessible. Ori can learn new abilities such as wall jumping, and double jumping.

Did You Know?

• Ori and the Blind Forest was released for Windows and Xbox One in March 2015, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2019.
• The game's story was inspired by The Lion King and The Iron Giant, while gameplay elements were inspired by the Rayman and Metroid franchises.
• Moon Studios is a collective organization without a set location, with staffers working from around the world including Austria, Australia, Israel, and the United States.
• The game was profitable for Moon Studios within a few weeks after its initial launch, according to co-founder Gennadiy Korol.
• An expansion called the Definitive Edition was released in March 2016, adding new areas, mechanics, artwork, difficulty levels, and fast travel.