Games of the Decade #10 – Ori and the Blind Forest

I mentioned in my last post that I would be winding down how much I publish on my blog for the next 4 months, which is due to my focus on Uni work. However, I have decided instead to do my ‘Games of the Decade’ countdown over the next months. Every one or two weeks I will write a short post about one of the games on my list, counting down to the one I think is the greatest game of the decade. By focusing on short posts, I will be able to continue writing regular content on the blog for you to read and not have month-long gaps. I cannot wait for you to see which games I consider to be the best of the 2010s. Let’s get started.

The opening to Ori and the Blind Forest is one I will not forget. The uplifting music and sweet, beginning scenes take a deeply saddening turn, I had instant callbacks to the Pixar film Up. It soon becomes your goal to restore the dying forest to its original state, by recovering the light of the different elements that support it. The story will have you traversing sinister forests, dangerous volcanoes, glistening lakes and treacherous passes. It has such beautiful storytelling, that culminates in a very satisfying and emotional conclusion. 

The gameplay is fast-paced and requires much precision and skill. It has quite a steep difficulty curve, which can lead to a lot of frustration in certain parts. However, the game never feels unfair. As long as you learn and become confident in the game’s mechanics and Ori’s abilities, you will be able to push through the tough segments. The game is incredibly satisfying to play, owing to the responsive and engaging controls. 

Both the music and visuals really stick out from the crowd and elevate the game to new heights. The audio design and soundtrack play a huge role in the narrative make-up. It’s perfectly crafted to enhance the atmosphere in each scene and area. Right from the beginning moments mentioned earlier, to exploring the world and key moments in the game, the music is there to enrich the overall experience and make it memorable. The gorgeous graphical style really is striking. The colours are vibrant and make you fell as if you’ve fallen into a painting. It is a testament to the idea that you don’t always need realistic graphics to make your game look great and stand out.

Ori and the Blind Forest is a game that will stick with me for years to come and I cannot wait for the sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, in March. 

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed it, as well as looking forward to what other games made my list of the greatest this decade. For all things gaming, stay tuned to Honest Gamer.

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