5/5 ★ – Pixelguy9's review of Ori and the Will of the Wisps.

I've never cried playing a game before, but god damn, this game brought me pretty close to tears at multiple points. In terms of gameplay, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is superior to Ori and the Blind Forest in every way, 'borrowing' many mechanics from its contemporaries to great effect. The story of Ori and the Will of the Wisps is something that I hear disregarded frequently, but I really don't understand why. Although basic, the main story of Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the game's most compelling aspects, introducing memorable characters and containing amazing moments. Ori and the Blind Forest had no boss fights, something that changed with the sequel; Howl, the Horn Beetle, Mora the Spider, corrupted Kwolok, the Willow Stone, and Shriek all offer fun challenges and are often combined with the incredible escape sequences that made Ori and the Blind Forest so memorable. But the two aspects where the game shines most are in the visuals and music. Ori and the Will of the Wisps might just be the best looking game I've ever played, featuring inspired character designs, gorgeous vistas, and impeccable lighting, which all come together perfectly. The game's score, similarly, is perfect. The soundtrack currently holds the position of my favourite videogame score of all time. Gareth Coker perfectly mixes themes from Ori and the Blind Forest with the new tracks to create Ori's signature magical score. The soundtrack carries most of the game's emotional impact, from the hauntingly beautiful main theme and 'Ku's First Flight', to the wave of emotions brought on by the bits of 'Light of Nibel' sprinkled through the soundtrack, culminating in 'Shriek and Ori', undoubtably the game's best track, before finally closing with the heartbreaking, yet hopeful 'Ori, Embracing the Light'. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is by far one of the best metroidvanias ever created, and is without a shadow of a doubt one of my favourite games of all time, still choking me up whenever I hear any music from it. Out of any game I've ever played, this one is one I will recommend above all else to anybody.